Dye gets ‘picked’ by 49ers

Anderson Dye has taken care of some of Southern University’s best student athletes.
As an equipment manager, the Southern alumnus has played a part in ensuring the Jaguars look their best.
Now, he’s moving on up … to the west side – or the west coast – that is.
Dye, 25, smiled from ear to ear Wednesday after he received a call from the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, saying he was chosen to participate in a paid seasonal internship as equipment manager.
He went from building to building, to inform everyone he said had a hand in his success.
“I’m grateful,” Dye said. “I’ll be working hands-on with different players, doing drills before, during and after practice.”
Dye will start the job Sept. 12. Some of his duties include setting up the practice field, picking up football paraphernalia, assisting in equipment maintenance and during travel, he will be helping load and unload equipment.
Not that Dye is new to this type of work. In 2002, he participated in an internship with the Indianapolis Colts during their mini-camp and preseason.
He even worked during a preseason game, which happened to be against the New Orleans Saints.
“Average base pay can be between $38,000-40,000 (annually), Dye said.
He will be able to wear the team’s sports gear during working hours and will be working with up to 50 players. He said his workdays will start from 8 a.m. and can end anywhere between 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Just days earlier, he was not so busy. All he had to do was watch television, trying to pass the time while he waited for confirmation of the internship.
Now time is of the essence. Dye had to rush to pack his bags in order to leave Wednesday afternoon.
“He’s going to do well out there because he doesn’t mind hard work and he gets along with everyone,” said Derek Price, Dye’s mentor and Southern’s head athletic equipment manager. Price recruited Dye when he was in high school. “It turned out to be a great decision. I wish I had more like him.”