2008 Woodie Awards
Race signs with San Diego Chargers
"It's all up to me now"
RYAN ATKINSON
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Front Page
- Page 1 of 1
The most prolific scorer in Pittsburg State and NCAA Division II football history is headed to America's Finest City. Germaine Race, a Pittsburg State senior, signed an unrestricted free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night, just minutes after the conclusion of the NFL draft. "I can get back to what I've been doing my whole life - playing football," Race said. "I'm not really nervous, I'm anxious and excited to get out there and actually prove myself." Race, who rushed for 6,985 yards in his four years at Pittsburg State, said that he was leaning toward a contract with the Chicago Bears, but conversations with the Chargers on Sunday - the second and final day of the draft - changed his mind. "They called me at the beginning of the seventh (and final) round, saying that they would like to pick me up in the seventh round," Race said on Monday afternoon outside the athletic offices in the Garfield Weede Physical Education Building. "And if they didn't they would definitely be calling me in free agency." That seventh round ended without Race's name being announced and just 15 minutes later the Chargers were on the phone. Race and his agent agreed that San Diego would be the best fit for the 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back and a contract was signed. "It just seemed like they wanted me more," Race said of the Chargers. "(Chicago) ended up getting a running back in the draft and in free agency ... (San Diego) seemed like a better fit and a better situation." The Chargers, of course, do not need a star running back. Pro Bowler LaDanian Tomlinson broke a single season record last year with 28 touchdowns and rushed for a league-high 1,815 yards. San Diego does, however, need a reliable backup for Tomlinson. Michael Turner was that backup last season and he was on the trading block in the weeks leading up to the draft. The Chargers chose to keep Turner, but Race said he is confident that he will be in the mix for Turner's position. "They look at me as a Michael Turner," he said. "If I can make the team, which hopefully I will, I can take over that spot maybe ... it will be a fight, but I'm going there thinking like I'm going to win it. It's a foot in the door. It's all up to me now. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to prove that I'm good enough to play with the boys." Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, in a press release on chargers.com, said that Race and the 22 other free agents who signed after the draft will have a chance to prove themselves. "I love creating competition," he said. "These guys come in here and work their tails off as they try to become professionals. It makes everyone better, and as history has shown, we've found quite a few underrated players make our team and help us win." Race leaves for San Diego today (May 3) and will take part in a three-day mini-camp over the weekend. Race said he is excited about he opportunity to represent Pittsburg State in the NFL. "I'll always be a Gorilla," he said. "Once a Gorilla, always a Gorilla. It'll be nice to represent Pitt State and kind of carry on our tradition." |
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c
posted 9/15/07 @ 12:25 PM CST
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clint
posted 10/19/07 @ 5:31 PM CST
Yea i was at this game and i was pretty impresed how good germaine is at running the ball, i think he is one of the best halfbacks in ncaa football history behind reggie bush. (Continued…)
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