College linebacker changes from red shirt to jersey
Standing next to the 2010 National Championship Trophy, Auburn University linebacker LaDarius Owens attended a press conference Wednesday in the Auburn Athletics Complex to share his high hopes for the future with young journalists at the Auburn Summer Journalism Workshop.
After sitting on the sidelines during a successful National Championship football season, Owens is more than ready to tear up the field. He said that he anticipates and is enthusiastic about this upcoming season. His goal is simple: make an impact on the field.
Owens stated, “Red shirt year was a really tough year”, but he decided that instead of being bitter about the situation he would work even harder. He feared that being red shirted he would lose respect from the team, but he actually gained it.
According to Owens, dedication makes a great football player. You have to go the extra mile.
“I don’t feel right doing just enough” said Owen, adding that he loves the grind of long practices and no sleep.
Football is in Owens blood, he is following in the footsteps of his uncle, James Owen, the first African American football player at Auburn.
Owens said he feels no pressure to live up to his uncle’s legacy, but definitely wants to make him and the fans proud.
Owens gave insight on the life of an Auburn University football player. Owens told reporters, “They really took me in and everyone treated me like family rather than a football player,” saying it’s not uncommon for all the players to go to the movies or a water park and to bring a teammate home for a home-cooked meal. He added that his mom and Coach Gene Chizik even text each other.
“Most places the head coach will be too busy or too stuck up” Owens said, but Chizik wants to keep up the relationships he has with everyone on the team.
Owens said he finds inspiration in God and his mother to keep him going when times are tough. His favorite athlete, he said, is Kobe Bryant for being the underdog, but still having a hard work ethic.
For good luck during a game he said he sticks money in his sock adding “the bigger the game, the bigger the money.”
“I like being the underdog. I’ve been an underdog my whole life. That just means we’ve got nothing to lose,” Owens said.
After sitting on the sidelines during a successful National Championship football season, Owens is more than ready to tear up the field. He said that he anticipates and is enthusiastic about this upcoming season. His goal is simple: make an impact on the field.
Owens stated, “Red shirt year was a really tough year”, but he decided that instead of being bitter about the situation he would work even harder. He feared that being red shirted he would lose respect from the team, but he actually gained it.
According to Owens, dedication makes a great football player. You have to go the extra mile.
“I don’t feel right doing just enough” said Owen, adding that he loves the grind of long practices and no sleep.
Football is in Owens blood, he is following in the footsteps of his uncle, James Owen, the first African American football player at Auburn.
Owens said he feels no pressure to live up to his uncle’s legacy, but definitely wants to make him and the fans proud.
Owens gave insight on the life of an Auburn University football player. Owens told reporters, “They really took me in and everyone treated me like family rather than a football player,” saying it’s not uncommon for all the players to go to the movies or a water park and to bring a teammate home for a home-cooked meal. He added that his mom and Coach Gene Chizik even text each other.
“Most places the head coach will be too busy or too stuck up” Owens said, but Chizik wants to keep up the relationships he has with everyone on the team.
Owens said he finds inspiration in God and his mother to keep him going when times are tough. His favorite athlete, he said, is Kobe Bryant for being the underdog, but still having a hard work ethic.
For good luck during a game he said he sticks money in his sock adding “the bigger the game, the bigger the money.”
“I like being the underdog. I’ve been an underdog my whole life. That just means we’ve got nothing to lose,” Owens said.