Senior Feature -- Sean Doyle
10/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2002
By Kyle Parrish
MU Athletic Media Relations
Judging by Sean Doyle's heritage, it's a wonder he didn't end up a Jayhawk.
His dad, Mickey, played defensive end at Kansas from 1966-1968.
His brother, Chris, was a linebacker who finished his playing career at KU just two years ago.
Growing up in Overland Park, Kan., Doyle attended Jayhawk football games almost every Saturday.
At Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Doyle was a three-time All-State selection and winner of the Simone Award - an honor bestowed on the Kansas City area's best high school player. All these awards prompted serious recruiting by some of the nations best college football programs.
And, of course, the University of Kansas was hoping that Sean would be the next Doyle to don the crimson and blue for the Jayhawks.
However, when the time came for Doyle to make his college decision, he opted for the Old Gold and Black of the Missouri Tigers.
With all that history, one would think that he could be stirring up family trouble by coming to Mizzou. But no one knows the rivalry between Mizzou and KU better than Doyle.
Thus, it was his move that makes this 111th meeting of Missouri and Kansas one of the great rivalries of college football.
"I understand the rivalry and know how important it is for each team and fan," says Doyle. "And even thought I grew up close to Kansas football, I felt like Missouri was the place for me."
Based on his performance at Mizzou, it's certainly a good thing that Doyle decided to play for the Tigers and not against them.
The 6-foot 235 pound linebacker is coming off a season after which he was selected First-Team All-Big 12 by the Dallas Morning News and Second-Team All-Big 12 by the league's coaches. He also led the conference in tackles with 131.
If the Simone Award was not a handsome enough way to cap off Doyle's high school career, he was named to the watch list for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker, at the start of the season.
Of course, Doyle would rather see a bowl game trophy in the Tom Taylor Building than any individual awards for himself.
"It feels good to be recognized," he says, "and I think it makes the defense look good because they are all helping to make plays. But personal awards aren't the main goal. I want to make it to a bowl game before I get out of here."
Whether it's across the country for a bowl game, or from sideline to sideline to make a tackle, Doyle's likes to travel. Road trips and adventures with friends are high on his list of off-the-field activities.
While he might attempt to keep a balanced life, it is pretty apparent that football reigns supreme for Doyle.
Judging by such an answer, Doyle probably has probably seen a lot more game films than he has feature films in the past four years. However, he is a big fan of comedy, citing The Royal Tennenbaums as one of his recent favorites.
The reason for Doyle's consuming commitment to football is inherited. As the son of a former professional player and the brother of a standout college linebacker, Sean has been around the game for as long as he can remember.
"I remember getting out and playing pee-wee league when I was just in third grade." He says.
It is such a deep-rooted history and knowledge of the game that makes Doyle so good now. He has been studying the game since long before his peers. While most players were learning to tackle, Doyle was learning to read offensive keys to plays. As many were learning the basics of offense and defense, Doyle was shedding blocks, finding cutback holes, and picking opponents apart.
"My family was a big advantage for me in football. They were really behind me in everything I did. My dad and brother were always teaching me new things, and my mom even did whatever she could to help me out. They helped to give me some really good instincts."
Doyle's head start was important too, for his size is far from advantageous for a Division I linebacker.
"I'm definitely glad I got the background I did, because I need every advantage I can get at my height. Luckily, I also like to eat a lot so at least I could put on some weight!"
The result of Doyle's careful and celebrated upbringing into the world of college football has been a player in the right place at the right time. Doyle works hard to make sure he is in that place on every play. And the Tigers are certainly glad that Doyle decided to make Mizzou his place for the last four years - even if it meant going to his dad and brother's biggest rival.
When Sean Doyle takes the field today as a captain of his team, he will know better than anyone what the Missouri-Kansas game means. Rivalries consist of history, hard work, and familiarity. The linebacker from Overland Park has all three going for him today.
