Marvin White Is Ready To Hit Something
8/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2006
The following is an interview from "The Frog Log," a section that is devoted to featuring TCU student-athletes and their lives outside the field. To view future stories, click "The Frog Log" link on the right-hand side of sidebar at GoFrogs.com.
If you are driving around campus today and peer through the TCU football practice field gates, you might see a man running around, all alone. He'll be backpedaling, making sharp cuts and likely talking to himself aloud, reminding himself to make every second, every step count.
Between rests in the 100-degree Texas heat, he'll stop to pick up his cell phone that keeps ringing. On the other end it won't be his buddies asking him to meet up for lunch but rather it's his three-year-old daughter who wants to speak to her daddy. As sweat drips down the face of the man, nothing else in the world matters except hearing about her day. Today it's about cartoons; tomorrow it might be about her day at the park. After he talks to Christina for a while, it's time for daddy to go back to work and off he runs.
The man is TCU senior safety Marvin White and he would like to start the season today, this morning, for the love of all that's decent, right now! But he'll have to wait another week since the reigning Mountain West Conference (MWC) champion TCU Horned Frogs don't begin fall camp until Friday. Until then, White will rest in his bed each night, visualizing that early September day when he will suit up in Purple and White and prepare for the most important season of his football career. There is a lot at stake and he has a lot more to play for than the average student-athlete.
He has a future to prepare for, a family to take care of and group of teammates that want to see him achieve his goals and much more . . .
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GoFrogs.com: So Marvin, what are your thoughts on starting fall camp next week?
MW: I'm just ready! I'm most excited about just getting out there on the field and seeing what our team can do to prepare for the season. I'm also excited to see what our younger guys can do, specifically our corners.
GoFrogs.com: What are some of the things you do off the field together that you enjoy?
MW: The things we do outside of being on the field that I really enjoy is that we go to church together. That binds us together and gives us a lot of chemistry. We also go out to eat together and do group activities. Doing these kinds of things sets the tone for the season because we become each other's families. It's important for the chemistry to be right both on and off the field.
GoFrogs.com: What are some personal and team goals you have for the upcoming season?
MW: I want to lead the team in tackles and lead the nation in interceptions. As for team goals, I want to win each game, one at a time and go undefeated in the Mountain West Conference. If these things happen and fall into place, there is always a chance to go to a BCS bowl, which would be a dream come true for my senior season.
GoFrogs.com: So, tell us what you have been doing during the off-season to improve on your game?
MW: I have been working on improving my man-skills because my man-skills weren't the best. Coach [Chad] Glasgow has been giving me tips to improve them because once they develop I will be more of a threat. Down the road, if I can improve on those skills, I will be more of a complete player, which in turn would help my NFL draft stock.
GoFrogs.com: So for those of us that might not know what `man-skills' mean, sum it up for us in a sentence.
MW: Man skills are how you defend or cover a person one-on-one.
GoFrogs.com: Outside of football, what did you do over the summer?
MW: I just hung out with my friends and played video games. I also fished and spent time with girlfriend, Gabrielle. She just moved down here from Louisiana so I've been spending a lot of time with her.
GoFrogs.com: Speaking of Gabrielle, how important is it for you to have her in Texas?
MW: It is going to be real important because when things get hard she'll be there to offer advice and encourage me. Since she has already graduated from college she understands the importance of an education.
GoFrogs.com: Great, so did you go on any vacations over the summer?
MW: The only vacation I went on was during the Fourth of July weekend. I went home to see my mom and my daughter.
GoFrogs.com: Tell us about your daughter.
MW: I would love to! Her name is Christina Alexis Meyers and she is three years old. She is the most precious thing in my life. She is what keeps me going. I know each time I step on the field that I'm competing not only for me, but Christina as well. I want to make a better life for her and that gives me daily motivation. Christina's mom just lost her dad so they are going through a tough time financially and mentally. So, I find peace out here on the football field and that's what makes me want to go harder each day in practice. My little girl is my inspiration and that's where my drive and hunger for the game comes from. I want to provide for my daughter so she can have a better life than I had.
GoFrogs.com: Has Christina seen you play?
MW: She knows I'm a football player. She has never seen me play but she has plans to come out this year.
GoFrogs.com: You mentioned your mom. What kind of role does she play in your athletic career?
MW: My mom, Terrie Thomas, is my No. 1 fan. In high school I went through some tough times and without her, I truly don't think I'd be here right now. There is nothing like a mom...she just understands me and knows where I come from. Besides my daughter, she is the most important thing in my life. I play for my mom and daughter.
GoFrogs.com: What are the phone conversations with her like after games?
MW: My mom talks about the game, how I play, and she points out when I missed tackles and things like that. She knows football.
GoFrogs.com: Let's go back to football. Tell us what the keys are to beating that Texas heat once camp starts.
MW: Your body is your investment. You have to know your body and realistically we know that we can't come out here and run hard in 100-degree weather unless we are well conditioned and hydrated. Texas weather is just different; Fluids, lots of rest and just an overall sense of understanding your personal physical limitations are essential.
GoFrogs.com: You always speak highly of your coaches. Describe Coach Gary Patterson in your own terms.
MW: Coach Patterson is a great guy. I am so much of a better player because of Gary Patterson. He is real smart and it's obvious that he truly cares about making you the best that you can be. I think the best thing that ever happened to me was playing for Coach Patterson and my position coach, Coach Glasgow. He has done such a good job of making me a better man-player. He invests so much into his players and I think that is why players respect him so much. I give my hat off to them.
I also think it's important that I mention my strength and conditioning coach, Coach Don Sommer. He has been working real hard with me. Since I have arrived at TCU, I have gained 10-15 good, solid pounds. I am so happy Coach Patterson and Coach Glascow recruited me...as cheesy as it sounds, it was truly the best thing to ever happen to me.
GoFrogs.com: So, for those of us who may not know, what is Coach Patterson like away from the field?
MW: Off the field, he is a father figure. Coach Patterson is never off-limits...he has an open door policy unlike most head coaches. He will sit down with you and explain how important it is to plan ahead and things like that. He has good advice. He always says "You have to plan ahead if you want to be successful in the world..." and that is something that really sticks with me.
 His teammates call him Gator, we call him 'That quick, No. 26..." | |
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GoFrogs.com: Okay, thanks Marvin for providing us a little insight on TCU Football. Before we go, answer the following questions for us and say the first thing that comes to mind:
Celebrity dream date
Beyonce
Singer or group you like that people may not expect
Rolling Stones
Favorite pair of shoes
Jordan's
If your team was on Survivor, who would be the ultimate winner?
I'd have to say Tommy Blake because he is SURVIVOR-STRONG. He works real hard and knows how to survive in any situation, so I'd pick Tommy.
Best nickname on the team
Um, I like my nickname. The boys call me Gator because I'm from Louisiana.
First quote that comes to mind
"If you're weak, you're beat!"
Any tattoos and if so, what's their meaning?
I have a picture of my mom drawn on my arm that says "Momma's Boy." I want to get another tattoo that says "Never Satisfied" because you can never be satisfied with what you did. No one will ever remember the last thing you did.
Do you cook? What's your favorite thing to make
No, I don't cook but my favorite meal is Gumbo.
If you had a derby horse, what would its name be?
Man of Steel
Something you would not do for a million dollars.
I'm scared of heights so something like skydiving.
Using the initials in your name...give me three adjectives to describe you:
M - Marvelous
L (Lee) - Loveable
W - Winner
