This fall, Storage.com partnered with the Boomer Esiason Foundation to fight cystic fibrosis. During the Self Storage Association Fall Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas, we donated $200 per storage facility signup to the foundation, but we also had the pleasure of hosting Dave Rimington, the foundation’s president, as our guest.
Rimington is a two-time Outland Trophy winner and well-respected NFL center known for his pancake blocks during his Nebraska college football days, as well as his dominating performances throughout his professional football career. He now lives in New York City, working every day with the Boomer Esiason Foundation to combat cystic fibrosis.
Recently, Rimington talked with us about the Boomer Esiason Foundation and cystic fibrosis.
How did you get involved with the Boomer Esiason Foundation?
I was living in Hong Kong at the time. Boomer Esiason was my former teammate from when I played for the Bengals. He called me one day to tell me his son Gunnar had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. He wanted to do something to fight in a big way. He asked me, if he started a foundation, would I consider coming back to New York to help him? I agreed almost immediately.
How would you describe cystic fibrosis to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disorder that produces thick mucus that clogs lungs and prevents the creation of natural enzymes to break down food and absorb nutrients.
Why is education and awareness of cystic fibrosis important?
It’s important that other people understand what the disease is and what they can do to help. Although the length and quality of life for people living with cystic fibrosis has drastically changed over the last few years, funding for cystic fibrosis research is always needed to find more effective treatments for those living with cystic fibrosis.
How can the average person get involved?
You can help by making a contribution and by spreading the word. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference. Join our team. We need as many people as possible to beat this disease once and for all.
We learned that Rimington is a self storage regular as well. He used storage units back in his days as an athlete to make transitioning between cities easier, and he continues using storage today to free up space in his New York City home.
When did you start using self storage, and what did you initially use it for?
I started using storage when I was with Cincinnati and then got released. I had to move to Philadelphia really quickly. My wife and I moved everything into storage while we figured out what our plan was.
How about now?
I’ve collected a lot of things over the years—memorabilia, auction items, etc. Also, I’ve been working for the Boomer Esiason Foundation for almost 22 years—I’ve got a lot of stuff! Plus, I live in New York City, home of the 1,600-square-foot apartment, so it makes sense to store instead of keeping stuff at home.
What would you say are the benefits of storage for athletes?
When you’re an athlete, you’re in an occupation where you can be traded at a moment’s notice. So it’s convenience more than anything else. You have an unstable occupation. You could possibly have to maintain two households. So it makes more sense to store rather than pay for two places.
Describe a situation during your football career where you were glad you chose to use self storage.
After the Bengals released me, I signed with Philadelphia and then had a week to learn the system before I had to play a game. Everything happened so quickly. My wife had to take care of everything in Cincinnati. So she stored our stuff instead of maintaining two houses.
What services or amenities do you look for when choosing a storage facility?
I look for safety first. It must be secure. If I have valuable things, it needs to be climate-controlled. That being said, most of my self storage units are not climate-controlled.
As for his personal life, Rimington is passionate about photography and loves nothing more than enjoying a cup of coffee early in the morning as he gets started on his work.
We noticed you’re into photography. What’s your favorite subject or setting to photograph?
I love landscapes. I can take my time with them taking the photo. I don’t need to be worried about timing, movement, or upsetting someone. It’s just relaxing to take photos in nature. I love dirt roads, cornfields, farms, barns, and rural-looking Nebraska. I like what’s there—outdoor-living and weather phenomenon—when I’m back home.
What does the perfect day entail for you?
Because I have four kids, silence is a big thing. I like, at 5 to 5:30 a.m., having a cup of coffee and working on my computer with no noise. It doesn’t take much.
If you’d like to get involved with the Boomer Esiason Foundation, please visit esiason.org. Also, you can learn more about the Storage.com partnership with the foundation on our Causes page.
