Everyone reacts differently when the hard times come. Some turn to their pets, others turn to those around them, and others still immerse themselves in their passions. For Sam Davenport, football has helped him to refocus his energy in the good and the bad times.
“For as long as I can remember, football has been my passion, before any other sport,” he says. “This sport means a lot to me and regardless of how far I go with it, I know that I will always play football.”
Playing for eight years now, the 5’11, 150-pound athlete is extremely versatile having played multiple positions throughout his young career.
“[I] played community football for seven plus years. I was a kicker and a defensive back for those seven years and played a little bit of QB,” he explains. “In my first year of high school, I played kicker and defensive back. This year was the first year I started playing wide receiver.”
And his stat line isn’t bad when we hadĀ a look. Playing for Robert Bateman Secondary in the BC High School Football League, Davenport had 19 receptions for 398 receiving yards, averaging 20.95 yards per reception to go along with 6 touchdowns as a wide receiver and as a defensive back, he registered 16 tackles, and 2 interceptions. He has also won the Top Defensive Back award.
When we asked if he had any goals going into the CFCFPC, he responded, “My goal is to get my name out and make sure coaches and players know that I take this sport seriously and that I am willing to compete with and against athletes who will push me to be the very best I can be.”
This healthy competitive drive will serve Davenport well when he goes to train in the off-season in preparation for the CFCFPC as well as for next season. He plays basketball as well as participates in a strength and conditioning program with his school and on his own in his spare time. He says that this year he plans to increase the intensity of his workouts as well as start to play flag football and rugby to increase his athletic ability.
But this type of motivation doesn’t just happen. There are usually deeper factors at play. Davenport goes on to point out who has been a pillar and a role model for him in his life.
“My Dad is my football idol. He has always been there for me when I was playing, whether it was putting in the time to coach or being there as a committed father. He is always there to support me,” he explains. “I look up to him as someone who played as a teenager and knows how the game works. My Dad would, and still does, push me when I am not playing my hardest or putting my best effort in. He is my idol because no matter what, he is always there for me.”
#84 Sam Davenport (Photo Credit: Rick MacDonald Photography)
Sam Davenport (#84)
Position(s): WR, K, DB
Ht/Wt: 5’11, 150 lbs
Teams:Ā Abbotsford Falcons, Fraser Valley All-Star Team, Robert Bateman TimberwolvesĀ
Class: 2019
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