Lee embraces opportunities

Another game brings another opportunity for Southern University quarterback Bryant Lee.
The 21-year-old Boutte native started his football career at a young age.
“I had older cousins that played football and influenced me to play, but it all started with little league,” Lee said.
Lee eventually got the hang of the game each year that he played and when he entered high school, he wasn’t sure what position that he would actually play.
“The coach at my high school saw that I could throw the football well, so he told me to play quarterback.”
During his freshman year at Hahnville High School, Lee was on the junior varsity team, but was allowed to travel with the varsity team to get a better understanding of the game.
When Lee entered his sophomore year, he started on the junior varsity team which then lead him to start varsity his junior and senior year.
Coming to Southern was no problem for Lee. Being recruited got him eager and ready to play college football.
“My freshman year, was the learning process for me; I was still waiting for my turn and the coaches told me that they had given me and opportunity to play and I just knew when I got that opportunity, I had to take the best of it.”
As a freshman amongst the upperclassmen, he had to make his mark. By doing this, he ended up starting in the last two games of his freshman year, which placed him as the starting quarterback for the following season.
Each season brings new competition, and with an already positive attitude, Lee makes sure that he is mentally and physically stable for the games.
” I listen to my iPod, and watch the film from the opposing team the night before the game; that really helps me get ready for the game.”
As a busy quarterback and therapeutic recreation major, Lee has to balance not only a football life, but a school and his personal life as well.
” My classes are in the morning, so I have to make time to lift weights, and of course to eat (in the cafeteria), and my personal life which would include playing XBox or PlayStation with the my other teammates.”
Even though football is one of Lee’s loves, he is very much into other sports, such as basketball and baseball, which is his favorite sport.
“In high school I not only played football, I also played basketball.”
When football season ends, Lee is still in sports mode. For the past two years at Southern, Lee has thrown the javelin for track every spring.
Lee values his cousin Alvin Garden and uncle Cantrell Edwards who are the two men that influenced football into his life.
“My cousin and uncle taught me a lot about football and I look up to them for it.”
Lee said that he has a great relationship with the coaches and that there can be time for fun but when its game time, everything is taking very seriously.
“I have a real good relationship with the coaches; we joke around a lot when its time to joke around, but they do get real serious with us when its game time.”
And when it’s game time, teamwork is in full force.
“I also make sure to do what the coaches want me to do, its not a one-man show; I have to let my teammates do their job as well, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates.”
With the season ending, and the big game happening in the Superdome, Lee is ready and even though he may be under a little pressure, he will be prepared.
“Sometimes, I feel that I’m under pressure in a game. The other team gives the most pressure than anyone else because I feel that everyone wants to take a shot at the quarterback, but it motivates me to do better.”