Bruce Steve, main studio anchor : It’s just over a week to go until the DSFL draft and local Shubutan L’Gazzy Burfict is vying to be picked by one of the divisions top teams. There hasn’t been that much talk on social media about the linebacker so to get a better idea of how he has been preparing and what he feels his chances are, we sent BoBo Saxton to sit down with him for a Clarke County Special Sports Report.
Tape rolls, Saxton and Burfict are stood opposite each other, outside his fathers home. Saxton is dressed in an ill-fitting tracksuit. Burfict is smart, shirt and tie, holding a rough looking football.
Saxton: Huh. I’m here with local linebacker L’Gazzy Burfict. Now, you decided to play college ball for Rutgers rather than staying within the state; why was that and has that decision helped prepare you mentally for the upcoming draft?
Burfict: Thanks BoBo. Blessed to be here speaking with you, man. So yeah… I felt I had to get away, try make a name for myself, let others decide if I could make the cut. I just felt that taking up the Mississippi State offer, I wouldn’t have pushed myself hard enough. I ain’t one of this guys who sits back, lets the team carry me. Me and Rutgers were a good fit and the coaches there improved my game a whole lot. Physically I’m making gains each day; mentally my mind is set straight and I’m focused on playing a big part for whoever picks me up in the draft. I’m blessed Bobo, you feel me?
Saxton: Huh. Yeah, well that all sounds great. Now tell us all a little more about what we can expect from you this season.
Burfict: The three years in college, I’m a different player to the one you saw back in my days at Wayne County. Working out with my father Dion…
Saxton: Huh. Dion, yeah how’s the old guy doing?
Burfict: He’s great BoBo, he’s just looking forward to the draft, probably more excited than me to see which jersey I’ll be wearing next season. But back to my point. Working out with him, working on my feet, my reaction times. He’s old now but he’s never lost that sprinters mentally, laying it all out there, one chance to make it count. And yeah, he’s been passing that over to me. I’m feeling big but I’m feeling quick. Each year in college I improved my tackles, I improved on my sacks. If I can keep that for going, I mean that’s the plan, right?
Saxton: Huh. Now, can you let the folks watching into what it’s like to be coming into a draft; how does that work, how are any scouts reaching out to you?
Burfict: Sure BoBo. Well what can I say… don’t wanna say too much, you feel me?
Saxton: Huh. Well don’t name names, just tell us what you can.
Burfict: Ok sure. Well yeah, some scouts have been reaching out to me – I’m blessed for that, I’m grateful to them all. To be honest, most of them have been very honest, they wanna know what I could bring to the team, what my ambitions are, how I am mentally as well as physically. I’m an honest guy and I tell them how it is, what I want from the game. They’ve seen the mock drafts being put together but they’re wanting to make their own minds up. If I can make this game my future, play on a winning team, make that winning play, that’s every kids dream, right?
Saxton: Huh. Championships?
Burfict: Yeah someday, obviously, that would be amazing right. But I ain’t thinking about stuff like that. I’m just a rookie with everything to prove. There are plenty experienced guys ahead of me on that journey. It’s my job to get into a position where I can compete with them, where I’m starting, making plays, where people start remembering my name. I like flying below the radar a little; I don’t want the opposition QB to know whats hit him until it’s too late. I feel blessed to be in this position and I want to make the most of it, make my father proud, make my sister proud, you know make you all proud. And my mother of course; I know she’s looking down on me. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of her.
Saxton: Huh. Right yes, I bet. It’s clear that you’re a proud guy and I’m sure that I speak on behalf of everyone when I tell you that we’re all behind you here in Clarke County. Keep pushing, keep working, and best of luck in the upcoming draft. Keep your mind focused, don’t pay attention to those mock draft rankings, we know what you can do out there on the field given the chance.
Burfict: Thanks BoBo, and thanks to all the people watching. I wanna make you proud, and whatever happens I know you all got my back, right. I’m blessed with that.
Saxton: Huh. Thank you L’Gazzy. Right, so that was a little update from our very own L’Gazzy Burfict, Rutgers linebacker who is hoping to make us proud wherever he ends up in the upcoming draft. Everyone here at the station wishes him the best of luck and for all you folks watching we’ll be following L’Gazzy through his rookie season. Back to you Leroy.
Steve: Thank you BoBo, and thank you L’Gazzy. As BoBo mentioned, we’ll be running a weekly special to follow this young talent through his rookie season. Check you schedules and watch out for “L’Gazzy Burfictare to Dream” starting next week. We’ll be back with the weather report after this commercial break.
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Tape rolls, Saxton and Burfict are stood opposite each other, outside his fathers home. Saxton is dressed in an ill-fitting tracksuit. Burfict is smart, shirt and tie, holding a rough looking football.
Saxton: Huh. I’m here with local linebacker L’Gazzy Burfict. Now, you decided to play college ball for Rutgers rather than staying within the state; why was that and has that decision helped prepare you mentally for the upcoming draft?
Burfict: Thanks BoBo. Blessed to be here speaking with you, man. So yeah… I felt I had to get away, try make a name for myself, let others decide if I could make the cut. I just felt that taking up the Mississippi State offer, I wouldn’t have pushed myself hard enough. I ain’t one of this guys who sits back, lets the team carry me. Me and Rutgers were a good fit and the coaches there improved my game a whole lot. Physically I’m making gains each day; mentally my mind is set straight and I’m focused on playing a big part for whoever picks me up in the draft. I’m blessed Bobo, you feel me?
Saxton: Huh. Yeah, well that all sounds great. Now tell us all a little more about what we can expect from you this season.
Burfict: The three years in college, I’m a different player to the one you saw back in my days at Wayne County. Working out with my father Dion…
Saxton: Huh. Dion, yeah how’s the old guy doing?
Burfict: He’s great BoBo, he’s just looking forward to the draft, probably more excited than me to see which jersey I’ll be wearing next season. But back to my point. Working out with him, working on my feet, my reaction times. He’s old now but he’s never lost that sprinters mentally, laying it all out there, one chance to make it count. And yeah, he’s been passing that over to me. I’m feeling big but I’m feeling quick. Each year in college I improved my tackles, I improved on my sacks. If I can keep that for going, I mean that’s the plan, right?
Saxton: Huh. Now, can you let the folks watching into what it’s like to be coming into a draft; how does that work, how are any scouts reaching out to you?
Burfict: Sure BoBo. Well what can I say… don’t wanna say too much, you feel me?
Saxton: Huh. Well don’t name names, just tell us what you can.
Burfict: Ok sure. Well yeah, some scouts have been reaching out to me – I’m blessed for that, I’m grateful to them all. To be honest, most of them have been very honest, they wanna know what I could bring to the team, what my ambitions are, how I am mentally as well as physically. I’m an honest guy and I tell them how it is, what I want from the game. They’ve seen the mock drafts being put together but they’re wanting to make their own minds up. If I can make this game my future, play on a winning team, make that winning play, that’s every kids dream, right?
Saxton: Huh. Championships?
Burfict: Yeah someday, obviously, that would be amazing right. But I ain’t thinking about stuff like that. I’m just a rookie with everything to prove. There are plenty experienced guys ahead of me on that journey. It’s my job to get into a position where I can compete with them, where I’m starting, making plays, where people start remembering my name. I like flying below the radar a little; I don’t want the opposition QB to know whats hit him until it’s too late. I feel blessed to be in this position and I want to make the most of it, make my father proud, make my sister proud, you know make you all proud. And my mother of course; I know she’s looking down on me. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of her.
Saxton: Huh. Right yes, I bet. It’s clear that you’re a proud guy and I’m sure that I speak on behalf of everyone when I tell you that we’re all behind you here in Clarke County. Keep pushing, keep working, and best of luck in the upcoming draft. Keep your mind focused, don’t pay attention to those mock draft rankings, we know what you can do out there on the field given the chance.
Burfict: Thanks BoBo, and thanks to all the people watching. I wanna make you proud, and whatever happens I know you all got my back, right. I’m blessed with that.
Saxton: Huh. Thank you L’Gazzy. Right, so that was a little update from our very own L’Gazzy Burfict, Rutgers linebacker who is hoping to make us proud wherever he ends up in the upcoming draft. Everyone here at the station wishes him the best of luck and for all you folks watching we’ll be following L’Gazzy through his rookie season. Back to you Leroy.
Steve: Thank you BoBo, and thank you L’Gazzy. As BoBo mentioned, we’ll be running a weekly special to follow this young talent through his rookie season. Check you schedules and watch out for “L’Gazzy Burfictare to Dream” starting next week. We’ll be back with the weather report after this commercial break.
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