When sitting down in front of LaDarius Owens, it’s hard not to feel exceptionally small. Not because he’s one of the best football players of his age in the southeast, but because of the toughness that goes much deeper than physical stature evident in his every move. Son of a single mother, member of the AU Dean’s list, and dedicated linebacker, LaDarius Owens is inspirational for so many more people than aspiring athletes.
When asked what it was about Auburn that appealed to him, he explains that, because of the legend James Owens being his uncle, attending Auburn University was an idea he’d grown up on. What cinched his decision, though, was the sense of family he felt coming in. “They welcomed me,” he says, “The coaches talked to my mom a lot even after I came in, and they didn’t have to do that, you know? Once you commit you can’t change; you’re stuck.”
“How did you handle not being able to play you’re freshman year?” someone asks.
LaDarius shrugs. “I didn’t handle it too well. I was bitter about it at first, but you gotta take the opportunity to kind of grow into it. Work hard, get faster and stronger. Now I’m ready to get in there and kill it.”
This prompts another to ask about his aspirations for the future. “Yeah, I wanna play for the NFL. I don’t think anybody who plays doesn’t want to. You’ve always got that dream.”
“And if you don’t?”
“I’m gonna be a physical therapist. I’d get the chance to be around sports, and I don’t hear the pay’s too bad either.”
Regardless of his backup plan, it doesn’t sound like LaDarius intends to fall to it. He talks of hard work with reverence, of going home to study after long practices and striving to be the best in workouts instead of just getting by. “ If you go into it with that mindset, it’s gonna be hell. I got a good relationship with the coaches, and they’re just pushing us to leave it all out there. They don’t just bring you in to use you. They take care of you once you get there.”
Finally, he gives us his inspiration. “My mom and God. If it’s not His plan to get me there, then I won’t. And I’ll be fine.”
Judging by the maturity in his eyes, that’s true.
When asked what it was about Auburn that appealed to him, he explains that, because of the legend James Owens being his uncle, attending Auburn University was an idea he’d grown up on. What cinched his decision, though, was the sense of family he felt coming in. “They welcomed me,” he says, “The coaches talked to my mom a lot even after I came in, and they didn’t have to do that, you know? Once you commit you can’t change; you’re stuck.”
“How did you handle not being able to play you’re freshman year?” someone asks.
LaDarius shrugs. “I didn’t handle it too well. I was bitter about it at first, but you gotta take the opportunity to kind of grow into it. Work hard, get faster and stronger. Now I’m ready to get in there and kill it.”
This prompts another to ask about his aspirations for the future. “Yeah, I wanna play for the NFL. I don’t think anybody who plays doesn’t want to. You’ve always got that dream.”
“And if you don’t?”
“I’m gonna be a physical therapist. I’d get the chance to be around sports, and I don’t hear the pay’s too bad either.”
Regardless of his backup plan, it doesn’t sound like LaDarius intends to fall to it. He talks of hard work with reverence, of going home to study after long practices and striving to be the best in workouts instead of just getting by. “ If you go into it with that mindset, it’s gonna be hell. I got a good relationship with the coaches, and they’re just pushing us to leave it all out there. They don’t just bring you in to use you. They take care of you once you get there.”
Finally, he gives us his inspiration. “My mom and God. If it’s not His plan to get me there, then I won’t. And I’ll be fine.”
Judging by the maturity in his eyes, that’s true.