Detroit Free Press article on Mickey Berce.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Running back Joique Bell hasn't been the only Wayne State football player trying to attract NFL attention at the Senior Bowl.
Mickey Berce, who played quarterback for the Warriors in 2004-08, came to Mobile on his own looking to land an entry-level position in an NFL front office. His dream is to be a general manager.
The Senior Bowl is an NFL job fair as well as an All-Star game, with all kinds of unemployed coaches, scouts and others trying to get a foot in the door (or back in it).
Berce took the longest road trip of his 23-year-old life, driving his dad's Ford Five Hundred the 975 miles south from Dearborn. He wasn't issued a credential, but he wore a Wayne State football jacket, and, well, let's just say it worked out.
"I just kind of act like I know where I'm going," Berce said. "I just kind of say, 'Hey, how you doing?' and just walk in."
Berce came prepared with résumés and a spreadsheet of conversation starters. He sought out Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery, who is from Garden City and attended Wayne State; Browns general manager Tom Heckert, an Adrian native who went to Hillsdale; as well as Lions president Tom Lewand, Lions pro personnel director Sheldon White and anyone else he could.
Berce's father, Rob, played at Virginia with George Allen and Doug Parcells, the brothers of Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells, so he tried to use those connections, too.
If he doesn't find a job at the Senior Bowl, Berce might head to the NFL scouting combine next month. At least that's in Indianapolis.
"It's closer," Berce said, smiling.