By: Chasity Oubre
Where are you from?
I’m from Opelika, Alabama.
When did you started loving the game of football…And what made you decide to play it?
From a young age I enjoyed playing football. Basically, I wanted to follow my brother who was older than I was, so I wanted to be like him in high school and college.
Did you play any other sport(s) in high school besides football?
Yes, I played basketball, ran track, and baseball besides football.
What attracted you to Nicholls State University?
Well, I started out playing at Southern Miss University, but it was not working out. Some of the coaches I met a Southern Miss were at Nicholls State, the defensive coordinator and Coach Thomas were awesome guys. They bettered me as a person before a player, even before I touched the field. They changed my life.
What was the campus/community like when you arrived at Nicholls?
It reminded me of my home town, because I’m from a small town in Alabama. It was more of a family even with the other sporting programs and players. The Thibodeaux community was just awesome. I love it so much that I come back every year and host a youth football camp there, just to give back to the community.
How did you like playing at Nicholls…Was there anything you had to adjust to once you came?
Well, I had to adjust from getting free clothes and shoes and stuff to getting things through hard work. When I got to Nicholls many of the players looked up to me, I became their leader. Even though some of the players did not have the talent that the guys had at Southern Miss.; they had a deep passion and love for the game which made me love the game more rather than just trying to go to the NFL. I was back to having fun and enjoying the game again. The coaches made sure we went to class and got an education.
What was your relationship/chemistry like with the coaches and other players?
The coaches had an open-door policy; they invited us to come in and talk about anything that we needed to discuss. They became a father figures to me, and made me feel as if I was at home. They made me feel like family, taught me about life and helped me grow up into who I am now.
Was there anything you liked about Nicholls or Louisiana overall?
I love everything bout Nicholls State and Louisiana. The people, their accent, and the way they partied. Things like Mardi Gras, crawfish, cook-outs, and the laid back atmosphere without all that pressure. I really enjoyed the college life here, even though I was broke, and not to mention that alcohol was everywhere.
What was your greatest memory at Nicholls?
My greatest memory at Nicholls, was beating Rice University when I first got there. It was as publicized as it could have been, because it was the same game week when Appalachian State beat Michigan. I had three interceptions and I took one of them to the house for a touchdown. I had player of the week after that game and got a lot of attention from the national media. Also, playing with my teammates is a great memory. They loved the game and played hard, even though many of them knew they weren’t going to the NFL. We had somuch fun, even though we were broke. When we struggled, we struggled together; and when we were up, everybody was up together.
What would you say about Nicholls’ football program or the university in general, that would make a recruit commit?
I would tell a recruit that at Nicholls, you can depend on the coaches and staff to always be there for you. They will constantly help lift you up. Don’t think you cannot go to the NFL by playing there. The organization will help you learn the game, but more importantly help prepare you as a man in case you do or do not make it to the NFL. The people and community around Nicholls made it a wonderful tradition and experience.
How does it feels to be playing in the NFL, on a team like the Baltimore Ravens?
I feel honored playing on a team like the Baltimore Ravens. Especially, making the playoffs 5 out of my 6 years with them. Also, winning a Super Bowl with them was amazing!
What makes the Ravens different from any other team in the NFL?
I can’t really say what makes the Ravens differed from other NFL teams, because I have never played with another NFL team, but I can say that from the top of the organization to the bottom of the organization; they bring great people in. It’s like a family because they actually care about you and support you. They are very loyal. I have had many injuries, and they stuck with me 100% through my ups and downs. I was blessed to get drafted by the Baltimore Ravens’ football organization.
How did it feel to wake up at the time, knowing you were playing with the Great Ray Lewis?
When I came to the Ravens, it was the veterans that made me feel welcome. Ray Lewis along with Ed Reeves demonstrated an open-door policy to me, that I could approach them at any time if I had a problem. Even though they had a great name, they acted like regular people. They were willing to talk to us, teach us, and help us learn the game. Ray Lewis was cool, even though he was a superstar, he did not act stuck up, never acted funny towards a rookie like me. I was truly honored to be on the field with Ray Lewis and Ed Reeves, two Hall of Fame players. I personally felt blessed to be on the field with Ed Reeves, a player I always emulated in college.
What’s John Harbaugh like as a person, besides what the media want us to see?
Coach Harbaugh is our leader who we follow hard. He knows when to be tough and he knows when to be soft on us. He has the same open door policy like I had in college. He has family day when we get to bring our kids and spouses. Coach is really big on family, he will talk to our family like they are his family. As the Raves’ head coach, he has to be a tough guy and be physical. We play tough like our coach.
What kind of motivation tactics does Coach Harbaugh gives before every game?
No, Coach Harbaugh is not big on motivational speeches, but he always has something to give us though. Things like a quote, poem, or some type of emphasis before games, meeting, and practices. You can count on coach to present us with something.
What would your advice be to a young man, who is about to embark on college life and have big dreams about making it big into the NFL?
My advice to any young man that is about to embark on college life, is to put God first, and to watch how he carries himself on and off the field. Make sure he gets a good start in class on his first semester at school, because education is more important. And be sure to learn good study habits. The good study habits that I learned in college, are helping me while playing in the NFL. Because I have to study films and playbooks. Also, put important things first, don’t go out partying when you have to study or have a game coming up. Always carry himself with respect and be mature like a good man.