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LB Coach James Laurinaitis (2x B1G DPOY, 2006 Nagurski, 2007 Butkus, 2008 Lott, 3x All-American, OSU HOF)

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Q&A with James Laurinaitis
James Laurinaitis just finished his second season at linebacker with the St. Louis Rams.
By MICHAEL RAND, Star Tribune
Last update: January 9, 2011

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John Froschauer, Associated Press

James Laurinaitis just finished his second season at linebacker with the St. Louis Rams. Before that, he was a standout at Ohio State and Wayzata High -- where he also gained attention as the son of Joe Laurinaitis, a former pro wrestler who was part of The Road Warriors tag team duo. Laurinaitis, who plans to take Joe to the Super Bowl this year -- the first one for father and son -- recently chatted with the Star Tribune's Michael Rand.

Q You played in two BCS title games. Having been on that stage, any words of wisdom you would you give players from the teams set to square off Monday?

A I would say enjoy every bit of the experience. You go through a lot of stuff, but the moments don't come around a lot. They're not guaranteed. You might never be in that situation again. And in the game, do what you've been doing all year.

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http://www.startribune.com/sports/v...o8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUoD3aPc:_2yc:a_ncyD_MDCiU
 
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James Laurinaitis discusses faith, football at Fairfield Christian Academy
Mar. 12, 2011
Written by
SEAN GOLDEN

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James Laurinaitis speaks to attendees at Fairfield Christian Church on Friday as part of the third annual Knight of Excellence event. Laurinaitis discussed his personal faith and his journey as a Christian. / Rob Hardin, Eagle-Gazette

LANCASTER -- Fairfield Christian Academy athletic director Robb Bolar said he hoped attendees at the school's third-annual "Knight of Excellence" would get two important things out of the evening.

"I hope they get out of it that Fairfield Christian Academy is serious about trying to be excellent in the athletic arena: Shooting for the stars," Bolar said. "But that we also want to be true to the mission of our school -- to talk about our faith and hope that people listen to that message."

The event's keynote speaker -- former Ohio State and current St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis -- spoke to an attentive crowd at Fairfield Christian Church about his journey as a Christian as well as a football player.

Laurinaitis included details about how he came to choose Ohio State as well as how he felt his faith was strengthened in college as well as in the National Football League.

"I always feel it's an honor to talk about your faith in public," Laurinaitis said. "It's interesting how God has moved in my life -- not always in ways I've understood. I hope that with the platform I've been blessed with that, maybe some people who came here tonight just to see me might leave wanting to open up their Bible."

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http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110312/SPORTS/103120313
 
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Laurinaitis was considered a top prospect for the NFL after his junior season. He was all but a lock to be a top 10 pick in the annual NFL draft, which would have earned him a multimillion-dollar contract.

Laurinaitis said he pondered the matter and left much of his decision on whether to go pro or stay at OSU to prayer.

"I felt that God was telling me, ‘You have more to do at Ohio State,'" he said.

And so Laurinaitis returned for another season of donning scarlet and gray on Saturday afternoons.

But after another impressive season, Laurinaitis wasn't quite as big of a prospect after his senior year, though he said he felt like it was just as good as his previous year. The draft came around, and he didn't go in the top 10. He didn't even go in the first round. He fell to the second round, where St. Louis took him with the 35th overall pick, a spot he wasn't satisfied with.

"I had a lot of prayers and conversations with God, where I was just like ‘Why? What did I do to deserve this?'" Laurinaitis said of how his draft stock fell.

But as Laurinaitis arrived and began to settle in St. Louis, he said, he came to the realization that this was the way God meant for it to be.

"Now that I look back, it was such a blessing that I went 35th," he said. "Just have faith that God is going to take care of you. He used something that I looked at, at the time, as something terrible that was happening in my life and turned it into an unbelievable lesson."

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http://www.thelantern.com/sports/fo...-about-football-faith-at-ohio-state-1.2156262

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXoXdBsuiug"]YouTube - Being a Christian in the NFL[/ame]
 
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Locked out of what he loves, former Buckeye James Laurinaitis may take his talents to the ring
By Matt Edwards
[email protected]
Published: Monday, April 11, 2011

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Phot courtesy of Sharon M. Steinman / Star-Telegram/MCT
Texas' Billy Pittman (2) takes chase as Ohio State's James Laurinaitis (23) runs back an interception in the third quarter. Ohio State defeated Texas, 24-7, at Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, Saturday, September 9, 2006.

Although four months remain until the NFL season will officially be under way, former Buckeye and current St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis is ready for the NFL and the NFL Players Association to reach an agreement so he can get back to doing what he loves.

"I don't find anything good from being locked out from what we love to do," Laurinaitis said. "I'm a football junkie. I'd rather be there, doing OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and all that stuff."

The lockout has lasted more than a month, but for football fans who fear a fall without the sport, the former Ohio State three-time All-American had some encouraging words.

"I think football will happen," Laurinaitis said. "If I had to put a percent on it, I'd probably say 95 percent."

But if that 5 percent doubt prevails and the NFL doesn't play in 2011, fans of another contact sport might be happy to know he would consider joining their business.

"I should take up pro wrestling. It'd be a natural transition," Laurinaitis said. "I might have to try to get in the ring a little bit, take on John Cena or Randy Orton."

His father, Joe, better known as "The Animal" to World Wrestling Entertainment fans, is a professional-wrestling legend and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in early April.

The younger Laurinaitis might not live up to his father's in-ring legacy, but says it's not out of the question that he would follow in his father's footsteps for a short time if he can't play football.

"I'd consider it," Laurinaitis said. "You don't want to mess around and get hurt. But if it's just a few run-downs here and there or something, I'd maybe at least get some of the training done."

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http://www.thelantern.com/sports/lo...is-may-take-his-talents-to-the-ring-1.2158430
 
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Early verdict favors Rams' Laurinaitis
April, 13, 2011
By Mike Sando

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AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
The Rams' James Laurinaitis "is a star in the making," according to Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.

Selecting Ohio State middle linebacker James Laurinaitis in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft raised questions, initially, as to why the St. Louis Rams passed on a potentially more talented middle linebacker in Rey Maualuga.

Two years later, Laurinaitis has put to rest that question while raising another: Might the third-year Rams linebacker outperform the Seattle Seahawks' Aaron Curry, the undisputed top-ranked linebacker in the 2009 draft? Initial reviews suggest he might.

Fifty-three percent of the first 3,629 poll respondents singled out Laurinaitis as the highly drafted young NFC West linebacker with the brightest NFL future. Curry was second with 38 percent, followed by 2010 Arizona Cardinals second-round choice Daryl Washington with 8 percent. The San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis, already established as arguably the NFL's best linebacker, wasn't part of the survey.

"I think Laurinaitis is a star in the making," Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said. "He is clearly the second-best linebacker in the division. He is going to be headed to Pro Bowls as soon as this upcoming year."

That will be easier said than done given Willis' perennial Pro Bowl status and the limited number of slots available for inside linebackers. But the broader point stands. The Rams found their quarterback on defense before anyone knew they would select an actual quarterback, Sam Bradford, first overall in 2010.

"Laurinaitis brings an attitude to the team," Williamson said. "He is really smart, he is an extension of coach Steve Spagnuolo on the field. He isn't really a banger -- he doesn't take on blocks as well -- but Fred Robbins does a great job keeping him clean and they will likely add another defensive tackle. Laurinaitis is a foundation for that football team."

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http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/39224/early-verdict-favors-rams-laurinaitis
 
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Laurinaitis, Bartell are ready to huddle
BY JIM THOMAS
STLtoday.com
Posted: Saturday, April 16, 2011

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Jeff Roberson St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis celebrates after stopping Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis for a three-yard loss during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Several members of the Rams' offensive line have been working out together for weeks in St. Charles. Many of the team's receivers are talking about getting together with quarterback Sam Bradford in Houston.

And what about the defense? Well, cornerback Ron Bartell and linebacker James Laurinaitis are about to round up the posse.

"I'm actually coming back next Wednesday, the 20th," said Laurinaitis, who has been training in Columbus, Ohio, since the beginning of March. "I'm going to drive back there (to St. Louis) and just kind of remain for a couple months. I've been in contact with Ron Bartell here and there about trying to get a lot of the defense around each other."

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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_9ed43aa8-b7f4-5d05-9ce5-b874595e770a.html

Chat With James Laurinaitis- NBCi video

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FNNf4oFMLw"]YouTube - St Louis Rams 12 years later... part 2 / Like Father Like Son / 4 The Fans[/ame]
 
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