|
| From Bowie State to the Steel CityAnd Now...The Super Bowl!
By Anthony Vieira
This year's Super Bowl showcased an outstanding game between the Pittsburgh Steelers
and the Green Bay Packers. But for anyone affiliated with Bowie State University, this game
was all the more intriguing because it presented the chance to see former BSU running
back Issac Redman on the grandest stage in the NFL. His story is truly remarkable, as he is a
member of AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Redman was a star running back for Bowie State University from 2004-2008 and here he
is regarded by many as the very best football player in the school's history. It is a claim that is
heavily supported, as he holds numerous records and is the recipient of notable awards. He is in
fact the all time leading rusher in BSU Bulldog history with 3,300 yards. He was CIAA MVP of
2005 and made the CIAA First Team in 2005 and 2007.
Redman also holds the BSU record for most rushing yards in a single season 1,512. The
Steelers definitely saw something in the young running back when it signed him as an undrafted
free agent in 2009. Though he was initially cut prior to the 2009 season, the Steelers decided to
re-sign him that year. In 2010 he saw his first real season action, as he rushed for 247 yards on
52 carries, which is an impressive 4.7 yards per carry average. He also scored two touchdowns,
none bigger than his nine yard TD reception from Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh's 13-10 win
over Baltimore in December. Earlier in the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
announced that Redman will serve as the team's " primary goal line back" and has done an
outstanding job.
Bowie State sports information director Gregory Goings told reporters, "We're very excited at Bowie State for anybody to make the NFL."
In a recent conversation about Redman, Goings said "he's the prototype running back for the NFL." He later
added, "Less than one percent of players make it into the NFL from smaller division schools."
Goings, who said he hopes the university will plan an event to recognize Redman, also
compared Redman's attributes and style of play to that of St. Louis Rams' running back Steven
Jackson. By becoming the very first BSU Bulldog to compete in the Super Bowl, Redman could
bring national exposure to Bowie State University. Additionally, it could prompt NFL scouts to
take a closer look at lower divisions and/or lesser-known schools.
For Bowie State athletes, Redman's feel-good story can serve as motivation for those
who aspire to play a sport professionally. Moreover, it teaches students that greatness can be
achieved through discipline, dedication, and a dream. The cliché, the sky is the limit is
appropriate here.
|
"My experience at BSU is a wonderful one because of its community setting. The people are very personable. The diversity at BSU has helped shaped the true dynamic of this university." - Tiffanie D. Johnson
Before transitioning into the classroom, Haynes was a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, Ebony, and the Providence Journal-Bulletin. She has two decades of experience as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, essayist, book reviewer, copy editor, news editor, photo editor, and page designer.
Sudarat Tuntivivat describes herself as “a small town girl from Thailand” with a dream of studying other cultures. That dream led her to leave Thailand at 17 to study at Pennsylvania’s Edinboro University. As an undergraduate, Sudarat interned at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, an opportunity that inspired her to pursue an advanced degree at Bowie State University.
