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| The running game |
James Nix
Associate Editor |
Josh Brown | Cheif Photographer |
Appalachian’s feature running
back, Jerry Beard
It’s kind of a family tradition.
His brother, Robert Hearst, was a running back.
Two of his cousins, Anthony and Chris Hearst,
were running backs.
And his famous cousin, Garrison Hearst, a former
Bulldog at the University of Georgia and current
starter for the San Francisco 49ers, is a running back.
To say the least, the position of running back
runs in the family of Appalachian State University’s senior
running back Jerry Beard. |
“Even when I said
the word football out of my mouth in high school, I was going to
be a running back,” said Beard.
Beard has become Appalachian’s feature running back after the
departure of his predecessor Jimmy Watkins.
Watkins signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins
last spring.
Beard said this season is his first feeling totally comfortable
on the team. In past seasons he felt almost like he was competing
with the other running backs on his own team. Now he can compete
against the opposing running backs.
But he learned a lot from his season under Watkins and the previous
season with Karim Razzak.
“This year I’m trying to compile everything I learned
from them and everything I brought to the game myself,” said
Beard.
Beard said being the feature running back on the team isn’t
everything. His biggest attribute is being a leader and mentor.
“I got to try and express my feelings and show what kind of
love we got for the game and what kind of effort and determination
it takes to play App State football,” said Beard.
“He’s a great leader, number one,” said ASU head
coach Jerry Moore. “The thing he brings to our ball club is
his leadership. He’s certainly a good runner, and he’s
the kind of runner we love to have.”
Beard was not always a football player, however.
At Lincoln County High School in Georgia, he ran track his junior
and senior years.
He always admired his cousin, Garrison Hearst, but did not like
to play football because he did not like to get hit or get tackled.
During his senior year of high school, however, Beard’s father
made him play football. When this happened, Garrison saw he had
some potential and challenged him to keep playing. |
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