51.  He gave his game ball to a child after the Northern Illinois game.

52.  Hampton passed around cups of champagne to teammates after the game and plans to send the game ball to his father, Mike Sr., in Florida.

53.  He also gave a belated game ball to linebacker Zach Thomas.

54.  He kept the game ball, which was no doubt a popular item at the Scheffer home in nearby Westland, where Aaron stayed over Wednesday night.

55.  He said he had not received the traditional game ball yet.

56.  He stood there with a big, fat, lit cigar in one hand and a game ball clutched in the other hand.

57.  He was given the game ball and a standing ovation.

58.  He kept the game ball despite the setting.

59.  He was given a game ball to mark the occasion. . . .

60.  He spoke to the team, and players presented him with a game ball in a ceremony some players described as emotional.