Oklahoma State University Tailback
touchdown on only four carries. Gerald watched and “T chose Oklahoma State University because of the tailback tradition and type of offense that is run, I also learned from the sideline but when he got a chance, he made the most of it. liked the coaches and the weight room,” stated a In high school, Gerald for sure made the most of it. nervous Gerald Hudson. Offers had come in from He played at Waxahachie High School a 4—-A School just Nebraska, Kansas and the University of Houston but South of Dallas, Texas for Coach Jerry McLemore. He Gerald wanted to be an OSU Cowboy. He was nervous was a star running back from the seventh grade on and because it was his first big interview.
It was refreshing to became the starting tailback at Waxahachie in his junior witness Gerald’s humble attitude. J told him not to year. Gerald remembered, “We hada serious lifting worry and to think of me as a coach and not a reporter. program. We lifted four days a week. We got after it.” I The previous six tailbacks at Oklahoma State have hope to shout they got after it. Gerald Bench Pressed 380 pounds as a junior! He also Parallel Squatted 480 and interviewed Heisman Trophy Winner Barry Sanders Inclined 280 pounds! For his reward for all that hard before the season, he was in the same situation.
Barry work, Gerald made All-District and rushed for 1100 was going to fill the shoes of Thurman Thomas. Well, yards in his junior year. His senior year was even better Barry did a fairly adequate job and now it’s Gerald as he led his team to an 8-3 season which included a Hudson’s turn. Can he do it? I’ll let you decide after ticket to the playoffs. reading his story and then you can have fun following the Cowboys of OSU this season.
However, while things were going great in the weight room and on the playing field, things weren't so NFL scouts who have timed Gerald feel that he will great in the classroom. Gerald did not have good grades continue the OSU tailback tradition and make it in the and became a Proposition 48 student. “Everybody Pros. As a back-up for Barry Sanders last season, Gerald predicted that I wouldn’t make it. That negative attitude rushed for a whopping 7.0 yards per carry. Against Kansas last year, Gerald exploded for runs of 48, 46, and OKLAHOMA STATE U. TAILBACK GERALD HUDSON back on his freshman year at Oklahoma State. He continued, “I had confidence. I attended every class.”
Gerald took basic classes like History, Geography, Political Science and English. It was tough but he came out with a 2.1 GPA. That first year because of his Proposition 48 status Gerald could not play football. His purpose in life became to get eligible and to prepare to play. Gerald achieved what many predicted could not be achieved. Gerald became eligible to play in his second year at Oklahoma State. However, because of Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders, it was decided that Gerald should be red shirted. Another year without playing a game! It was small consolation to be able to only practice. Gerald’s grades slipped a little but he made up for it by going to summer school.
Finally, last year as a sophomore in eligibility, Gerald got a chance to actually play in a game. grades improved to a 2.375 average. Gerald is majoring in education with an emphasis in counseling and he plans to go into social work. Gerald Hudson has had time to mature and dream of glory. He has paid his dues and is now ready to let his God given talents burst forth.
Gerald mused, “Those people who predicted that Id fail are now kind of puzzled, But, I was determined to make it work. I had the desire. My parents and family Gerald Box Jumping For Explosiveness helped me a lot. My dad is retired. I’ve got one brother who is with the Giants and another who is a police ofÏcer. My mother died when I was in the sixth grade. She always made me bring books home from school. It was tough to lose her then but I’m strong about it now.
I've got a sister who is becoming a nurse.” Gerald advises high school athletes, “Work as hard as you can. Set goals and then work hard to achieve those goals. Don’t let anybody push you into wrong things. Listen to your parents. Hang with good people.” “In dealing with peer pressure just walk away from trouble. I turned out okay. I hung with two other athletes and we got high on life. We'd dance and try to have fun that way. Sure, guys tried to get me to do some drugs, but I’d say, “No man, that’s not me.” I’ve seen a lot of people go down because of drugs. Here at OSU it’s even been easier to stay away from drugs.”
When asked to comment on steroids, Gerald stated, “I've been kidded about taking steroids but I’m natural. Thaven’t even thought about it.” Gerald would like to play professional football, if things work out. It’s been a dream all his life. He’d like to give his dad a new home.” As our interview came to close, Gerald was still a Sprinting with a weighted sled has made Tailbacks famous little nervous. I told him that he’d done great. The final at Oklahoma State. question: What are the most important things in life?
One of the Most Powerful Tailbacks in History. Gerald Benches over 400 Pounds! Story Continued on next page 5 FALL. relationship with God. Getting my degree and having a nice family.” this interview with flying colors. Will he continue the tailback tradition at Oklahoma State? I can tell you Ht.
Wt.
XFresh.
Soph. importantly, Gerald has his life in order. he is hungry for success for the right reasons. Gerald Husdson is now the main man in Cowboy land. Everything is in place to cast his own formidable shadow. We thank Strength Coach Rob see why. We thank Gerald for his Upper-Limit example and wish him the best.
From BFS Magazine — Fall 1989. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
