Post by The Grim Reaper on Jun 20, 2008 18:53:55 GMT -5
Woodruff plays on in wake of tragedy
By Shawn Singleton
Morning News
Published: June 19, 2008
FLORENCE — Any fan who watches the Florence Phantoms practice at the Florence Civic Center or The Byrnes Schools will see a team having loads of fun doing what they love the most.
Look even closer and one will see Rontrell Woodruff playing with reckless abandon.
The Phantoms’ defensive back is one of many stars on a unit that has stymied opponents in its last six games, allowing just 23 points per game in a league in which scoring is encouraged.
“We’re out there having fun,” said Woodruff, who has three interceptions this season. “We’re a complete unit that wants to win an (American Indoor Football Association) title.”
“I couldn’t ask for a more committed player. That’s why I brought him here when he was released from the Green Bay Blizzard (of Arena Football-2),” Florence general manager Bennie King said. “He brings it every practice and every game.”
However, unlike the rest of Woodruff’s teammates, this season has been tougher than most.
A tough loss
Throughout his football journey, Woodruff’s biggest fan was his older brother Roderick.
As he prepared for Florence’s road meeting Reading, Rontrell Woodruff learned Roderick lost his battle with sickle cell anemia at the age of 30.
“Once it happened, my whole world changed,” Woodruff said. “It made me look at my life and appreciate everything, my family and my children.”
Woodruff played that game, and every game since. But his mind doesn’t wander far from his brother’s memory.
“He was my best friend. I had several offers on the table from other teams but he told me to come (to Florence) and make the best situation I could out of it,” Woodruff said. “I keep his picture by my bed. It keeps me strong and focused while I’m here.”
King said the way Woodruff has handled an almost unbearable tragedy is an inspiration to every person around him.
“It speaks volumes to his character as a man,” he said. “I’ve known his family in Detroit for years and his uncle told me all about him and his character. That’s why he’s playing for the Phantoms.”
Learning the indoor game
Woodruff knows he has the game to play indoor football, but he isn’t afraid to ask for advice from his teammates.
After all, he has several sources to go to for help adjusting to the AIFA. One is his former Eastern Michigan teammate and scoring threat A.J. Bennett.
But a major source in his maturation arrived when defensive back Larry Thompson joined the team. Thompson landed in Florence two months ago after a financial dispute ended his tenure in Huntington, and Woodruff immediately sought the veteran’s advice.
“When you have veteran players on the defense that are willing to teach the young players how to play the game the right way, your defense is going to be very good,” Woodruff said.
Thompson said the young safety has been a willing student on a team that sees one goal and one goal only — a league championship.
“He’s a great guy. He wants to learn,” Thompson said of Woodruff. “A lot of guys think they know everything about football. He realizes that this is an opportunity and a privilege.”
By Shawn Singleton
Morning News
Published: June 19, 2008
FLORENCE — Any fan who watches the Florence Phantoms practice at the Florence Civic Center or The Byrnes Schools will see a team having loads of fun doing what they love the most.
Look even closer and one will see Rontrell Woodruff playing with reckless abandon.
The Phantoms’ defensive back is one of many stars on a unit that has stymied opponents in its last six games, allowing just 23 points per game in a league in which scoring is encouraged.
“We’re out there having fun,” said Woodruff, who has three interceptions this season. “We’re a complete unit that wants to win an (American Indoor Football Association) title.”
“I couldn’t ask for a more committed player. That’s why I brought him here when he was released from the Green Bay Blizzard (of Arena Football-2),” Florence general manager Bennie King said. “He brings it every practice and every game.”
However, unlike the rest of Woodruff’s teammates, this season has been tougher than most.
A tough loss
Throughout his football journey, Woodruff’s biggest fan was his older brother Roderick.
As he prepared for Florence’s road meeting Reading, Rontrell Woodruff learned Roderick lost his battle with sickle cell anemia at the age of 30.
“Once it happened, my whole world changed,” Woodruff said. “It made me look at my life and appreciate everything, my family and my children.”
Woodruff played that game, and every game since. But his mind doesn’t wander far from his brother’s memory.
“He was my best friend. I had several offers on the table from other teams but he told me to come (to Florence) and make the best situation I could out of it,” Woodruff said. “I keep his picture by my bed. It keeps me strong and focused while I’m here.”
King said the way Woodruff has handled an almost unbearable tragedy is an inspiration to every person around him.
“It speaks volumes to his character as a man,” he said. “I’ve known his family in Detroit for years and his uncle told me all about him and his character. That’s why he’s playing for the Phantoms.”
Learning the indoor game
Woodruff knows he has the game to play indoor football, but he isn’t afraid to ask for advice from his teammates.
After all, he has several sources to go to for help adjusting to the AIFA. One is his former Eastern Michigan teammate and scoring threat A.J. Bennett.
But a major source in his maturation arrived when defensive back Larry Thompson joined the team. Thompson landed in Florence two months ago after a financial dispute ended his tenure in Huntington, and Woodruff immediately sought the veteran’s advice.
“When you have veteran players on the defense that are willing to teach the young players how to play the game the right way, your defense is going to be very good,” Woodruff said.
Thompson said the young safety has been a willing student on a team that sees one goal and one goal only — a league championship.
“He’s a great guy. He wants to learn,” Thompson said of Woodruff. “A lot of guys think they know everything about football. He realizes that this is an opportunity and a privilege.”