The Sacramento Mountain Lions gave their fans a chance to see them practice first-hand today in front of the Capitol building downtown.

Police blocked traffic for all entrances to the Capitol and Sixth Street area as the Mountain Lions held practice on the grass strip in the middle of Capitol Street.

Sports 1140 KHTK-AM was at one end of the practice playing music while the Mountain Lions’ cheerleaders danced and greeted fans. The Mountain Lions also put on a raffle that gave fans a chance to win autographed memorabilia from quarterback Daunte Culpepper and other players.

The practice was relaxed and the players were laughing and joking with each other, as well as interacting with the fans.

“We are reaching out to the community today in hopes of gaining more fans and to show everyone we are committed to the city of Sacramento,” said Mountain Lions’ Assistant in Public Relations Nick Cronenwett.

As practice ended, fans got the chance to shake the hands with their favorite players as well as take pictures and get autographs.

“Meeting Culpepper was unbelievable,” said Mountain Lions’ fan Jason Clay. “I grew up watching him play in the NFL and to see him in person was surreal.”

Members of the Mountain Lions, along with head coach Dennis Green, also visited Shriners Hospital for children. The players spent time in the activity room and also visited bedside with the children that were too sick to play.

The Mountain Lions play their first home game of the season on Saturday at 8 p.m. They will host the Florida Tuskers at Hornet Stadium.

Brad Schmidt can be reached at [email protected]