Football from a Panther Alumni

Playoff time is here, and the Panthers are ready! With playoffs here, that means the football season is coming to an end. Since the end of the season is coming, I’ve decided to interview a former Panther that we all know: Rufus French.

Rufus French was a pro athlete who played football. He played football for Ole Miss in college and later went on to play pro for the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. During his career, he was a consensus All-American in 1998 as a tight end. Mr. French was kind enough to share his valuable time with me.

Me: What are some of the things you find similar in our football team now compared to when you played?

Rufus French: The thing I find similar is how close the team is and how long most of these guys have played together.

Me: What's something you miss about playing football?

Rufus French: I miss being a part of a team and playing in front of fans.

Me: Did you like the pro league better than high school football?

Rufus French: I liked playing high school football better. No pressure, no camera, just playing and having fun.

Me: Are there any regrets you have when it comes to football?

Rufus French: I wish I would have worked harder?

Me: What are some good qualities you see in our present-day football team?

Rufus French: They responded well to adversity. They play unity.

Me: What are your opinions on these last few years of Amory High school football?

Rufus French: I think the football program has done a great job.

I asked Rufus these specific questions because they reflect on his entire football career while also giving some input on our current football program. One response I feel was valuable was his response to rather that he preferred high school or pro football. This is interesting because, despite the fans, money, and popularity, he would rather play high school football. Nothing is better than playing at home.