Spohn making impact for War Cats
Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
ROGERS ó Timmy Spohn has no illusions that playing with the Arkansas War Cats this summer will lead to a NFL contract or a call from an ArenaFootball team, although that would be nice.
ì Essentially every player wants to go on and keep playing, î the former Gentry Pioneer said. ì Iím not going to lie about that. î
But Spohnís reasons for returning to the football field are more personal.
ì My real reason is I want to be around this game the rest of my life, î he said. ì I want to coach at the college level or at any level.
ì Plus itís football. Iím a football player. I donít feel right unless I have those pads on. î
After injuring his knee during his freshman year at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M, Spohn was out of football for a couple of years.
He worked out and rehabbed and decided to give the game another try.
ì I knew I could (play again ), î Spohn said. ì Iíve always been pretty resilient about that. You get these football players and you tell them not to do something and they try to prove you wrong. î
He played with the War Cats last summer, before they joined the World Football League, but it was an adjustment getting back into the game. Just like the transition from high school to college, joining the semi-pro level after an injury took some time to get used to.
ì Itís not like you can just jump in there and everythingís hunkydory, î he said.
War Cats coach Raymond House can sometimes see a little bit of hesitation on Spohnís part as he continues to get back to form.
ì You saw a little bit of that in the first game but I see less and less of it when heís out there, î House said. ì Heís a steady beat in the middle (of the defense ) for us. He has the know-how and the athleticism to play all of the linebacker positions. Heís definitely a resource and somebody we count on. î
He played everywhere for the Pioneers. Spohn, an All-Conference selection as a senior in 2003, lined up at quarterback, running back, linebacker, tackle and safety. He led the Pioneers in rushing yards (746 with 11 touchdowns ), tackles (85 ) and sacks.
Former Pioneer coach Jeff Stewart isnít surprised Spohn ó always dedicated as a high school player ó is back on the field and planning to be a coach.
ì Itís not just about coaching and Xs and Os, î Stewart said. ì You have to be able to get along with kids and Timmy had that. A lot of kids looked up to him and he knew how to handle the position of leadership. î
Spohn, who just turned 23, had a team-high seven tackles during the War Catsí 48-0 win in their home opener. He had three the week before during a 37-0 loss in the season opener.
ì That left a horrible taste in our mouths, î Spohn said. ì We knew weíre better athletes than what we played. In practice we were all jacked up, ready to get back on that field and prove to this league and prove to everybody in Rogers we are legitimate. î
ì Heís a guy that knows exactly what his job is within the defense, î House said. ì And he executes what his job is. He gives 100 percent while heís out there. î
Heís also learning from teammates that he looks up to, like former college players Wes Oí Neal (Arkansas ), Steve Agnew (UCA ) and Jason Campbell (Arkansas ).
ì I always refer to this as a work-study program, î Spohn said of playing this summer. ì I have great coaches that Iím learning a ton from. Iím just learning all kinds of stuff from (coaches and teammates ). So when I get my degree and go coach, I can go coach like this. Iíll know all this. î
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