BleedGopher
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per the U:
GopherSports: What was that first conversation like between you and Coach Fleck after you were cleared to compete in 2020?
Rashod Bateman: It was pretty cool. I was at practice one day and he came up to me and told me the news before practice started. We went through that and then shared it with the team.
GS: Discuss what went into the decision to change your number to zero and what you hope to achieve.
RB: It's bigger than me. It's bigger than football. It's about life. I feel like I have a platform that I was blessed with and I can use to spread positive change. There's zero tolerance for racism here in Minnesota. There should be zero tolerance in the United States and in the world when it comes to racism. I feel like I could use my jersey number for positive change.
GS: This week, the Gophers go on the road to face Maryland, the place where you caught your first college touchdown back in 2018. Talk about your growth since then and what it is like to return to the place where it all began.
RB: Just being a freshman, shout out to my teammates and coaching staff. They have all developed me and pushed me to be the player that I am today. Going back to where I caught my first touchdown, it'll definitely be special to me. I just want to thank my coaches and teammates for pushing me to be the best I can be.
GS: How did not having any non-conference action to open the season change the way the team prepares?
RB: Football is football, no matter who you play. Our first non-conference games last year were probably some of our closest games that we had all year. It doesn't really matter the team that you play, you just have to be prepared to play every week. That's what we need to focus on and that's what we'll do.
GS: Where is the best place to eat in Dinkytown?
RB: I have to go with Raising Cane's, probably. I used to get a box combo, but I upgraded to the Cainiac Combo. It's one more chicken tender for you, so that's usually what I get.
GS: Have you spoken with former Gopher wide receiver Tyler Johnson since his breakout games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
RB: I talked to him after the Green Bay game and I just texted him and was like, 'Keep setting an example for us here. We're all looking up to you.' Things like that. I just remember watching him playing that night. He caught the first pass and I jumped up, threw the remote, all that type of stuff. I was just really excited to see him back on the field and doing what he does.
GS: What is the most interesting thing you did during quarantine over the past several months?
RB: I bonded with friends more. I feel like quarantine gave us an opportunity to connect more with our friends. During quarantine, one person I hung out with was Chris Autman-Bell… he started skateboarding. He kind of misses it, too, to be honest, because he doesn't have time for it anymore.
GS: If you had to be one teammate for a day, who would it be?
RB: I would probably say Tanner Morgan, because I'm not bald-headed yet, so I kind of want to know how it feels to be bald-headed as a young adult. So, I'm going to have to say Tanner.
gophersports.com
Go Gophers!!
GopherSports: What was that first conversation like between you and Coach Fleck after you were cleared to compete in 2020?
Rashod Bateman: It was pretty cool. I was at practice one day and he came up to me and told me the news before practice started. We went through that and then shared it with the team.
GS: Discuss what went into the decision to change your number to zero and what you hope to achieve.
RB: It's bigger than me. It's bigger than football. It's about life. I feel like I have a platform that I was blessed with and I can use to spread positive change. There's zero tolerance for racism here in Minnesota. There should be zero tolerance in the United States and in the world when it comes to racism. I feel like I could use my jersey number for positive change.
GS: This week, the Gophers go on the road to face Maryland, the place where you caught your first college touchdown back in 2018. Talk about your growth since then and what it is like to return to the place where it all began.
RB: Just being a freshman, shout out to my teammates and coaching staff. They have all developed me and pushed me to be the player that I am today. Going back to where I caught my first touchdown, it'll definitely be special to me. I just want to thank my coaches and teammates for pushing me to be the best I can be.
GS: How did not having any non-conference action to open the season change the way the team prepares?
RB: Football is football, no matter who you play. Our first non-conference games last year were probably some of our closest games that we had all year. It doesn't really matter the team that you play, you just have to be prepared to play every week. That's what we need to focus on and that's what we'll do.
GS: Where is the best place to eat in Dinkytown?
RB: I have to go with Raising Cane's, probably. I used to get a box combo, but I upgraded to the Cainiac Combo. It's one more chicken tender for you, so that's usually what I get.
GS: Have you spoken with former Gopher wide receiver Tyler Johnson since his breakout games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
RB: I talked to him after the Green Bay game and I just texted him and was like, 'Keep setting an example for us here. We're all looking up to you.' Things like that. I just remember watching him playing that night. He caught the first pass and I jumped up, threw the remote, all that type of stuff. I was just really excited to see him back on the field and doing what he does.
GS: What is the most interesting thing you did during quarantine over the past several months?
RB: I bonded with friends more. I feel like quarantine gave us an opportunity to connect more with our friends. During quarantine, one person I hung out with was Chris Autman-Bell… he started skateboarding. He kind of misses it, too, to be honest, because he doesn't have time for it anymore.
GS: If you had to be one teammate for a day, who would it be?
RB: I would probably say Tanner Morgan, because I'm not bald-headed yet, so I kind of want to know how it feels to be bald-headed as a young adult. So, I'm going to have to say Tanner.
University of Minnesota Athletics
Go Gophers!!