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Lindley fulfilled lifelong dream as first Paulding Countian in NFL
Lindley fulfilled lifelong dream as first Paulding Countian in NFL
Trevard Lindley took the opportunity to fulfill a longtime dream last year by playing football professionally as cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles — making him the first Paulding Countian to play in the National Football League.
Lindley, 25, is the first from a county high school to play in a regular season game, according to the Paulding County School District.
However, being the only Paulding Countian to go to the NFL has not weighed on Lindley.
“I don’t really think about that but hopefully we’ll get some more people [from Paulding] out there one day in other professional sports,” Lindley said.
The Hiram High School graduate and Lithia Springs native said playing little league football with the North Paulding Cowboys, South Paulding Bears and New Hope Eagles and watching Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Deion Sanders inspired him to pursue a pro football career.
“I probably knew I wanted to play in the NFL when I was a little kid around [age] 5 or 6,” Lindley said.
Lindley admires the careers of cornerbacks Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers and teammate Asante Samuel — hoping “to be on that level someday,” he said.
Lindley was a member of the Hiram Hornets varsity football team, starting for three years as a cornerback and two years as a running back from 2001 to 2004. He also played basketball and ran track. The school honored him by retiring his jersey during a ceremony in September.
“Trevard was an excellent teammate,” said Lindley’s high school coach, Lynn Rowe. “He was never a young man that tried to bring attention to himself other than by playing hard. With as much talent as he had, his character trumped his ability and his ability spoke for itself.”
He attended the University of Kentucky, playing cornerback as a four-year starter.
Lindley was a fourth-round draft pick of the Eagles last year. He said it felt great to have the chance to play and have kids look up to him.
“The game is a lot faster than in college. It is a job and the other players on the field know what they’re doing,” Lindley said of his rookie year. “It’s more structured and detailed than in college.”
He recorded 21 tackles and one interception last season. The interception occurred during an Oct. 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Lindley’s goal in his second professional year is to earn a spot in the Eagles’ starting lineup. His goals also include earning a Pro Bowl spot and winning next year’s Super Bowl, he said.
Lindley, 25, is the first from a county high school to play in a regular season game, according to the Paulding County School District.
However, being the only Paulding Countian to go to the NFL has not weighed on Lindley.
“I don’t really think about that but hopefully we’ll get some more people [from Paulding] out there one day in other professional sports,” Lindley said.
The Hiram High School graduate and Lithia Springs native said playing little league football with the North Paulding Cowboys, South Paulding Bears and New Hope Eagles and watching Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Deion Sanders inspired him to pursue a pro football career.
“I probably knew I wanted to play in the NFL when I was a little kid around [age] 5 or 6,” Lindley said.
Lindley admires the careers of cornerbacks Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers and teammate Asante Samuel — hoping “to be on that level someday,” he said.
Lindley was a member of the Hiram Hornets varsity football team, starting for three years as a cornerback and two years as a running back from 2001 to 2004. He also played basketball and ran track. The school honored him by retiring his jersey during a ceremony in September.
“Trevard was an excellent teammate,” said Lindley’s high school coach, Lynn Rowe. “He was never a young man that tried to bring attention to himself other than by playing hard. With as much talent as he had, his character trumped his ability and his ability spoke for itself.”
He attended the University of Kentucky, playing cornerback as a four-year starter.
Lindley was a fourth-round draft pick of the Eagles last year. He said it felt great to have the chance to play and have kids look up to him.
“The game is a lot faster than in college. It is a job and the other players on the field know what they’re doing,” Lindley said of his rookie year. “It’s more structured and detailed than in college.”
He recorded 21 tackles and one interception last season. The interception occurred during an Oct. 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Lindley’s goal in his second professional year is to earn a spot in the Eagles’ starting lineup. His goals also include earning a Pro Bowl spot and winning next year’s Super Bowl, he said.
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