Interview with Rudy Odom

Interview # 4

Hey Bulldog Fans! I'm back again with yet another player interview! This time around, I talked with Rudy Odom (89), a junior who plays defensive line on our team.

Kristen Carrier: "What made you become interested in football?"

Rudy Odom: "Seeing my dad's jerseys and pictures when I was younger."

KC: "That's cool. Almost all of the guys I've talked to so far have mentioned their dad. When did you start playing?"

RO: "5th grade."

KC: "Cool. A lot of the guys tell me they started young. I guess its something that's just in your blood. Did you choose your jersey number? If so, was there a special reason behind your choice?"

RO: "There really wasn't a special reason why I picked my number. The biggest reason was because they wouldn't let me play defensive line with a small number."

KC: "Well, that makes sense. Now, here's an interesting one. What is the worst injury you've ever suffered?"

RO: "In high school football?"

KC: "Just the worst one you've ever gotten from playing football at any time."

RO: "I broke my arm in a tackling drill when I played rec."

KC: "Ouch! I know how that feels. Not fun at all. What are some of the challenges you faced as both an individual and as a team, and how did you overcome them?"

RO: "Well me and coach always haven't always gotten along, but we over came our differences because I know that he is doing it because he cares for me. As a team, we have always let down in "easy" wins (games). We haven't quite come over that, but this season we will."

KC: "Very true. I know you guys can do it. It's gonna be different without Blake and the rest of the senior boys, though. What would you say was the most memorable moment for both you and your teammates, and will you please describe it?"

RO: "Well after the Hahnville game, I was more upset than I had ever been. Most of my seniors could very well have just played in their last games, and even for the ones whose last game won't be for a while, I wish it wouldn't have ended with a big loss. The Hahnville loss was just icing on the cake. St. Paul's was the let down. I remember everyone's expressions were so bleak and upsetting. The seniors were so discouraged because of our losses this year. We will miss their leadership and the good times we all had."

KC: "Yeah, pretty memorable. But I think you gotta look at it with a smile because of how far you guys have come as a team. I've never seen such teamwork in my life. It just blows me away. On a happier note, what were some of the funniest memories you can recall, and will you please describe them?"

RO: "The things that stick in my head as funny times were when Blake and Scott would mimic Coach Farve and Coach Sporty."

KC: "Wish I could have seen it. Blake's a pretty goofy guy, and Scott just cracks me up. He's just so....opinionated. What do you think were some of the team's greatest victories, and what do you think was the reason we won?"

RO: "Hammond was a great win because it was the first time that we had beaten them in school history. They played well, but we just out hustled them. We had a great game plan from the coaches. Covington was a big win, because it proved that last years win against the Lions was not a fluke, and that we were actually better than them. We beat them because the coaches called great plays and good defenses."

KC: "Yeah, I have to admit even I could feel the excitement in the air when we beat Hammond. As for the Covington game, all I have to say is sitting in the rain, on old stands that are about to fall apart, watching your team play. . . it just doesn't get any better than that. What do you do for fun when you're not playing football?"

RO: "Baseball, golf, pool, and chill with friends. All those are my life away from school, (laughs)."

KC: "Well, that's what life's all about, ain't it? I hadn't pegged you as the golf type. Then again, I hadn't pictured Beitzel as the type to like to cook. (laughs) Learn something new everyday. What college/technical school do you plan to attend, and why?"

RO: "I have no clue. I want to play football in college, but I am pretty open. I would like to play for a big division one school."

KC: "Sounds like you have a lot of plans after high school, which I think is really cool. Well, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions for us."

RO: "Alright, you're welcome. Goodnight."

Well, that wraps up yet another interview! Keep checking back! I'm working on getting some more! Thanks again, Rudy!