🏈 Courtney Upshaw

[Duder]

By far the most polite athlete I've met. I'll post some pics later and more "story" if anyone wants it. The guy is cool as hell.

 

[doemasters]

sure would love more information

 

[JoshB]

yea post the story... ive been round him a cpl times during signings in Eufaula and he's always treated everybody awesome, never refusing a pic or just chitchat with whoever was standing there. good dude.

 

[Duder]

A few of the postable (is that a word?) highlights:

His girlfriend is hot and super-cool. She and my wife kept each other occupied.

Unlike EVERY OTHER Bama player I've met? Courtney says Coach Saban was the same hard-ass on a recruiting visit as on the practice field. He is literally the only person that has ever said that.

Saban was "much looser" the second time around against LSU. They knew the defense would play lights out, the offense was a nice surprise. Shocked that LSU didn't change their game plan that much.

Worse Saban out lashes: 2008 Utah- because they weren't playing to their full capacity (does that not read like a Saban sound bite?) and I'll let you pick the other but it was meant to fire them up to squash the comeback that he saw coming

Defense will be fine this year. CJ Mosely is a "monster". After seeing parts of spring ball, Yeldon is "the truth". He couldn't resist taking a jab at me when he said that.

He has no real preference for his NFL team. He isn't nervous yet but it became "real" when he was picking out his suit. He figures nerves will hit Wednesday.

A few Auburn notes: McCalebb is the fastest player he's ever seen. Kiehl Frazier is going to be a "great" QB and is much faster than he looks on film.

A few personal thought: He is one of the most physically imposing people I've been around. You don't have a true appreciation for his size until you stand next to him.

He is THE most polite people I've ever met. Before he left he shook hands with all the men involved, hugged the few women that were involved. He was great with kids. Never turned down a request to write extra stuff on an item. As you can imagine, "Touch That Thang Fo" was rather popular.

When I told him I was an Auburn fan he broke down our team for me through his experiences with the remaining players and what he's been told by his friends on the team. Some of your less polite brethren overheard and started trying to mock me and HE stepped in to stop them, shook my hand (again) in front of them and such. Super, super nice guy. I'm looking forward to working with him again in B'Ham.

I'll try to upload the pics tonight

 

[Duder]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjtoler/sets/72157629874000571/

The pictures are in the process of uploading now so give it some time but this will take you directly to that set.

For those interested, I'm the goofy looking guy in the red Reebok/CrossFit shirt sitting next to him or handing him stuff in most of these pictures

 

[JoshB]

Great story, gonna miss that dude.

 

[doemasters]

so you are now starting to wear red? Thanks for the story and the pictures

 

[BamaCore]

Oh wow, Duder. I thought you were older for some reason. Haha.

Anyways, I love hearing your stories and insight that you get from getting to do these things with the players. Really good stuff and I much appreciate you dropping in here to give us all the details.

 

[Duder]

so you are now starting to wear red? Thanks for the story and the pictures

CrossFit loyalty!

 

[Duder]

Oh wow, Duder. I thought you were older for some reason. Haha.

Anyways, I love hearing your stories and insight that you get from getting to do these things with the players. Really good stuff and I much appreciate you dropping in here to give us all the details.

Ha, I feel older sometimes but "only" 30.

No problem. I'm glad you guys enjoy. It's usually a lot of fun. I thought the Saban info would intrigue some.

 

[LBS]

I do appreciate this Duder. Sharing stories like this, regardless of school, is always good for the sport.

What I find most pleasing is to compare your impression of this young man who was raised in an environment that could have turned him against the world. It sounds like this is a success story.

 

['65 Cobra]

Thanks for sharing Duder. You're a class act and a welcome "differing opinion" on this board.

Courtney seems like a genuine good guy. It's amazing he plays so mean, cuz he does that - he is one mean dude on the field. Some NFL team is going to be glad they ignored the pro day stats and 40 yard dash times. Dude is a beast of a football player. We will miss him for sure.

 

[cjaytch]

Thanks for the pics and the stories Duder!