Athlete at Heart
Ashley Tactac
KIPP San Jose Collegiate
San Jose, CA
He says that he “gets butterflies” as a rush playing the sport. He says that he “likes being the underdog and doesn’t feel like being enough.” He carries his faith and receives his strength from God and preaches it to the rest of his teammates.
His roots and faith are what he holds on to on a daily basis. LaDarias Owens, a linebacker at Auburn University, carries the heart of a true athlete.
Before his time, Owen’s uncle made history when he became the first African American to receive a football scholarship at Auburn University.
Trending down the Owen family tree, it is evident that Owen himself lives and breathes football. He explains that “there is no pressure” when it comes to the expectations that his school and his fans have of him. He simply “wants to be on his level,” Owen said, explaining about the legacy that his Uncle and inspiration left behind.
Owen’s sense of belonging and close comfort and support from his team is what he loves best about being on the team. Not only does he feel at home, he is close to home.
Being a unique individual and different from the rest, Owen said he believes his maturity as a person on the field is his best feature. His maturity level allows him to “get on the field and make an impact,” Owen articulates.
Owen expresses that he is a workaholic and pushes his team to work as hard as they can. He said he looks up to Kobe Bryant as one of his role models because he admires his work ethic and his performance as his favorite athlete. His dedication and compassion for his team is shown through the strong bonds and relationships with his family, his coach and his teammates.
The relationship that Owen has with his coach is indescribable. He remembers times when the coach pushed the team to work hard and demanded that they go out to the movies- his coach cares about the team beyond and outside the field, and that is what the loves about them. “Coach treats you like we’re his children. You can tell when someone cares about you,” Owens shares.
In terms of the upcoming football season for the Auburn Tigers, Owen understands that he is going to have to give all he has, but ultimately, he just wants to be in the game.
KIPP San Jose Collegiate
San Jose, CA
He says that he “gets butterflies” as a rush playing the sport. He says that he “likes being the underdog and doesn’t feel like being enough.” He carries his faith and receives his strength from God and preaches it to the rest of his teammates.
His roots and faith are what he holds on to on a daily basis. LaDarias Owens, a linebacker at Auburn University, carries the heart of a true athlete.
Before his time, Owen’s uncle made history when he became the first African American to receive a football scholarship at Auburn University.
Trending down the Owen family tree, it is evident that Owen himself lives and breathes football. He explains that “there is no pressure” when it comes to the expectations that his school and his fans have of him. He simply “wants to be on his level,” Owen said, explaining about the legacy that his Uncle and inspiration left behind.
Owen’s sense of belonging and close comfort and support from his team is what he loves best about being on the team. Not only does he feel at home, he is close to home.
Being a unique individual and different from the rest, Owen said he believes his maturity as a person on the field is his best feature. His maturity level allows him to “get on the field and make an impact,” Owen articulates.
Owen expresses that he is a workaholic and pushes his team to work as hard as they can. He said he looks up to Kobe Bryant as one of his role models because he admires his work ethic and his performance as his favorite athlete. His dedication and compassion for his team is shown through the strong bonds and relationships with his family, his coach and his teammates.
The relationship that Owen has with his coach is indescribable. He remembers times when the coach pushed the team to work hard and demanded that they go out to the movies- his coach cares about the team beyond and outside the field, and that is what the loves about them. “Coach treats you like we’re his children. You can tell when someone cares about you,” Owens shares.
In terms of the upcoming football season for the Auburn Tigers, Owen understands that he is going to have to give all he has, but ultimately, he just wants to be in the game.