By Robert Sampson, WKU Athletics
The motivation to win football games is strong for any athlete. But WKU senior Rico Brown has added desire to not just win, but to win the right way. He does it because he is a role model to his five-year old son, Tristan.
"He is my motivation," said Brown. "Everyday, I come out and step on the field or go to the classroom, I am thinking about him. He looks up to me. I have to be his role model."
Brown, a native of Berea, Ky., speaks glowingly of the son he has raised while playing football for the Hilltoppers.
"If you meet my son, you will see a mini-me," said Brown. "He has my personality, he has my smile. He is energetic. He lights up the room when he walks in… He is the light of my world."
The challenge of being a parent at a young age has made the defensive back realize his own need for change throw his own growth and maturity.
"I had to grow up fast because being a parent is a big responsibility," said Brown. "My life is a lot different than that of a lot of guys my age because I have to take care of my son. It (allowed me to) grow up faster and mature quicker than a lot of people my age."
Change hasn't just been a theme for Brown off the field as a parent, but on the field as well. Brown converted from a wide receiver to defensive back prior to his redshirt junior season in 2013.
"I played defense in high school, so it was natural," said Brown. "It just took a minute to get back in the groove."
Brown appeared in all 12 games last season at defensive back, finishing the season with 29 tackles after converting from wide receiver in the spring.
It wasn't that the wide receiver position had treated Brown poorly, as he ranked fifth on the team in receptions (13) and sixth in receiving yards (194) in 2012 while recording a career-long 70-yard reception on WKU's first offensive play of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Central Michigan on Dec. 26, 2012, setting up an eventual touchdown. Instead, it was time for a positive change for Brown.
"Change is good sometimes," said Brown. "Moving to defense helped me. It was for the better."
Whether a wide receiver or defensive back, Brown's son isn't sure he will follow in his father's football footsteps even though Tristan enjoys the weekly trips to see his dad perform on the gridiron.
"He says he wants to play baseball," said Brown. "I told him football is in his bloodlines but he wants to play baseball. I will support him in whatever he decides to do."
Future athletic endeavours for Tristan may be up in the air but at the end of the day, one thing is certain for Brown.
"I love being a father."
