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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Who Says You Can’t Go Home?
Eastern Oklahoma, OK
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By: Steve Braun
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Photo(s) By: Byron Beers
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The old saying is that you can’t go home. But former Booker T. Washington and current Oklahoma Thunder quarterback Rico Watkins may argue that. Watkins’ career has come full circle starting as a high school player at S.E. Williams Stadium playing for Booker T. Washington Hornets to now playing in the same stadium for the Oklahoma Thunder.
In high school, Watkins engineered the Hornets to the semifinals in his senior year. In what was his only season as a starter at quarterback for the Hornets, Watkins was just what head coach Antwain Jimmerson needed. But the Hornets, loaded with talented players like current New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Robert Meachem and current Chicago Bears’ defensive end Mike Anderson, lost to Midwest City Carl Albert in the semifinals and Watkins high school football career was over. But the dual-threat quarterback was named offensive player of the year for district 5A-4 in 2000. He also achieved state championship success on the basketball court with the Hornets winning a record 12th state championship. Watkins garnered accolades on the hardwood as well being named honorable mention for the All-Metro and All-State teams. After graduating from BTW, Watkins started his collegiate career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, OK.
At NEO, Watkins was the back up in both of his years on campus. After losing the starting quarterback job early in his second season, he didn’t see much of the field. Instead of giving up o his football career, Watkins made his own path and began to send out high school game films to different colleges. Watkins signed with North Carolina A&T after receiving much interest from Howard University and Delaware State. His time in North Carolina was an opportunity for him to grow up, as it was his first time away from home in Oklahoma.
“Being away from family was the biggest challenge and I had a daughter (Rhiley) born in ’04 so it was a big challenge.” Watkins said. “Being out on the coast you experience a lot of things. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
From North Carolina A&T, Watkins drew interest from two Canadian Football League teams, but the CFL seemed to be a dead end. From there, he signed with Arkansas Twisters of the Arena Football 2 League. After two more stops with the Rio Grande Valley Dorados and the Amarillo Dusters, the Dusters released Watkins in March of 2008. It was an experience that taught Watkins a lot about what it takes to be a professional football player.
“They expect a lot out of you off the field.” He said. “You have to know your craft and know your assignments even though you don’t have a lot of practice time. Being a professional, you have to treat it as a profession and know what you have to do both physically and mentally.”
After hearing about the Oklahoma Thunder on the radio, Watkins stored that information in the back of his head as he was currently with the Dusters at the time. But when things didn’t work out he called up a friend that was signed with the Thunder and asked if the coaches were still looking for a quarterback.
After getting a workout, head coach Bruce Madden apparently liked what he saw and told Watkins to keep coming back. Coach Madden has to definitely like what he sees as Rico has led the Thunder to an undefeated season after three games and put the team at the top of the World Football League. But Watkins has bigger aspirations and those are to make it to the CFL or the NFL, a dream he’s held since being a little boy. But it’s the fact that his career has seem to come full circle in a sense and he now has a chance to play in front of family and friends on his high school field, while still pursuing the dream of professional football is something Rico finds ironic.
“I told my mom that it’s funny how things seem to work out for the good.” Watkins said. “ The last really good success I had was back in high school and the field we’re playing on is my high school field. It’s just ironic that I’m back at home, playing at home in front of family.”
It’s those people that have helped him get to this point that Rico is most grateful for.
“Through the trials and the things I’ve been through,” he said. “Whether being an undrafted player coming out of college or not having the success I was hoping for with the arena teams. Just to see things come full circle and progress to where they are right now. I just chalk it up and say I’m blessed for the chances. I just want to thank everyone for supporting me including my teammates and coaches.”
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