CSI - Charlie the Sports Insider

Got a call from Kassim Osgood of the San Diego Chargers last night. He told me that he and his family and the SD crew were heading down to South Beach for some Miami style fun. So I told them to come to the Shore Club for the Groove Cruise Launch Party. We set up shop outside by the pool on a big white bed and had some cocktails. The pool was well lit with ambient lighting and a soft blue glow across the water. The DJ was good, and we mingled with an eclectic crowd of electronic music fans all poised and ready for their four-day, non-stop adventure. From there we passed by Mynt at around midnight but it wasn’t open yet. Weird – what were they waiting for to open? Perhaps the next full moon?

Next, we landed at the new W Hotel South Beach and glided into the Wall -- that’s the mirror-wrapped nightclub inside the hotel for those of you who don’t know. Hip-Hop music and beautiful ladies filled the room - just another Thursday night in South Beach. We settled into a boomerang-shaped VIP sofa near the DJ and ordered a few more drinks. Fellow Pro Bowler Ray Rice stopped by briefly to say hello to Kassim on his way out of the club. As he exited, groups of well-dressed club-goers entered the room. Girls in short dresses and guys with designer button down shirts quickly packed the place.

The music inspired chants and dancing from Kassim’s group and the Wall seemed to come alive. Noise and smiles. Cocktails and photos. It was a real blast! Before I knew it, 3 a.m. had arrived and it was time to call it a night (or at least leave South Beach and head back up North). After all this is only night No. 1 and the Pro Bowl is still three nights away ...