Even in this information age, not everything about a player can be gleaned from pouring over stat boxes and game video.
Fortunately, we have media guides to help us learn more about our favorite players and their lives both on and away from the gridiron. But filtering through the hundreds of pages published by all 14 SEC schools can be quite cumbersome and tedious.
That’s where we step in to lend a hand.
Here are 15 fun tidbits regarding SEC players that we found littered throughout the conference’s preseason media guides that won’t show up on a stat line anytime soon.
FAMOUS FAMILIES
P Shane Tripucka, Texas A&M
“His grandfather, Frank Tripucka, played football at Notre Dame and 15 seasons as a professional. He was named to the 1962 AFL All Star team, is a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and his number 18 was retired by the team (Peyton Manning wore the jersey, with permission).”
DL Adam Butler, Vanderbilt
“Descendant of Texas children’s rights campaigner Edna Gladney, subject of 1940s film ‘Blossoms in the Dust.’”
DB Logan Cheadle, Missouri
“Cousin, Don Cheadle, is an actor who has starred in ‘Ocean’s 11,’ ‘Iron Man 2’ and ‘Iron Man 3.’”
https://twitter.com/PeteScantlebury/status/672608026923171840
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
“His father played basketball at Louisville, scoring 1,624 points and ranking among the school’s all-time top scorers.”
LS Riley Lovingood, Tennessee
“Father Jeff served as Vols’ chaplain under Phillip Fulmer.”
QB Trevor Knight, Texas A&M
“Trevor Knight is the son of George and Tricia Knight. His fraternal twin brother, Connor, is a senior fullback for the Oklahoma Sooners and also serves as the team’s deep snapper.”
FOOD
RB Jojo Kemp, Kentucky
“His favorite meal is chicken and shrimp alfredo that he created, called ‘Wild Alfredo.’ Most people don’t know he likes to put sugar in his popcorn.”
More fun with the @SECNetwork Spring Tour!
Chef JoJo Kemp putting together his favorite dish: Wild Alfredo. ? pic.twitter.com/5Bru3QsbDj
— Kentucky Football Recruiting (@UKStoopsTroops) April 8, 2016
QB Perry Orth, South Carolina
“Worked for a local grocery store stocking shelves to help pay for his education until he was placed on scholarship.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
DL T.J. Smith, Arkansas
“Can play the alto saxophone. Has performed in over 10 theatrical productions and has been a member of drama club for seven years. Volunteers at his local soup kitchen and mentors youth. Can sing country music.”
C Jon Toth, Kentucky
“His favorite meal is a big, juicy steak. He couldn’t live without his moped. His life’s theme song is “Hello” by Adele. Most people don’t know that he speaks Spanish fluently.”
P Corey Fatony, Missouri
“Was a stand-in for actor Michael Ealy for the movie ‘Unconditional.’”
WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
“Tyshun Samuel was born January 15, 1996. The nickname “Deebo” comes from the neighborhood bully character played by actor Tiny Lister in the movie ‘Friday.’”
Things that make you feel old: Deebo Samuel says his name "came from an old movie." That movie is Friday. pic.twitter.com/snbVPsXh0c
— Chris Cox (@Chrisbcox) July 19, 2016
LB Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas
“Has read the entire Harry Potter and Twilight series.”
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL
QB Josh Dobbs, Tennessee
“Spent summer of 2015 at an internship at Pratt & Whitney, where he worked at the world leader in design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines for the United States government.”
WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
“Became the second-ever player to be selected to both the Under Armour football and baseball All-American games.”
I'm officially apart of the San Diego Padres .✨
— AJ BROWN (@1kalwaysopen_) July 15, 2016
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
