Imagine facing off on the football practice field — unknowingly — against the president of the university.
That’s just what happened Sunday morning at the first full pad practice of the Thomas More College football team.
TMC President David A. Armstrong secretly suited up and took the field.
A former football player and coach, Armstrong aimed to motivate the football team. It worked.
But he also had a big point to make about the importance of football, proving he’s a great teacher as well.
“I’m out here to show that American football is the greatest sport ever,” Armstrong said. “It has all the elements you need. It’s about the education of the mind body and spirit.
“Football involves a positive attitude, hard work, discipline and teambuilding — what this country needs right now.
“This country needs football today more than ever.”
Cam Hansel, senior defensive lineman, and David Armstrong,
President Armstrong donned Thomas More blue practice pants, cleats, full pads, and a helmet with a dark visor to hide his identity.
“I’m excited to be back in pads again,” President Armstrong said before taking the field. “I know there’s not many more years I can do something like this, so I figured, I better get it done now.”
Masquerading as offensive lineman #61, he waited on the sidelines for his turn in the Oklahoma Drill. The Oklahoma Drill is football practice technique used to test players in confined, full-contact situations. The technique was developed by Oklahoma Sooners coach Bud Wilkinson. The hitting exercise is a rite of passage that heralds the start of the football season.
When called out by coaches, three players, a defender, a blocker and a ball carrier, take their positions surrounded by teammates.
On Sunday morning, the ball carrier crouched in the backfield was President Armstrong, aka blocker #61, who squatted in the turf.
Cam Hansel, Simon Kenton grad, faces off against his surprise opponent.
Opposite him, defensive lineman senior Cam Hansel, did the same, not knowing who he was about to hit. A split second later, like two runaway trains, the pair met and went to the ground, and the drill ended.
President Armstrong threw off his helmet and revealed his identity as shocked players burst into cheers.
“I’m certainly not in hitting shape, I’ll say that!” Armstrong said after the drill was over. “I think we were able to surprise them, feels pretty good.”
While certainly entertaining, President Armstrong’s surprise walk-on wasn’t just fun and games. A former football coach and player himself, his goal was to motivate the team and reinforce his belief in the value of American football.
“There’s no colors on this team, other than blue and white,” Armstrong said.
The Thomas More Saints home opener is Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. against Franklin University.
Facing off.
FANTASTIC story! Kudos to Armstrong! What a great idea and how fun for the team. We need more educators like Armstrong and not just for football. By all accounts he is extraordinary.
Hello there, it is such an interesting blog post. I just love the story, it is simply amazing. Thank you for sharing this information.