Auburn Freshman Focuses Getting on the Field
Allie Hausfeld
6/22/2011
Family. That is the word that LaDarius Owens, a redshirted freshman linebacker from Auburn University reiterated throughout his press conference on Tuesday at the Auburn Athletic Center.
Family is what brought him to Auburn. Family is what keeps their team together. And family is what drives him to play football.
James Owens was the first African-American scholarship football player to play at Auburn. James and LaDarius not only share a last name, but they share family. James Owens is LaDarius’s uncle, and what he did at Auburn left a lasting impact on the university.
Owens, just like his uncle, wants to get on the field as soon as possible, and “make an impact.” Although James “does not put pressure " on LaDarius to go to Auburn, or live up to his legacy, he is driven to go the extra mile.
“I live for the long hours and not sleeping," Owens said when he was asked about his favorite part of football.
A Dean’s list student his first year at Auburn, he has conquered the challenge of juggling a filled schedule that many freshmen find difficult while playing a sport. However, that does not mean he slacks off in other areas, like the weight room.
The training coach, Coach Yox, has been known for his rough workouts; however, Owens is not intimidated. He is determined to encourage his teammates and power through the struggle.
This kind of teamwork brings the team together as a family, the atmosphere that prompted Owens to decide on Auburn.
"They preach family here," Owens said. "That is what sets us apart from other schools.”
Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik feels strongly about this, sometimes making the players go to a movie or waterpark after practice.
Although they are losing some of their family this year, a family of national champions, the remaining players are determined to do it again. Various media outlets have reported this team as “one and done.” For Owens, this just fuels the fire.
He also shared about his single mother that drives him to play football. When he ever feels like giving up, he turns to his mother or God for inspiration.
His mother fits into the Auburn family quite well, having a good relationship with Chizik. She even called him to wish him a happy Father’s Day. Chizik later told Owens that phone call made his day.
This family atmosphere is not only what attracted Owens to the university, but also keeps him here.
6/22/2011
Family. That is the word that LaDarius Owens, a redshirted freshman linebacker from Auburn University reiterated throughout his press conference on Tuesday at the Auburn Athletic Center.
Family is what brought him to Auburn. Family is what keeps their team together. And family is what drives him to play football.
James Owens was the first African-American scholarship football player to play at Auburn. James and LaDarius not only share a last name, but they share family. James Owens is LaDarius’s uncle, and what he did at Auburn left a lasting impact on the university.
Owens, just like his uncle, wants to get on the field as soon as possible, and “make an impact.” Although James “does not put pressure " on LaDarius to go to Auburn, or live up to his legacy, he is driven to go the extra mile.
“I live for the long hours and not sleeping," Owens said when he was asked about his favorite part of football.
A Dean’s list student his first year at Auburn, he has conquered the challenge of juggling a filled schedule that many freshmen find difficult while playing a sport. However, that does not mean he slacks off in other areas, like the weight room.
The training coach, Coach Yox, has been known for his rough workouts; however, Owens is not intimidated. He is determined to encourage his teammates and power through the struggle.
This kind of teamwork brings the team together as a family, the atmosphere that prompted Owens to decide on Auburn.
"They preach family here," Owens said. "That is what sets us apart from other schools.”
Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik feels strongly about this, sometimes making the players go to a movie or waterpark after practice.
Although they are losing some of their family this year, a family of national champions, the remaining players are determined to do it again. Various media outlets have reported this team as “one and done.” For Owens, this just fuels the fire.
He also shared about his single mother that drives him to play football. When he ever feels like giving up, he turns to his mother or God for inspiration.
His mother fits into the Auburn family quite well, having a good relationship with Chizik. She even called him to wish him a happy Father’s Day. Chizik later told Owens that phone call made his day.
This family atmosphere is not only what attracted Owens to the university, but also keeps him here.