After a much needed hiatus of avoiding all things sports I feel better. After 8 months of football and basketball games you just get tired.

Over the next couple of months I’m going to interview former Tigers for my blog. The first “A Six Pack with…” interview is with Rusty Clayton. Clayton spent four seasons as the Tigers long snapper. I decided on interviewing Rusty first because of his academic accomplishments more than his football accomplishments. Rusty is going to graduate with his Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice tomorrow morning at FedEx Forum. This after already getting his BA in both history and psychology. He’s been honored on multiple occasions:

–2002 Rex Dockery Scholarship winner
–2006 All-CUSA (first time a long snapper was ever voted on)
–2006 ARA Sportsmanship Award
–3-time CoSIDA Academic All-District IV honoree (first-team in 2004 & 2006; second-team in 2005)
–2006 C-USA All-Academic team

Rusty and his mother, Sandi, still attend all the Tigers football games. He’s hoping moving into the work force won’t prevent this from continuing. During a game last year Rusty could be seen sporting a kilt and his “Braveheart” Tigers face paint. And even his car shows his spirit as his Mississippi license plate is his number 98.

Here’s the six questions with Rusty Clayton.

1. Who recruited you and what was the deciding factor in your decision to come play at Memphis?

I had the unique fortune of encountering three different Memphis coaches during my recruitment. I vividly remember the first phone call I got from Memphis. His name was Joe Cullen. He certainly had a very distinct, gravel-type, Boston accent. He stated he was the defensive line coach at Memphis and they were looking for a long snapper. I remember his literal words: “If we offer you a scholarship, would you be willing to come and play at Memphis?” Of course, my answer was obvious: “Oh, Yes sir, I am willing!” Sometime later, my high school coach, Nevil Barr, pulled me out of the cafeteria to inform me he had just received a phone call from then-defensive coordinator Rick Whitt, stating he was en route to Oak Grove High School to offer me a scholarship. After I signed my scholarship, I received a few visits and phone calls from former defensive line coach Craig Boller. The deciding factor was simple: Memphis was the only Division I-A team to offer me a full athletic scholarship to fulfill my dream of playing college football. The price of a university education is not cheap in our country, so I knew that it would be a very light burden for my parents and a way for me to say “thank you” to them.

2. During your time at Memphis the Tigers played in three bowl games, New Orleans, GMAC, and Motor City. What was the most memorable bowl experience for you?

I have to divide the term “experience” into two categories: 1) the game itself and 2) the festivities and events surrounding the bowl game. For #1, the 2005 Motor City Bowl game was one in which I had the ultimate feeling that whatever happened throughout the course of the game, we would win. Regardless of the score, the momentum changes, the scares near the end of the game; I knew the Tigers would be victorious that day. We all know the outcome, too. Ford Field is a beautiful arena; it kind of resembles a huge airplane hangar. From playing where the Lions play, the ALL-blue uniforms, knowing we would win that game, and playing a first-class opponent in Akron, that was the most memorable bowl game for me.
For #2, the 2003 New Orleans Bowl’s festivities and events were the most memorable for me. New Orleans speaks for itself. However, it seemed like the city completely welcomed us and North Texas with open arms. From the French Quarter, to absolutely delicious New Orleans cuisine, Bourbon Street, Six Flags, to the huge pre-game parade, those were some memories I will have for the rest of my life.

3. You were one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Memphis history. What would you tell future student-athletes to help them succeed in the classroom as well as on the field?

Prioritize and look at the big picture. People who play sports in college are known as student-athletes. The term “student” is in front of “athletes” for one simple reason: a person is there to receive an education. Sports are just the means to pay for education and be socially active and involved on campus. Looking at the bigger picture will allow a person to perhaps determine their purpose for life, at least for the next few years while in college. To be honest, throughout my career I always considered football to take a backseat to my education. This is for a few reasons. First, I have always valued learning and the pursuit of knowledge because I believe it helps me become a better, more rounded individual. Second, I knew that my playing days were limited; whereas, having the ability to think, speak, and write critically, analytically, and persuasively (the things that a university education provides) will be used for the rest of my life.

4. You were perfect with your long snaps while at Memphis. How many did you have and was there any that are memorable than the others?

In my career at Memphis, I had 449 consecutive perfect snaps. This included punt, extra point, and field goal snaps. There are certainly a few snaps that stand out as being more memorable than the others. Of course, the absolute most memorable was the first snap of my career. It was in 2003 versus Tennessee Tech at the Liberty Bowl. As I ran onto the field, former Tiger linebacker Greg Harper said to me: “We got to get this.” I knew exactly what he was talking about. My time had officially come and I was mentally and physically ready for that monumental moment in my life. It was a perfect snap. The second most memorable was in 2004 versus East Carolina in Greenville, North Carolina. The game was tied 35 to 35 and the field goal unit had just run onto the field. I think there were about, maybe 10-20 seconds left on the game clock. I knew I had to give our holder Ryan Ivey a perfect snap so he could give Stephen a perfect hold. It was perfect and looking back I thoroughly enjoyed being part of a last second field goal to win a game.

5. You worked a lot with kickers and punters. Are they really as quirky as they are made out to be?

YES! I’ll step up and admit out of all of the “specialists” during my time at Memphis, I was probably the quirkiest. Our unit would joke and harass me (in good nature, of course) about some of the things I would do. I was known to literally snap the full length of practices during my redshirt season. I would do crazy snapping drills where I’d lay on the ground, get up, spin around three times, and then try to snap a ball directly into the goal post. Weird stuff! We were all definitely unique, I’ll say that. We each had quirky personality traits about us. Stephen Gostkowski was “Mr. Cool Under Pressure.” Well, we see where that got him! Michael Gibson was the laid back, country boy. For him, regardless of what mood he was in, it was hard to tell because he kept the same demeanor at practice and during the games. Trey Adams was like the little kid of the bunch. He always brought a lot of youthful enthusiasm and jokes, which we all needed at times. Brandon Roberson was also a practical joker; however, he was always the buffer between us and Coach West. If at any moment we thought Coach West was angry or frustrated with us, we would get Brandon to talk to Coach West and see what was going on. Ryan Ivey was kind of like a dad-figure; always full of wisdom and good life experience stories. Jared Bidne was the work-out fanatic. He majored in Exercise Science and was always talking about the latest training techniques. Matt Reagan was the quiet, shy, reserved type. He rarely got angry, rarely shouted or raised his voice. He and I are polar opposites.

6. What are your thoughts on the Highland Hundred?

As a former Tiger football player, I can never thank them enough for what they do. I encourage ALL players – past and present – to always take the time to thank a HH member whenever they see one or a few. However, I do believe that more needs to be done in regards to spreading the word about the Highland Hundred. The Memphis general public needs to be made aware of what this organization does and stands for. In addition to this, the HH needs more recognition and applause. To any HH member reading my words right now, I say “thank you, thank you, thank you. You will never fully know what you mean to Tiger football. Sure, there are other things that you could be doing with your money, time, and energy on a Saturday afternoon/night/whenever the Tigers play. However, you CHOOSE to support the Tigers with your resources, time, money, and energy. That is not and as long as I’m alive and breathing will never be forgotten and taken for granted. You are greatly loved and appreciated!”

Let’s do a bonus question…
Bonus question–What position would you have like to have played in addition to your long snapper duties?

Unbeknownst to many people, I actually did play defensive end in a practice during my senior season. It was in fact, my last practice of my senior season (and subsequently, my career). I had approached Coach West with the idea of taking some reps of pass rush at defensive end during a practice. He said he’d think about it. So, when that very last practice came around he remembered my request and asked me, in front of the entire team, who I wanted to pass rush against. Without hesitation and reservation, I loudly called out: “Brandon Pearce!!!” The team started “hooping & hollering” about; they were very excited! So, I lined up against Pearce for two rounds. I got past him to the quarterback on the first round. However, in round two, I wasn’t so fortunate….I learned rather quickly why Pearce is an All-Conference USA lineman!!!