Washington Redskins Fan Getting Paid to Cover His Love

Talking New Media at the Washington Redskins Training Camp: The Dream Job of a Lifetime
This last spring, there was a contest run by Bleacher Report and CBSSports.com. The prize for 32 lucky people? The chance to work as embedded reporters for a specific team, going as far as the team does in the play-offs. Ed Sheahin, a professional photographer by day, talks to us about how this "opportunity of a lifetime" came his way via Facebook.

Ashburn, VA (Aug 7, 2009) - Standing behind the red "do not cross" lines in the end zone of the Washington Redskins practice field in Ashburn, Ed Sheahin does not particularly stand out from others in the area. Well except for the fact is is not lugging a mini-cam, holding a microphone, or scribbling down notes on a pad of paper.

But every 9-10 minutes, you see him pull out a Blackberry and click away on the keypad. But he is not Twittering at 14o characters a pop. He is submitting a 40 words or less "RadidReport" for CBSSports.com. And he is getting paid a modest (a very modest sum) for his efforts.

"I am forever grateful to Bleacher Report and CBS Sports for giving me this experience of a lifetime. If they only knew that I would have paid THEM to do it!"

Ed Sheahin, CBSSports.com Rapid Reporter

"This past spring I saw an ad on Facebook from Bleacher Report," said Sheahin, a lifelong Washington Redskins fan from Frederick County, Maryland who has only missed one game in 30 years. "They were advertising a contest where 32 to people would be selected, one for each team, to cover the team from training camp through to the Super Bowl if the team makes it that far."

"I did not know if it was real, given all the fake and deceptive ads I have seen on Facebook," said Sheahin. "So I took a chance and through my hat in the ring."

And so did about 2,800 other people. The professional photographer thought he was a longshot at best when he entered.

"It was late in June when out of the blue I got a call from CBS," Sheahin continued. "We talked on the phone and had a really good conversation. I think the fact that I knew the Redskins so well really helped me win the spot."

Once selected, Sheahin began the training for the job that required him to post 40 words or less every ten minutes. CBSSports.com pays him $400 a week and provides the Blackberry he uses for the job.

"There is one editor I work with that is responsible for the NFC East and the AFC East," Sheahin said. "So it is important to be as clear and consise as possible to make his job easier."

Sheahin hopes that the Redskins do go all the way to the Super Bowl. Even if they don't, he will not be disappointed because of the opportunity he has been given.

"The team has been fabulous with me, and Coach Zorn has treated me just great," Sheahin concluded. "I am forever grateful to Bleacher Report and CBS Sports for giving me this experience of a lifetime. If they only knew that I would have paid THEM to do it!"

2009 Network of RapidReports Correspondents on CBSSports.com

The 2009 Network of RapidReports Correspondents on CBSSports.com
is a mix of veteran sports journalists combined with some of the best new writers on the Internet coming from the Bleacher Report community. The network of RapidReports correspondents include Bob Gretz who has over 30 years experience covering the Kansas City Chiefs as well as Jason Butt, a 2009 graduate of the University of Georgia who will be covering the Atlanta Falcons.

AFC South	AFC North	AFC East	AFC West
Tennessee: Aldrin Brown	Pittsburgh: Brian Carson	Miami: Jeff Shain	San Diego: Tom Krasovic
Indianapolis: John Oehser	Baltimore: Jon Gallo	New England: William Bendetson	Denver: Aaron Lopez
Houston: Jim McCurdy	Cincinnati: Josh Katzowitz	N.Y. Jets: Lisa Zimmerman	Oakland: Eric Gilmore
Jacksonville: Jim Nasella	Cleveland: Martin Gitlin	Buffalo: Mark Ludwiczak	Kansas City: Bob Gretz

NFC South	NFC North	NFC East	NFC West
Carolina: Steve Reed	Minnesota: Darren Wolfson	N.Y. Giants: Alex Raskin	Arizona: Craig Morgan
Atlanta: Jason Butt	Chicago: Gene Chamberlain	Philadelphia: Kevin Noonan	San Francisco: Michael Erler
Tampa Bay: Carter Gaddis	Green Bay: Gerrard Diaz	Dallas: Bryan Broaddus	Seattle: Matt Rybaltowski
New Orleans: Larry Holder	Detroit: Jimmy Trombley	Washington: Ed Sheahin	St. Louis: Cameron Hollway

Source: CBS Sports

Photograph Copyright 2009 by Eye on Sports Media/The Cayuga Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.