Sports Notes - MARSHALL FAULK - Winners Never Quit

Marshal Faulk

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Faulk said something to me that I never forgot. He played offense and defense at Carver high school in New Orleans where he saw action as a running back, quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback. Only four major universities recruited him. Only one would give him a scholarship to do what he wanted to do….PLAY OFFENSE.

Friday February 1, 2002

FAULK DID WHAT HE WANTED TO DO & ACHIEVED

The saying Winners Never Quit - Quitters Never Win has been around for a long time. Winners never quit certainly apply to the St Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk. Once again Faulk will be displaying his gifted playing talents in this weeks Super Bowl in New Orleans. It will be his second Super Bowl appearance in three years. If Faulk had listened to others he may not be in his winning situation.

I first met Faulk in 1991 when he was an 18-year-old freshman at San Diego State University in San Diego California in the United States. He had just broken the NCAA [National College Athletic Association] single game rushing yards record in only his second college game. He rushed 37 times for 386 yards, 7 TDs (touchdowns) vs. Pacific. The seven TD's also set an NCAA record by a freshman. (The rushing yardage total record has since been broken.).

At that time I was somewhat of a rookie in sports broadcasting. One of my major accounts was the NCAA's radio show "College Sports USA." The show was about great achievements in sport by athletes, coaches or teams. Functioning as a field producer and reporter, it was my job to find those great stories and put them together. I felt Faulk's achievement was worthy of a story but there was a problem.

Host Communications produced the show for the NCAA. I reported to Host executive Mike Dotson. Our working relationship began in 1989. From the start Dotson said I knew what a story was and never challenged me on my decisions. If I deemed it a story it was done and aired nationally.

Dotson pointed out to me that the NCAA frowned upon doing stories on freshman. They preferred stories on upper classmen. The rational was they had staying power by first of all staying in school and proving themselves. Faulk had just arrived from New Orleans, Louisiana and had less than a month of the college experience.

Stories that the NCAA would more likely approve would be about a non-starter that was an All Academic student. A human-interest story where someone overcomes adversity was acceptable. Being a freshman that achieved didn't qualify. After my constant persistence Dotson gave me the green light (OK) to do Faulk's story.

The San Diego State SID [Sports Information Director] advised me that Faulk might not do the interview. He noted that Faulk was shy and not known for talking to the press. I decided to go for it.

Faulk and I met after a game. He certainly was shy. Many athletes are reluctant to talk about their achievements since it may cause animosity or put pressure on them, after all Faulk was new to college life, his coach, his team and he was very young. My job was to put him at ease so he would talk.

I was shocked at how small Faulk was. He was 5-10, thick bodied and built like a fireplug but from his monstrous accomplishment I expected to see someone of humongous size. Faulk rarely made eye contact during the interview preferring to look away or down at the ground. After a while he loosened up, became more expressive and projected his voice.

In the course of the interview Faulk said something to me that I never forgot. He played offense and defense at Carver high school in New Orleans where he saw action as a running back, quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback. Only four major universities recruited him. Only one would give him a scholarship to do what he wanted to do….PLAY OFFENSE.

San Diego State gave him the offer and opportunity that he could not refuse. He went on to put up record breaking NCAA numbers after his record breaking one game rushing performance proving that freshman were worthy.

Faulk's other achievements as a freshman were: He was consensus All-America while seeing action in 10 games as freshman...

Had 201 rushes for 1,429 yards plus 21 TDs rushing, 17-201, 2 TDs receiving...

Became first freshman in NCAA history to lead nation in scoring (15.6 ppg.) and rushing (158.8 ypg.)...

Named UPI Freshman-of-the-Year...finished 9th in 1991 Heisman Trophy balloting, the 2nd-highest freshman ranking ever...

Was only third freshman ever named first-team Associated Press All-America....

Set NCAA freshman records for highest per game rushing average (158.8), most rushing TDs (21), most total TDs (23) and most points (140)...

Tied (now Dallas Cowboys) Emmitt Smith for earliest game for freshman to surpass 1,000 rushing yards by doing so in seventh game...

He is now setting NFL records, been selected the leagues MVP and is a member of what is considered one of the greatest ever offenses in the league. With a focus to be an offensive player, hard work and determination Faulk has proved with talent you can be what you can be.

Related story: Dick Vermeil