BleedGopher
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per Chris:
When University of Minnesota long snapper Payton Jordahl was 3 years old, his daycare would tell his mother, Kim, they were going to have to start charging her extra because he kept bringing his imaginary football team with him.
Some years later, about six miles south of Ottertail, Minn., Kim found herself singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in her backyard multiple times, as Payton and some kids in the neighborhood stood with their hands over their hearts. A goal post made of old telephone poles built by Payton’s grandpa served as the backdrop.
A new chapter
So the 51st college football game of Payton's career will be his last. He enters Wednesday's game with 498 snaps, 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. He was a walk-on in 2014 and got a scholarship from then-Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys after the 2015 season.
"Payton is an elite young man who represents the absolute best in collegiate athletics," said current Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck. "He is an academic All-American and all four phases of his life — academics, athletics, social and spiritual — are extremely important to him. ... His legacy of doing things the right way on and off the field will have a lasting impact on our program. I could not be prouder of what he has accomplished during his time as a Gopher."
His first game was against No. 2-ranked Texas Christian University on national television. Payton will always remember his first game against TCU, games at Ohio State, the double-overtime loss to Penn State when Payton said, "This fella named Saquon Barkley was pretty good," and the win over Wisconsin this season in what could've been Payton's last game.
Before the next chapter begins, there's one more game of football and Payton will play it as he has every snap.
"I’m gonna soak it in, enjoy the moment and play this game like I’m a kid in the backyard one last time, playing with my buddies," Payton said. "It’s gonna go fast and I’m gonna make sure I don’t take it for granted."
https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/spor...e-reflects-career-final-football-game-gophers
Go Gophers!!
When University of Minnesota long snapper Payton Jordahl was 3 years old, his daycare would tell his mother, Kim, they were going to have to start charging her extra because he kept bringing his imaginary football team with him.
Some years later, about six miles south of Ottertail, Minn., Kim found herself singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in her backyard multiple times, as Payton and some kids in the neighborhood stood with their hands over their hearts. A goal post made of old telephone poles built by Payton’s grandpa served as the backdrop.
A new chapter
So the 51st college football game of Payton's career will be his last. He enters Wednesday's game with 498 snaps, 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. He was a walk-on in 2014 and got a scholarship from then-Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys after the 2015 season.
"Payton is an elite young man who represents the absolute best in collegiate athletics," said current Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck. "He is an academic All-American and all four phases of his life — academics, athletics, social and spiritual — are extremely important to him. ... His legacy of doing things the right way on and off the field will have a lasting impact on our program. I could not be prouder of what he has accomplished during his time as a Gopher."
His first game was against No. 2-ranked Texas Christian University on national television. Payton will always remember his first game against TCU, games at Ohio State, the double-overtime loss to Penn State when Payton said, "This fella named Saquon Barkley was pretty good," and the win over Wisconsin this season in what could've been Payton's last game.
Before the next chapter begins, there's one more game of football and Payton will play it as he has every snap.
"I’m gonna soak it in, enjoy the moment and play this game like I’m a kid in the backyard one last time, playing with my buddies," Payton said. "It’s gonna go fast and I’m gonna make sure I don’t take it for granted."
https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/spor...e-reflects-career-final-football-game-gophers
Go Gophers!!