POWERGRAMS

18 and a chance to go to the SEC Championship to face the Florida Gators. We won the game 9-0 that evening and despite the cold and bitterness of the day, it seemed as if the sun had come out by game's end. We won the SEC West, shut out Alabama in their home stadium for the third time in a row, and made sure the Crimson Tide fans heard about it for the next 364 days. HOW MY FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE HELPS ME AT WORK AND LIFE I've been playing football since I was 9 years old. The one thing that football taught me is that you cannot get any more out of life than what you put into it. If you want to win a championship, then you have to prepare, practice and train on a championship level. The same thought process applies to life, family and work. And, last but not least, if a team is going to be successful, each team member has to make the success of the team a priority, and make individual goals secondary. Selfishness is like a disease to teamwork. I apply the same thought process in life. DeWayne Taylor Birmingham Division Accounting Ser vices manager University of Louisville Running back/strong safety 1996-2000 MEMORABLE MOMENT My most memorable moment was breaking the Baldwin County rushing record for most yards (311) in a game. It was my junior year; we were playing against Williamson High School at the historic Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. Williamson had one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, Tee Martin (who went on to quarterback the University of Tennessee to a national championship). There were numerous scouts who had come to the game to see Martin play. But that night I was discovered. After continued success on the field and in the classroom during my junior and senior years, it landed me many scholarship offers. Those opportunities allowed me to obtain a great education at the University of Louisville, to become a better man and father, and experience a successful career at Alabama Power Company. HOW MY FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE HELPS ME AT WORK AND LIFE I played football from the time I was 6 until I was 22 years old. Sixteen years of football cost me a broken hand, a broken toe, two torn quadriceps muscles, a sprained medial collateral ligament and countless other bumps and bruises. Nearly all of these injuries came during my college years. Despite the injuries and pains, I wouldn't trade my experience for anything in this world. The life lessons I have learned shaped my character and made me the man I am today: a man who is accountable for himself, to his family and to his co-workers; a man who understands the importance of discipline, working hard, competing, leading and following; a man who exemplifies integrity, sacrifice and the ability to accomplish something bigger than oneself. These are all character traits I strive to pass along to my son as well as other young men and women that I am blessed to influence. My years of playing football have had a tremendous impact on my life and have successfully prepared me to be a servant leader at home, in my community and to my teammates of the Birmingham Division. Spencer Williams Eastern Division Market specialist University of North Alabama Fullback and linebacker 1985 -1987 Division II national runner-up 1985 MEMORABLE MOMENT It was a hard-fought game with West Georgia near the end of the season. We were tied for first place. Down by 3 points, we threw a Hail Mary pass downfield, which was intercepted. As we begin to walk toward the bench, we noticed the opposing player was trying to run it back instead of downing the ball and ending the game. One of our receivers laid a lick on him and my roommate scooped the ball and scored with 00:00 on the clock. I still wonder if that guy was ever allowed back on campus. HOW MY FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE HELPS ME AT WORK AND LIFE Football taught me the discipline to work toward a goal and to take pride in all that I do. In a hot August practice, it can be tough to stay focused on a game three weeks away. Hard work always pays off if you stay focused on your ultimate goals. Williams says sport taught him discipline. Taylor today. Taylor played for Louisville Cardinals.

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