2022 National Scouting Combine Featured Athlete Chris Richardson, DB from The Spring League

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Chris Richardson | The Spring League | SS/OLB 

Instagram: @instablessed31

Q: Tell us about your sports career and what the recruiting/scouting process was like?

A: I have been playing football ever since the eighth Grade. I started playing in Immanuel School for Christian Education (now called Columbus Christian Academy) in 2007. I won the MVP award for playing running back and safety. I had a pretty decent career at Columbus High School, but I didn’t receive any college scholarship offers. Even though I wasn’t able to play college football I continued to play 3 years of semi pro football and one season of professional football (practice squad).

Q: Did you play in college and if so, who did you play for? What was your experience like?

A: I graduated from MUW in my hometown Columbus, MS. They are a division 3 university, but they didn’t have a football program. I decided to play semi pro football in 2017 to stay in the game and flag football during the offseason. I received opportunities to try out for a few professional football organizations such as the Alliance of America Football League (2018), The American National Combine (2019), Columbus Lions Indoor Professional Football team (2019), and the Spring League (2020).

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: My biggest accomplishment would be getting signed to the practice squad by the Spring League Alphas professional football team in 2020. Being on the same team with individuals who competed on the Division 1, Division 2, Indoor Football, NFL and CFL level has shown me how much having faith and working hard pays off.

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from your coach(es)

A: I have learned that it is important to learn from my mistakes and to prepare for the next play. My personal trainer, Russell Tate Sr., also taught me the importance of attacking every challenge and conquering it.

Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?

A: They would say that I am coachable, humble and I always try to find ways to help the team. Whether it’s playing on all special teams or playing both sides of the ball, I am a team player!

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A: My wife recorded me making a big hit during my 2021 Semi Pro football season with the Starkville Steeldawgs football team. I advertised the video clip on my instagram page and it reached 23,000 views. Jukes, a news media company, featured my video clip along with others in their “hit meter” video on their facebook page. The video reached 2.6 million views!

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: My biggest challenge is that I seem to be too hard on myself at times. I carry myself on a high pedestal because I know a lot is expected out of me. I have to always remember that when I mess up on the field I have to remind myself that I am human. Even the greatest athletes make mistakes during a game. I manage it by being a fast learner. If it is a play or technique that I don’t understand, I can dissect it to a level where I can quickly grasp it and execute.

Q: Who was the best player you played against anytime during your career?

A: Jerrime Neal. He was signed as a wide receiver for the Spring League Generals when we were in Texas. We did one-on-one drills every day before practice. His route running is phenomenal!

Q: If you could compare yourself to any pro athlete, who would that be and why?

A: I would compare myself to Troy Polamolu. He is the reason why I became a Pittisburg Steelers fan ever since 2005! He played the game fearlessly! He thrived off of being physical and flying to the ball. That’s how I play!

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you? A: I am a versatile player. I’m a strong safety which is a hybrid of linebacker and safety. I don’t mind covering someone and I most definitely don’t mind dropping down into the box to attack the line of scrimmage. I also enjoy playing special teams! I am willing to play whatever position that will help a team win a championship!

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?

A: Of course! Every thanksgiving I help my former football teammate, Larry Rice, and his family (my extended family) pass out thanksgiving dinners at Sim Scott Park in our hometown Columbus Mississippi. Before the pandemic, I was a camp counselor at a Summer Manhood Camp. Minister Yates would invite young men in his ministry, The Father’s Child Ministry, to his summer camp to be mentored by christian men in the community.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?

A: Spending time with my wife, Clarice Richardson, and my family.

Q: If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?

A: I’ll influence people to not let hard times bring them down in life. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. I was knocked down many times in football. Sometimes it took me longer to get back up than others. No matter how long it took, I still got back up again! Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: I can’t just limit that to one person. I would have to say my parents. When I was a teenager, I was heavily influenced by bad influences in my neighborhood. During that time my parents were doing everything they could to make sure I stayed on the right path. They are also ministers and they would always tell me that being on God’s side was better than being in the streets. The impact they had on my life influenced me to stay on God’s side. If it wasn’t for them and God’s grace, I wouldn’t be here.

Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

A: I am a musician! I have been playing the drums since I was 5 years old. I fell in love with playing the drums before I fell in love with playing football.

Q: If you had the opportunity to play another sport professionally, what sport would you choose?

A: Basketball. I always wanted to play basketball on the side, but was never good at it lol

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job, football wise, is playing in the NFL. After football, I would love to train young athletes on the fundamentals I learned during my career. I’m currently a retail banker. I may grow in the finance industry as

well!

2024 National Scouting Combine

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National Scouting Combine Posts

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