Nov. 14, 2005

By: Jennifer Reid
Samford Sports Information

Senior free safety Brad Booth had some difficulties when he first came to Samford. The Baton Rouge, La. native had a tough time adjusting to his new role with the Bulldogs.

Booth, a former quarterback had some difficulties learning a new position when he was asked to switch to the other side of the ball. However, with a little help from the coaching staff, particularly Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Mike O'Toole, the Air Force Academy transfer was able figure out the position change.

"Coach O'Toole has really helped me through everything since I came to Samford," Booth said. "I had to switch from a quarterback to a defensive back, and it was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. I figured a new position wouldn't be that big of a deal, but it's a totally different mindset and physicality of the game. Coach O'Toole always told me that I had the tools and the ability, that I just needed to keep working. He stayed on me hard as a coach, but his encouragement allowed me to keep pushing."

His hard work paid off, as Booth continued to improve every year of his Samford career. Booth tallied 63 tackles in his junior year, compared to the 10 he notched as a sophomore. Booth has improved in every statistical category from his sophomore year to his junior year, a testament to his dedication on the field. Recently, Booth's leadership skills were recognized as well, when the 6-1 senior was named a captain for 2005.

Booth entered the 2005 season full of excitement and hope. The captain was expected to see significant action on the field, and was ready to do whatever he had to to help the Bulldogs win. Then, everything came crashing down, and Booth was left with frustration. Booth received a career-ending diagnosis that forced him to sit out his senior season.

"Really the best way that I've been able to describe it is I feel lost," said Booth. "On game day, I don't really know where to go. Do I go in the locker room with the team or do I go hang out in the quad like a normal student? It's just a weird feeling.

"It's hard for me to be around the guys, especially on game day when they're trying to get focused," Booth said. "It's tough for me. It's fine on an every day basis though, going to practice, going to meetings and still feeling like I'm part of the team. The guys are great around me; they just encourage me and let me know I'm part of the team."

Despite his inability to play, Booth has still fulfilled his role as a leader on the team, just in a different way than he was planning on.

"I've had to accept a different role," Booth said. "I can't go out there and make plays and make things happen. I have to be on the sidelines encouraging and helping the younger players with their reads. I'm trying to watch the other team's offense and see if there's anything I can catch there. It's just a different role in leadership, a different role on the team that I've had to accept."

Booth has dedicated his time to working with the younger players on the team, helping them develop and prepare for competition on the collegiate level.

"We've had a lot of injuries in the defensive backfield, so we've had a lot of young guys playing," said Booth. "I've really been trying to pick those guys up, because there's a lot to learn those first couple of weeks when you're making the transition from high school to college. I've been helping them with the basics."

Booth has faced the reality that he'll never play full-contact football again. As a member of the team, he finds himself missing a number of things about the game, but knows that there will be more to miss when he leaves Samford.

"Right now, I miss the energy of the game, everything from the nervousness before to making that big play and your teammates going crazy," Booth said. "You can't really create that anywhere else. I'm playing flag football now, but it's not the same. When I graduate and move on, I'm going to miss the guys, because we've got a great group of guys. My teammates are awesome."

Of course, even though graduation is looming on the horizon, Booth doesn't plan on leaving Samford any time soon.

"I'm getting my application together to apply to Cumberland Law School. Hopefully I'll be around on campus for another three years. I'll be more in the books than I'll be involved with football, but I'll still be around."