Temple University Athletics
Levi Brown First to Claim Single Digits
8.15.13 | Football
'The bigger, the better'
This is not the case in head coach Matt Rhule's mind when it comes to assigning jersey numbers. Rhule sporadically throughout training camp will be assigning the numbers one through nine to players who he feels represents the type of toughness he wants in a Temple football player.
Former Owls head coach Al Golden brought the tradition to North Broad, when he was Temple's head coach from 2005-2010. Rhule, who was an assistant on Golden's staff from 2005-2010, spoke with his upperclassmen upon his return this year and it was a unanimous decision to bring the one through nine tough guy jerseys back.
"To me toughness is not like pounding your head and going to hit guys, toughness is doing everything right and making your times in the gassers when you are tired," Rhule said. "Or if you are a wide receiver running routes and running them full speed, that is toughness, not being physical but also being mentally tough. You really want to reward that on your team."
"His body fat went down from 23 percent to 18 percent over the summer, so this was an accumulation from over the spring and summer. So far in camp I think he has been a real leader, he can get coached hard if he does something wrong, I can jump all over him and he just says, 'Yes, coach.' He has no agenda or ego; he is just a team guy. There is not one guy on the team that would deny, that he is the first guy that should be there wearing number 9."
Yesterday defensive lineman Levi Brown was awarded the number nine. Continuously throughout camp, Brown has been a leader on and off the field, motivating players to give their best effort every snap. He himself has been playing extremely well creating all sorts of havoc in the backfield.
When asked about the significance of being able to wear the number nine in his final year Brown said, ""I am very appreciative, I have worked hard throughout my whole career, and it has finally paid off. I am going into my senior year so I am excited to wear the number and I am going to wear it proudly."
The 6-2 300-lb., Brown, has mostly played nose tackle, accounting for 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and half-a-sack in last years campaign for the Owls. He plans on improving from his junior year, and really carrying the defense on his back.
"I am just trying to get better every day, it wasn't about just trying to get the number and then feel complacent," Brown said. "That is the worst thing to do as a player is feel complacent, and I just want to continue to improve each day. I have a lot of areas in my game where I have to improve."
Addressing his teammates after his was awarded the number nine, Brown stressed the importance of being one of the tough guys on the team. He encouraged the younger players on the team to strive for one day donning one through nine on their jersey.
"I addressed some other guys I thought were tough guys on the team, such as Center Kyle Friend," Brown stated. "In my mind he is one of the toughest guy on the team. Eventually it should be one of their goals as the younger guys on the team to wear a single digit. It's something to work for."
Brown credits his coaches, specifically defensive line coach Brandon Noble for his achievements as well. Noble is a nine-year veteran of the NFL where he played for the 49ers, Cowboys and Redskins, respectively.
Speaking of Noble, Brown said, "Coach Noble played my position so it's easy to relate to him. He played in the NFL for nine years so everything he says I am just trying to absorb it. You have to respect somebody like that … he really knows how to get the point across."
Rhule indicated that he will assign number one through eight over the next few days.
"I think this way each player gets their moment," he said. "They each will be recognized in front of their coaches and teammates."
