Anderson gives local party something to celebrate

Published 11:16 pm Sunday, November 4, 2007

Laurie Gobel called it the best party she’s ever hosted — or attended, for that matter. And she was more than 2,400 miles away from the center of the action.

Gobel and her husband, Rick, hosted 22 friends at their Mill Creek home on Sunday afternoon, not only to watch their two favorite NFL teams but also to watch the only NFL player they truly love.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson is Laurie’s son, and Rick’s stepson, and so the Gobels were having the time of their life on Sunday, when Anderson helped lead his Browns to a 33-30 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks.

“We had the Dawg Pound on one side, and the Seahawks fans on the other side, both jumping up and down,” Laurie Gobel said of hosting Sunday afternoon’s viewing party that included the televised game. “Seriously, it was the best party — ever.”

Laurie’s son was instrumental in beating the Seahawks on Sunday, rallying Cleveland from a 15-point deficit by throwing for 218 yards after halftime. He led scoring drives on four of the Browns’ final five possessions, including the game-winning drive in overtime.

While teammate Jamal Lewis got all the glory by scoring all four of the Browns’ touchdowns, Anderson did more than his share of work by completing 29 of 48 passes for 364 yards — all career highs.

“It feels great,” Anderson said of his big day while addressing reporters at Cleveland Browns Stadium. “It’s a lot better when you win games. … To come out of here with a win is all that matters.”

Derek’s mother felt the same way.

After deciding not to travel to Cleveland because the Gobel family had plans to attend two Browns games on the West Coast — a September game at Oakland, and a December game at Arizona that will include Derek’s grandparents for the first time — Laurie and Rick Gobel were just glad to have such a good time Sunday.

“As long as Derek does really well,” Laurie Gobel said, “that’s what it’s all about.”