AU Athletic News Conference
Nolan McAnally
Flomaton High School
Flomaton, AL
Weighing in at 242 pounds, LaDarius Owens, 19, Auburn University football player, was interviewed earlier today. His uncle, James Owens, a former Auburn football player, inspired him to become a football player.
According to Owens, football makes his world go round. Head Coach Gene Chizik and Owens have a healthy relationship.
"On Father's Day, my mom called and left Coach Chizik a voicemail, telling him how much of a father figure he has been to me and wishing him a Happy Father's Day," Owens said.
That is a healthy relationship, and a good relationship leads to more victories. Coach Chizik does a fine part on this with all of his players, whether it is during recruiting or on the practice field.
The road to college football was not easy. During his freshman year of college, Owens was redshirted. At first he was bitter about the whole situation, but soon got over that. Owens said he spent a lot of time collecting film and getting prepared for practice and the games.
“It was just not meant to be,” Owens said. He gets straight to business and keeps moving forward, no matter what.
Motivating him to keep going is his faith in God, his mom, his daily workouts and his close-knit family. James Owens, LaDarius’ uncle, was the first African-American to get a football scholarship to Auburn University. During that time, there was extreme racism, and it was much harder to stay here at Auburn for James Owens than it is for LaDarius Owens. James Owens was a great role model for LaDarius. He said his Uncle is his role model.
Keeping up good grades is necessary to play college football. Owens was on the Dean’s List in the fall of 2010, showing how mature he is.
"I'm a work-aholic," Owens said earlier today in the conference. He is a great leader and a true role model.
Flomaton High School
Flomaton, AL
Weighing in at 242 pounds, LaDarius Owens, 19, Auburn University football player, was interviewed earlier today. His uncle, James Owens, a former Auburn football player, inspired him to become a football player.
According to Owens, football makes his world go round. Head Coach Gene Chizik and Owens have a healthy relationship.
"On Father's Day, my mom called and left Coach Chizik a voicemail, telling him how much of a father figure he has been to me and wishing him a Happy Father's Day," Owens said.
That is a healthy relationship, and a good relationship leads to more victories. Coach Chizik does a fine part on this with all of his players, whether it is during recruiting or on the practice field.
The road to college football was not easy. During his freshman year of college, Owens was redshirted. At first he was bitter about the whole situation, but soon got over that. Owens said he spent a lot of time collecting film and getting prepared for practice and the games.
“It was just not meant to be,” Owens said. He gets straight to business and keeps moving forward, no matter what.
Motivating him to keep going is his faith in God, his mom, his daily workouts and his close-knit family. James Owens, LaDarius’ uncle, was the first African-American to get a football scholarship to Auburn University. During that time, there was extreme racism, and it was much harder to stay here at Auburn for James Owens than it is for LaDarius Owens. James Owens was a great role model for LaDarius. He said his Uncle is his role model.
Keeping up good grades is necessary to play college football. Owens was on the Dean’s List in the fall of 2010, showing how mature he is.
"I'm a work-aholic," Owens said earlier today in the conference. He is a great leader and a true role model.