Heheh, be funny to see him walking around his 6lb Yorkie, wouldn't it? :P
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I got a call Monday from Trey Teague, pro football player for the Buffalo Bills.
Teague is a blast from my past as sports editor at The Sun. I covered his football games at University School of Jackson and the University of Tennessee before the Denver Broncos made him their final pick in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL draft.
He is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Ashley Louviere of Jackson, and they have one dependent, an 18-month-old Yorkshire terrier named Gracie.
''Gracie looks cute and nice, but she's pretty ferocious,'' Trey said in jest. ''She knows better than to mess with me.''
Teague admits to getting chastised for his choice in canines.
''It's hard to get away with having a 6-pound dog when you weigh 300 pounds,'' said the 6-foot-5, 305-pound center.
The Teagues have a house in Buffalo, N.Y., but spend the off-season living in Jackson. They expect to eventually build a home in the Jackson area, but Trey has been busy this spring keeping pace with the Buffalo Bills' new coaching staff and offensive game plan. Since March, he has spent at least 10 days a month in Buffalo preparing for next season.
''More and more it's becoming a year-round job,'' Teague said.
For those who aren't sports fans, it is important to note that Teague is a survivor. The odds are dramatically stacked against a last-round draft pick ever making it in the NFL. But no one works harder at his craft, and Teague's versatility on the offensive line made him a keeper. Lighter than most linemen at about 290 pounds back in 1998, he played left tackle at Denver and was the center for punts and placements, earning more and more playing time. But in the Broncos' second game of 2000, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. His season was over, and his future was in doubt.
That's when his blue-collar work ethic really kicked into high gear. He had surgery and worked on recovery five days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
''You have to look at something like that as a challenge,'' Teague said at the time. ''You have to make your mind up that 'this isn't going to hold me back.' I believe any adversity makes you a stronger person.''
All the work paid off, and the next season Teague started every game for Denver at left tackle in 2001. That improved his worth when he became an unrestricted free agent in January of 2002. Two months later, he agreed to a four-year, $10 million deal with Buffalo, including a $1.5 million signing bonus. The past two seasons, he has started every game at center for the Bills.
All that experience is something Teague has wanted to share with area high school players for several years. After much planning, he's finally worked out dates for a football camp for linemen and tight ends on July 16-17 at USJ from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It's called ''Trey Teague's Trench Warriors'' and is for linemen in grades 9 through 12.
The cost is a modest $60, and lunch is included. Green Bay Packers tackle Chad Clifton, who formerly played at Westview and Tennessee, will work both days of camp, along with former Milan and Big Orange lineman John Fisher. Coaches can attend for $10.
''There's nothing of its kind for linemen in this area,'' Teague said. ''There's no contact, just strictly instructional. I think area kids could benefit from guys who play their position for a living. I want it to be fun for everybody.''
For more information, call (731) 660-3180. And if you attend, beware - just in case Gracie shows up.
http://miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/cgi-...00406136220401