He's been promoting his book in places like New York City and Chicago, and he's been on ESPN a few different times. So it might seem unusual that Mark Bavaro's next stop is Auburn.

The former NFL tight end - who played most of his career with the New York Giants - will be at the Knights of Columbus from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday for a book signing for his new fiction work, “Rough & Tumble.”

Bavaro was in Auburn nearly two years ago, when he came to a Sacred Heart Sports Night as a favor to Gino Alberici, who was college roommates with Bavaro's late father, Anthony, at Holy Cross.

“I was the best man in (Anthony's) wedding and I'm the godfather to (Mark's) older sister Robin,” Alberici said. “He has been obliging whenever I've asked him to come here.”

The turnout promises to be huge at Knights of Columbus, where the venue will be providing free complimentary food.

The Creekside in Skaneateles will be bringing in Bavaro's popular book so that fans are able to get it signed.

There will also be a 50-50 raffle for Williard Chapel that will benefit needy local families.

“The people that I've talked to are very excited for this,” Alberici said.

With good reason. It's a rare occurrence that an athlete of Bavaro's stature makes a local appearance and if the turnout at the Sacred Heart Sports Night in February of 2007 is any indication, fans should plan to get to the Knights of Columbus as early as they can.

A graduate of Notre Dame where he was an All-American, Bavaro was instrumental in the Giants' Super Bowl titles in 1986 and 1990 seasons. He is a two-time Pro Bowl player that established himself as the Giants' most prolific tight end in the team's history.

Bavaro's debut novel received rave reviews from Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis, New York Times best-selling author Tim Green and Mike Golic, co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning - among others.