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BBC Exclusive: A Conversation With Parris’ Mom – Shelly Woodruff
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Even though her jersey says Parris’ Mom, Shelly Woodruff loves for people to know what her name is and call her by it. She and her family sat in my section in the stadium last season and we had a great time getting to know each other and became friends in the process. Let me preface the conversation with this, she is as genuine as she seems and is one of the nicest people I have ever met.
WVaBuckeye: What was the message that Coach Smith gave you when he called and how did that make you feel?
Shelly Woodruff: Coach Smith identified himself and “asked if I had a minute to talk?” I said of course. He said “Well, I’m calling to discuss something with you regarding Parris that took place this week.” He then proceeded to ask if “I was planning to make a trip to Columbus this weekend for the game?” I reluctantly said umm yes.
I instantly felt sick in the pit of my stomach and had to sit down as I waited for the long period of silence to be over. He finally said “Parris has worked hard and has earned a starting spot as a wide receiver for this Saturday’s game.” After a very long sigh and getting my emotions together I screamed at him “Coach I’m going to get you back for this how could you play with me as if something was wrong?” He said “I know, that wasn’t right. I’m sorry about that but I had to do it!” He then said “I know you have all that gear that says Parris’ Mom on it so make sure you wear it Saturday as you have something to be very proud of!” He then continued ” Parris has done a great job during the off-season and camp for us.”
I told him he gave me a very sick feeling in my stomach and I had to sit down in my office. He laughed and so did Parris who was standing there during the entire phone call laughing at me. I told him I appreciate him and he said “we appreciate you as his mom.” We agreed Coach Smith will have a new name once Parris scores his very first touchdown. New name coming soon…..
Great news from the phone call…. I owe you @CoachZachSmith #payback…
— Shelly Woodruff (@WoodruffShelly) September 1, 2016
WVaBuckeye: With everything Parris went through last season, how has this made him/his family feel?
Woodruff: My family and I are very happy for Parris and all the guys on this amazing team. Last year was tough on Parris as he suffered a major disappointment in the Virginia Tech game which we all know would have been his first touchdown of his college career. Parris was really hard on himself after that. That dream would come up during his sleep repeatedly. Parris and I are very close and we share a lot with each other. He was hard on himself but, as his momma, I couldn’t wait to see him and wrap my arms around him in Blacksburg, VA. I wanted to tell him how proud of him I was being that he had just played his first college football game at the very young age of 18, especially when he could still have been a senior in high school.
It’s something about no matter what he is feeling or going through, when I tell him its gonna be ok and he see a smile on my face…he knows it’s going to be ok. Shortly after that he suffered some injuries and that was difficult as well but I told my son have faith in God and know that God does not make any mistakes and be patient his time would come. I knew it was hard for him but he kept that smile on his face, held his head up, and continued to work hard every week to earn the right to get back out there as the season progressed.
I’m just so proud of him for everything he has accomplished, all the adversity, and the circumstances he has overcome. We both know none of it would be possible without God. I also thank and give a lot of credit to his amazing coaches and the strength and condition staff that work with him daily and continue to push and encourage him, as well as his teammates. We are one happy family. Go Bucks!
— — —
I had an instant reaction to the news as I saw the tweets between Coach Smith and Shelly unfold. My first thoughts were, what is this going to mean to the team? I believe and have believed since he was a junior in high school at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, he was going to make an impact. He was on track to be a difference maker until some things got in the way, as Shelly explained above.
When Campbell has the ball in his hands, his combination of second gear and vision is probably the best on the team. I have seen it with my own eyes in the past and the fact that he was a sprinter makes his instincts golden. I am looking forward to seeing what he is going to accomplish on the field this season.
My secondary thoughts around what this really means to this team is that all bets are off on there being just one work horse(Mike Weber). The wealth is going to be spread around. Campbell will be in the regular mix with others and will make an immediate impact this season. Also, there’s the fact that he was raised to be a well-rounded young man by his momma and that’s always a bonus!
I want to leave you with this. If the coaching staff are pulling out all of the stops in recruiting right now…that definitely doesn’t quit once they are at THE University. Shelly can attest to that! Wouldn’t you love to play for a program that makes you feel that way all through the years you are there? How can you say no to that?
The post BBC Exclusive: A Conversation With Parris’ Mom – Shelly Woodruff appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Even though her jersey says Parris’ Mom, Shelly Woodruff loves for people to know what her name is and call her by it. She and her family sat in my section in the stadium last season and we had a great time getting to know each other and became friends in the process. Let me preface the conversation with this, she is as genuine as she seems and is one of the nicest people I have ever met.
WVaBuckeye: What was the message that Coach Smith gave you when he called and how did that make you feel?
Shelly Woodruff: Coach Smith identified himself and “asked if I had a minute to talk?” I said of course. He said “Well, I’m calling to discuss something with you regarding Parris that took place this week.” He then proceeded to ask if “I was planning to make a trip to Columbus this weekend for the game?” I reluctantly said umm yes.
I instantly felt sick in the pit of my stomach and had to sit down as I waited for the long period of silence to be over. He finally said “Parris has worked hard and has earned a starting spot as a wide receiver for this Saturday’s game.” After a very long sigh and getting my emotions together I screamed at him “Coach I’m going to get you back for this how could you play with me as if something was wrong?” He said “I know, that wasn’t right. I’m sorry about that but I had to do it!” He then said “I know you have all that gear that says Parris’ Mom on it so make sure you wear it Saturday as you have something to be very proud of!” He then continued ” Parris has done a great job during the off-season and camp for us.”
I told him he gave me a very sick feeling in my stomach and I had to sit down in my office. He laughed and so did Parris who was standing there during the entire phone call laughing at me. I told him I appreciate him and he said “we appreciate you as his mom.” We agreed Coach Smith will have a new name once Parris scores his very first touchdown. New name coming soon…..
Great news from the phone call…. I owe you @CoachZachSmith #payback…
— Shelly Woodruff (@WoodruffShelly) September 1, 2016
WVaBuckeye: With everything Parris went through last season, how has this made him/his family feel?
Woodruff: My family and I are very happy for Parris and all the guys on this amazing team. Last year was tough on Parris as he suffered a major disappointment in the Virginia Tech game which we all know would have been his first touchdown of his college career. Parris was really hard on himself after that. That dream would come up during his sleep repeatedly. Parris and I are very close and we share a lot with each other. He was hard on himself but, as his momma, I couldn’t wait to see him and wrap my arms around him in Blacksburg, VA. I wanted to tell him how proud of him I was being that he had just played his first college football game at the very young age of 18, especially when he could still have been a senior in high school.It’s something about no matter what he is feeling or going through, when I tell him its gonna be ok and he see a smile on my face…he knows it’s going to be ok. Shortly after that he suffered some injuries and that was difficult as well but I told my son have faith in God and know that God does not make any mistakes and be patient his time would come. I knew it was hard for him but he kept that smile on his face, held his head up, and continued to work hard every week to earn the right to get back out there as the season progressed.
I’m just so proud of him for everything he has accomplished, all the adversity, and the circumstances he has overcome. We both know none of it would be possible without God. I also thank and give a lot of credit to his amazing coaches and the strength and condition staff that work with him daily and continue to push and encourage him, as well as his teammates. We are one happy family. Go Bucks!
— — —
I had an instant reaction to the news as I saw the tweets between Coach Smith and Shelly unfold. My first thoughts were, what is this going to mean to the team? I believe and have believed since he was a junior in high school at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, he was going to make an impact. He was on track to be a difference maker until some things got in the way, as Shelly explained above.
When Campbell has the ball in his hands, his combination of second gear and vision is probably the best on the team. I have seen it with my own eyes in the past and the fact that he was a sprinter makes his instincts golden. I am looking forward to seeing what he is going to accomplish on the field this season.
My secondary thoughts around what this really means to this team is that all bets are off on there being just one work horse(Mike Weber). The wealth is going to be spread around. Campbell will be in the regular mix with others and will make an immediate impact this season. Also, there’s the fact that he was raised to be a well-rounded young man by his momma and that’s always a bonus!
I want to leave you with this. If the coaching staff are pulling out all of the stops in recruiting right now…that definitely doesn’t quit once they are at THE University. Shelly can attest to that! Wouldn’t you love to play for a program that makes you feel that way all through the years you are there? How can you say no to that?
The post BBC Exclusive: A Conversation With Parris’ Mom – Shelly Woodruff appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...