Keefe’s dream realized

It was one of those serendipitous, life-changing moments. The phone call. A great job offer. The timing seemed right. The money seemed quite right.

Rob Keefe’s buddy called from Cleveland on Feb. 2. His friend was doing well in the insurance business and he wanted Keefe to join the company. Keefe, who spent two gratifying seasons with the Spokane Shock in 2006-07, had worked out for several Arena Football League teams, but his cell phone had been quiet for a while.

So Keefe hung up the shoulder pads, took the job, made piles of cash and … wait a minute. Hold the phone. Who is that on the other line?

Turns out it was Philadelphia Soul coach Bret Munsey. Keefe couldn’t flip over in time to take the call, but Munsey left a message saying he wanted Keefe to come to training camp. There were no promises, just an opportunity.

Suddenly, Keefe’s decision to give up the dream was turned upside down. Keefe accepted Munsey’s invitation. Two days later, he was in Philadelphia.

Those who followed Keefe’s two years with the Shock probably can figure out what he did after the Soul cracked open the door to training camp. He was one of 12 defensive backs, but made the practice squad as the fifth DB. He spent the first half of the season practicing, learning and waiting. Finally, he had a meeting with Munsey, who told him three other AFL teams had expressed interest in Keefe.

Another life-changing moment followed.

“Coach Munsey asked me what I was thinking,” Keefe said. “I said, ‘If I’m not going to play here and I have a chance to start on other teams … but I said give it a couple days.’ We had the Dallas game on Monday night.”

Two defensive backs sustained injuries in that game and Keefe immediately moved into the starting lineup. He’s already played against ex-Shock teammates Charles Frederick (Kansas City) and Alex Teems (Cleveland).

Keefe has started four straight games and he’s also returning kicks. Philadelphia (10-3) has a bye this week, so Keefe has returned to Spokane to visit his girlfriend, Stephanie, and the Shock organization. He’ll attend Saturday’s game against Stockton.

Touching down in Spokane late last Friday triggered a flood of memories. Keefe became a fan favorite with 10 interceptions in 2006 as the Shock won the ArenaCup in their inaugural season. Spokane added a division title last year.

“Spokane means a lot more to me than just football,” Keefe said.

Keefe, 27, had a couple of nomadic years in arenafootball2 before he signed with Spokane. Then coach Chris Siegfried wanted Keefe to play receiver and defensive back. Keefe effectively lobbied to concentrate on defense.

“Af2 helped me not take anything for granted,” he said. “I’m the only guy on the (Soul) that was on an af2 team last year. We have probably 8-9guys that were drafted (by the NFL).”

Keefe’s paychecks now run $1,850 per game compared to the af2 wage of $200 ($250 after a win). He’s spoiled himself with a new laptop and upgraded cell phone, and he’s thinking about buying a new car.

He sees numerous parallels with the Shock and Soul franchises. Spokane leads af2 in attendance at 10,628 per game; Philadelphia is second in AFL at 16,454. Several Soul players accepted below market pay for the chance to play for a winner.

Keefe said Jon Bon Jovi has a hands-on approach as Soul majority owner. Ex-NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski is the team president.

“We have our fan base mainly because of Bon Jovi,” Keefe said. “Jaworski is there every day, wearing his button-down shirt with Soul colors. It’ll be fourth down in a game and he’ll be like, ‘C’mon Keefe, you can do it,’ because he’s right by the bench.”

Keefe has been impressed with the Shock roster.

“A good bunch of guys and really athletic,” he said. “The record speaks for itself.”

So does Keefe’s.

“You think of ‘Keefense,’ ” said Shock receiver Raul Vijil, recalling the signs some Shock fans waved at home games. “He brought that instant intensity and love for the game.”

Added second-year head coach Adam Shackleford: “He’s a guy that has an open pass here, even 10 years from now, and I hope someday when he’s done playing I can get him on the coaching staff.”

For now, Keefe is busy chasing the dream. And that means listening to Munsey’s phone message every now and then. He’s replayed it for his parents and girlfriend.

“I was at a point where I was letting (football) go and somebody was telling me not to,” Keefe said. “I have to re-save that message every 20 days, otherwise it will be deleted. It’s great when you work so hard for something and see it come to fruition. I wish every guy I’ve played with the last 3-4 years can experience it.”