Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
More Than Just A Number
9.27.19 | Football
PHILADELPHIA- The distinction of being a single-digit player for the Temple football team is an honor that few get bestowed upon them. If you know anything about Temple football you know that this is a tradition that isn't taken lightly.
The single-digit tradition is something that Temple takes pride in, but has quickly taken off around the country. Former Temple coaches, Matt Rhule and Geoff Collins, brought the tradition with them to Baylor and Georgia Tech, respectively. Coincidentally, Collins makes his return to Philadelphia to face the Owls on Saturday. The tradition however has spread throughout college football, regardless of where the coaches have come from. Florida State head coach Willie Taggart implemented the same tradition when he took over at FSU.
"It's definitely something we take pride in as being our tradition," said #8 LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley. "It's something that has been around here since Al Golden was head coach and it's cool that coaches have stuck with it along the way. But we definitely claim it as our tradition, everyone else got that from us."
Graham-Mobley is a part of a quartet of single-digit wearing linebackers. The Temple linebacker corps; Chapelle Russell, Sam Franklin, Shaun Bradley, Graham-Mobley, and William Kwenkeu, is as deep and as dominant as it has ever been, and the Owls knew that was going to be the case when Franklin and Graham-Mobley were given their single digits during fall camp.
For Graham-Mobley, an Upper Merion High product, wearing the number eight means a little more than just being honored with wearing a single-digit.
"My dad wore eight when he played in high school," he said. "Eight has always been a special number for him and me because of our relationship together. When I got here, I wore 19 because nine minus one is eight and that was as close as I could get to eight. But now it's nice to be in my favorite number, and it's great that there is such a tradition with the number here."
In the past four years, some of the most notable Owls have also donned the number eight. QB Frank Nutile (2018), DB Artrel Foster (2017), QB Phillip Walker (2016), and LB Tyler Matakevich (2013-15) wore number eight in their time here. But it isn't about just wearing a number, it's about representing what it means to be a single-digit.
"When I first got my single-digit, it was more of a feeling of relief at first," said senior Shaun Bradley who wears number five. "But then I quickly realized that the work had just started for me. Not only does it take hard work to earn a single digit, but you have to prove that you are worthy of it and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to lead the team."
No matter who continues the tradition and what school they come from, single-digits will always be a staple at Temple and will be a cornerstone of the football program. It helps drive the core of Temple TUFF and is a quick snapshot of some of the best players in Temple football history.
The single-digit tradition is something that Temple takes pride in, but has quickly taken off around the country. Former Temple coaches, Matt Rhule and Geoff Collins, brought the tradition with them to Baylor and Georgia Tech, respectively. Coincidentally, Collins makes his return to Philadelphia to face the Owls on Saturday. The tradition however has spread throughout college football, regardless of where the coaches have come from. Florida State head coach Willie Taggart implemented the same tradition when he took over at FSU.
"It's definitely something we take pride in as being our tradition," said #8 LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley. "It's something that has been around here since Al Golden was head coach and it's cool that coaches have stuck with it along the way. But we definitely claim it as our tradition, everyone else got that from us."
Graham-Mobley is a part of a quartet of single-digit wearing linebackers. The Temple linebacker corps; Chapelle Russell, Sam Franklin, Shaun Bradley, Graham-Mobley, and William Kwenkeu, is as deep and as dominant as it has ever been, and the Owls knew that was going to be the case when Franklin and Graham-Mobley were given their single digits during fall camp.
For Graham-Mobley, an Upper Merion High product, wearing the number eight means a little more than just being honored with wearing a single-digit.
"My dad wore eight when he played in high school," he said. "Eight has always been a special number for him and me because of our relationship together. When I got here, I wore 19 because nine minus one is eight and that was as close as I could get to eight. But now it's nice to be in my favorite number, and it's great that there is such a tradition with the number here."
In the past four years, some of the most notable Owls have also donned the number eight. QB Frank Nutile (2018), DB Artrel Foster (2017), QB Phillip Walker (2016), and LB Tyler Matakevich (2013-15) wore number eight in their time here. But it isn't about just wearing a number, it's about representing what it means to be a single-digit.
"When I first got my single-digit, it was more of a feeling of relief at first," said senior Shaun Bradley who wears number five. "But then I quickly realized that the work had just started for me. Not only does it take hard work to earn a single digit, but you have to prove that you are worthy of it and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to lead the team."
No matter who continues the tradition and what school they come from, single-digits will always be a staple at Temple and will be a cornerstone of the football program. It helps drive the core of Temple TUFF and is a quick snapshot of some of the best players in Temple football history.
Players Mentioned
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BUBO
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