PS17 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 By Rich Cimini ESPNNewYork.com Darrelle Revis was in Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend when he was recognized by a Hispanic boy. The kid didn't speak much English, but he ran up to the New York Jets star and started shouting, "Revis Island! Revis Island!" Revis couldn't help but laugh. Cornerbacks aren't supposed to receive the rock-star treatment -- it's a phenomenon usually reserved for quarterbacks -- but he has transcended boundaries. He's got the game, the charisma and the catch phrase -- Revis Island, which he's trying to copyright. It's the perfect storm for athletic celebrity. "I'm not saying this because I'm his best friend, but it's out of control," said John Geiger, who has known Revis since their childhood days in Western Pennsylvania. Geiger, 24, hired two months ago as Revis' business manager, has witnessed Revis' growing popularity from the best seat in the house. They met as high school basketball rivals, Revis from Aliquippa, Pa., Geiger from nearby McKees Rocks, and they became friends while playing on the same AAU summer team. Revis was the point guard, Geiger a 6-5 shooting guard. Their team made it to the nationals before getting blown out by a squad that featured Rudy Gay, currently of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Since then, Geiger has been riding shotgun in Revis' career, going from friend to confidante -- man-to-man coverage, if you will. At times, he marvels at Revis' stature. Examples: He was with Revis when rapper Ice T approached and told him, "I'm a fan of yours." He was with Revis at a nightclub in Miami during Super Bowl week when they were informed by a bodyguard that rapper Lil Wayne wanted to meet Revis. "That's when I knew he was big," said Geiger, who graduated last December from Point Park University in Pittsburgh with a degree in criminal justice. One time, they bumped into rapper Snoop Dogg, who simply replied, "Revis Island." Geiger travels with Revis around the country, and he's amazed that so many people use the "Revis Island" reference. When the mayor of New York refers to Manhattan as Revis Island, as hizzoner Michael Bloomberg did last January during a pep rally before a Jets playoff game, it's bound to catch on. Part of Geiger's job as business manager is to sift through endorsement opportunities, and he said he's flooded with them on a daily basis. In the coming days, Revis will debut in new commercials for Nike and Dick's Sporting Goods, the latter with a Revis Island reference in the spot. Geiger handles publicity for Revis, makes travel arrangements and manages his schedule -- pretty much everything except negotiate his football contract. That job falls to Revis' New York-based agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, who are trying to secure a long-term extension. Asked to describe a side of Revis that fans may not know, Geiger mentioned his friend's fledgling career as a rap artist. Revis writes his own lyrics and performs, sometimes spending several hours in a studio. "I've seen him in a studio until 3 a.m., then go to practice," Geiger said. "He's like a damn machine." Geiger knew Revis was destined for something special on Dec. 14, 2006, the night of the Pitt star's famous punt-return touchdown against West Virginia. It was voted ESPN's College Football Play of the Year. "I was at my aunt's pizza shop, making pizza," Geiger said. "I had the dough in hands when I saw the play on TV. I'm like, 'Hey, that's my best friend.'" Four years later, Revis is making the dough, and Geiger is helping to manage it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Asked to describe a side of Revis that fans may not know, Geiger mentioned his friend's fledgling career as a rap artist. Revis writes his own lyrics and performs, sometimes spending several hours in a studio. "I've seen him in a studio until 3 a.m., then go to practice," Geiger said. "He's like a damn machine." . I always laugh when these athletes become 'artists'. who the hell is gonna say 'uh u suck' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aec4 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Four years later, Revis is making the dough, and Geiger mooching off of it. Fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klecko73isGod Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 One time, they bumped into rapper Snoop Dogg, who simply replied, "Revis Island." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aten Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Fixed. The guy who lines up sponsors for your softball team doesn't count as a business manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I love Darrelle Revis. I really do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspegs Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Geigers the man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Banner Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Asked to describe a side of Revis that fans may not know, Geiger mentioned his friend's fledgling career as a rap artist. Revis writes his own lyrics and performs, sometimes spending several hours in a studio. "I've seen him in a studio until 3 a.m., then go to practice," Geiger said. "He's like a damn machine." His feet of clay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Banner Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 He's got the game, the charisma and the catch phrase -- Revis Island, which he's trying to copyright. It would be cool if his business manager was at least smart enough to know that the applicable legal route here would be to trademark the term, not copyright it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villain_the_foe Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Darrelle Revis was in Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend when he was recognized by a Hispanic boy. The kid didn't speak much English, but he ran up to the New York Jets star and started shouting, "Revis Island! Revis Island!" Revis couldn't help but laugh. Cornerbacks aren't supposed to receive the rock-star treatment -- it's a phenomenon usually reserved for quarterbacks -- but he has transcended boundaries. Revis will probably use this statement in his negotiations lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villain_the_foe Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 His feet of clay. and iron. lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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