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Anton Richardson | Baldwin Wallace University | LB
Q: Tell us about your college career and what the recruiting process was like. Why did you choose Baldwin Wallace University?
A: My college career was everything that a young African-American male coming from Chicago who enjoys the fine arts, eager to learn from all walks of life and wants to obtain a degree while playing football could ask for. I wasn’t recruited by the big-name schools, a few small schools showed interest in my talents but they were in state schools and I knew there’s more in life than just the Chicago skyline illumining in the bitterness of the winter or the hazy summer nights. In retrospect, Baldwin Wallace was not in my top five schools of where I saw myself living for the next 4-years, let alone, I was not even recruited by them. I took a leap of faith, drove 5 hours to Berea, meet with the then-head coach, John Snell, took a tour of the campus and I know this was the place I wanted to attend—it was home away from home. Before taking the trip to Baldwin Wallace, I had the slightest clue of where the school was even located. But it was Berea, Ohio, Northeast Ohio, home of the most beloved, hard-working, dedicated, blue-collar individuals you’ll meet and those characteristics of the small city that grew on me. I will forever be thankful that God had put me in place when I needed to be, if not I would not be here today to tell my side of the story. It was a match made in heaven, the school that was right for me.
Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?
A: The biggest accomplishment in my sports career thus far was keeping my faith in the game that brought so much into my life. Things didn’t go as I planned it would turn out to be. I dreamt of the idea of me going to a big-time college, play in front of thousands of die-hard fans, and leave school in 3-years and into the draft. I thought about quitting and find a new passion to fill pain and suffering of helplessness of when I realized that maybe this wasn’t for me after all. But it was my courage and will that drove me past of despair and sorrow into hope and a newfound love for the game of football. Now, to think about it, going that route was not supposed to be part of my story. Sure, that would’ve been a nice, fitting story to tell but that story has been told already. By me, the author and the editor of my own story, my own life, why not make this the greatest story ever told?
Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at Baldwin Wallace University?
A: One of the more important things I’ve learned from the coaching staff while playing at Baldwin Wallace was that when a coach is telling you how to improve/hone in on your craft and you disregard whatever they told you, those comments/encouragement will stop coming. When a coach stops talking to you that could mean one of two things: he has either given up on you or notices you are not coachable.
Both are never good.
Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?
A: My major is in Creative Writing with dual minors in Psychology and Diversity/Gender Studies. The game has 100% percent retirement rate, whether I play two years or go on to have a long, fruitful career, someday I would eventually have to shift my gears into a different career. I had given it some thought and that career would be founding my own non-profit organization mentorship program that focuses on inner-city youth to combat their emotions in writing instead of violence that will only continue a vicious cycle that has plagued most neighborhoods in my city. It would be a safe space where mentors will be assigned mentees based on what they aspire to be in life. A bond and connectedness would be forming creating a family-like environment where all are welcomed with no judgment at all.
Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?
A: My teammates will say that I am a person who leads by example. I was never the vocal leader who demanded to be heard, so I decided to let my work ethic, the way that I carry myself speak volumes on and off the field. My teammates would also say that I treat everybody with the utmost respect, whether you have been in the program for years of just getting started I would take the time to get to know that individual and listen to them because you may never know what they will teach you or by you just talking could make their day.
Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?
A: The most memorable play of my career would have to be the first sack I had in college. It was my first start and it was against our rival. I have spent all summer thinking about which QB in my conference would have the privilege of being the first of many of my sacks that I would garner throughout my college career and what my celebration would be. When it finally happened, I didn’t know how to respond so the sack dance I’ve prepared for this exact moment slipped my mind because I was overcome by excitement and pure bliss.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?
A: The biggest challenge I had dealt with was me moving from home to attend college two states away. I didn’t know anyone, I was going to be on my own for the first time in my life in that fashion and my mom wasn’t going to be there (physically) to comfort me. How I manage it was by finding a group of individuals on campus and the team as well who was going to be there for me when I needed to talk to or just get my mind off of football when it became too much because a healthy balance is imperative to be your absolute best.
Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?
A: I wouldn’t compare myself to a pro athlete because we are unique in own way. They have their unique talents and I have my unique talents which make us separate and therefore cannot be compared out of respect of what they have achieved in their respective sport/position.
Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?
A: My biggest strength would have to be my willingness to give everything that I absolutely can give to help the team whatever may be needed. If it’s going down the field and covering a punt or getting a key tackle to stop the other team’s momentum, I would scrap tooth and nails to get the job done and that’s what I would bring to a pro team, my grit and work ethic.
Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back”/”pay it forward” in your community?
A: Yes, I am currently mentoring high school, first-year collegiate athletes. My strength and conditioning, Kenny Kendal has a program where kids from all over the Chicagoland area come and train for their respective sports. However, it goes beyond just working out, I attend their games, get to know their family and have individual talks to them to let them know what life is like in high school and in college. I want to live out my dreams so I can tell them to achieve and go after theirs. It is possible if you have the right mindset and surround yourself with the right group of individuals.
Q: How are you preparing for the 2020 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?
A: My preparation for the 2020 National Scouting Combine has put me in the best I ever been mentally, emotionally, and physically. I have been training 4-5 days a week with strength and conditioning as well as attending yoga classes to help with my flexibility, endurance, and headspace. My goal is to show pro-scouts that I am where I need to be in order to make a team and make a difference for that team.
Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?
A: My ultimate achievement would be me telling my mom that her son made it and she doesn’t have to worry anything me. All she has to do is sit back and enjoy life because she has done so much for my brother and me whether it was working two jobs to support us or waiting in the car for my two and half hour practice to be over within the dog days of summer. I want to capture that moment where I can tell her that and see the reaction on her face. Whether it’s football or a different career, she wouldn’t have to worry about anything else.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?
A: I enjoy reading books, attending yoga classes and spending time with family; get away from all the distractions that our society tends to employs.
Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?
A: My mother. There’s no other person on this earth that I know would do 1/10th of what she’s have done to help me get me where I need to be in life. She has helped me keep my head on straight and has given me the courage and love to help me realize that I can, in fact, keep the dream alive of me playing for a professional team someday. I model my work ethic from her, getting the job done without any complaints and doing what needs to be done.
Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?
A: Something that is unique about me would be I have several published writing materials that often catch people of guard because they wouldn’t expect an individual like me to play football and have a love for writing as well.
