Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion’s Roar
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford returned to the university for Super Lion Saturday. Alford along with his family greeted fans during a Meet & Greet in the Victory Club in Strawberry Stadium.
Alford reflected on what it means to be back home.
“I feel good when I come back here,” said Alford. “Hammond is my hometown and I was able to stay right in my hometown and play at Southeastern. Once I got here, there were people that were telling me that I could not make it from here. So, once I got drafted, it made me real proud to come back and show the kids here that they can make it from here. They don’t have to go to these big name quality schools. You can stay right here at Southeastern and make your dreams come true. All you have to do is keep pushing and grind each and every day.”
Alford played in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots where he put on a MVP worthy performance with 11 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown. The pick-six from a pass by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was a defining moment for Alford in his career.
“It was an experience like no other,” said Alford. “Being on the biggest stage that you can be on, you know that everyone is watching the game. For me to get that pick from one of the greatest quarterbacks that probably ever played in this game. It was real heart reeling.”
Despite the 34-28 loss in overtime, Alford is proud to have played in the Super Bowl and believes his team will be there again this upcoming National Football League season.
“To be able just to get to that point and just understand the hard grind me and my teammates had went through this past year to get to the Super Bowl and fall short of your team goal that you set, it pushes you that following offseason to get back to that point,” said Alford. “To make sure that when you get to that Super Bowl that you don’t lose the game the way you lost the prior year. I’m just using that as motivation and keeping in the back of my mind that feeling that I had and to make sure I don’t feel that way again.”
Prior to the Meet & Greet, the Lions football team had their annual spring game. Alford likes the potential that the players on the team have of making it to the NFL and continuing the legacy that he started.
“They have some talent out there that can play in the league,” said Alford. “All they have to do is stick to their dreams and just know that it is possible. When I come to visit Southeastern, I hope I show them that if you stick to that dream, it will come true.”
For his contributions to the university and to Hammond, Mayor Pete Panepinto presented Alford with a key to the city.
“To see somebody be so successful, it’s just exciting and I’m extremely excited for him,” said Panepinto. “He is doing what he loves. All football players as kids from grad school up wish to be like Robert and he actually made it to that pinnacle. As I told him, I’m a Saints fan who has never ever been a Falcons fan but I am now because of him and when he is playing. It’s exciting to watch him.”
Athletic Director Jay Artigues was proud of Alford’s accomplishments and how he has represented the university.
“So many people are proud of Robert and what he has done in his career here, and obviously what he is doing in the NFL and what he did in the Super Bowl,” said Artigues. “He exemplifies what being a Lion for life is all about.”
Alford stated during the question and answer portion of the meet and greet that his father was the biggest influence on his career as a Lion.
“When I first got here, people were telling me that I could not make it from Southeastern and when I would tell my dad he would say, ‘Son, at the end of the day, it’s on you. It’s about how much you want to do it,’” said Alford. “Ever since I chose to play the game of football, he was always with me. I remember when I was 12 years old, we would always go on the side with the most stairs in Strawberry Stadium. He never wanted me to short change myself. He built that mentality with me when I was a child and it is still with me today. I hate to just stay at home. He instilled in me to never just sit back because there is always someone out there who is working harder than you. He was always there for me and he is still there for me today.”