to in order to hande the ensuing pounding that resulted from Troy’s recommitment to the run, Southward knows that it takes a special endurance to succeed. In addition, Southward says that it’s all about the mindset that you carry on the field. His mindset is one of quiet defiance and well-deserved confidence. “I’m a small running back but I don’t see myself as a small running back. When I play, I want to feel like I’m the biggest guy on the field,” Southward said. “When I’m on the field, I believe I’m the biggest, fastest, strongest guy out there.”
Shawn Southward “The brotherhood that we share as a team, with the coaches,” Southward said when asked what would stick with him most during his time at Troy. “It’s like a big family at Troy.”
“The thing that I saw more than anything was his competitive spirit, his fight, his will to win and I knew he was going to be a great player one day. He wasn’t worried about the other guys on the team, he came here to compete.” Offensive Coordinator Kenny Edenfield
That mindset has paid off for him. But the thing is, everything that Southward has done, is designed to pay off for the Troy Trojans. Sure, he holds fond memories of the games and bowls won as well as the championships claimed, but he said that the lasting impression he would have would be a bond that was virtually unbreakable, a bond with those he went into battle with every Saturday.
Edenfield said that Southward’s selfless and cheery nature is something that he would always remember about the teenager he once recruited, and the man he is honored to coach; that, along with Southward’s unrelenting optimism.
“I would say that more than anything, he’s just a good person. He’s really good at hiding things… what I mean by that is if he’s having a bad day, nobody will know it,” Edenfield said. “He’s able to mask that and present the image of “Man, I’m having my best day ever”. I think he exemplifies that more than anything,” But while Southward continues to climb the record books and improve on what is already
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a great personal season, he has refused to let these accolades define him. At the end of the day, he considers himself nothing more than a football player that tries to be a key contributor for his team and a leader by example. If he can do that, Southward would find himself more than content. “I’m still the same guy, I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing since I got here and that’s play football,” Southward said. “I do what I’m told to do and that’s the right thing to do.” Southward looks at himself through a shade of humility. Edenfield gushed about his humbleness and as a person, had a sterling opinion of one of the Sun Belt’s most dangerous weapons on the field and most affable men off of it. What Edenfield saw in Southward seven years ago, he still sees to this day. Perhaps he sees it even more so now. “I think, more than anything, he’s exactly what we recruited. He’s a high-quality kid, he’s got great character, great work ethic and he’s got great respect for his teammates and his coaches,” Edenfield said. “He’s the kind of guy you’d love to have a whole team like. He just comes to work every day and brings his lunch pail. I wish we could keep him for another five years.” While that may not be possible, Southward has a chance to enjoy the now. And he’s intent on going out the same way that he came in, someone who is willing to compete and is able to help his teammates. When people look back on Southward, he hopes that they see him as more than the shifty runner with sick moves and underrated power. He hopes that they see him as more than the only person to ever lead Troy in rushing from the beginning to the end of his college career. Southward’s career is about two things: victory and ways to contribute to that. His last games are dedicated solely to those goals. Failure is not an option for him, and it never will be. “I’m out there for my teammates, not for me. If the stats come, they come. If they don’t, they don’t. If we’re winning, that’s all that matters.”
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