Andrew Topps Senior Feature
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2005
Tommy Lasorda once said, "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." Whether or not Andrew Topps ever heard this quote doesn't matter, because the way he lives his life is exactly what Lasorda was referring to. Topps lives his life, "To do everything he possibly can, live each day in the moment."
That attitude will surpass any success on the football field. Transcending the mold of athlete into student-athlete is nothing new to Topps. An Academic All-Conference performer in high school, he realizes that being well rounded is a vital part of his overall success. The 5-9, 205 pound native of LaGrange Park, Ill., came to the University of Missouri with the intent of making the track team. However, falling short of his goal was not going to discourage Topps from pursuing his athletic interests.
Roadblocks have never discouraged Topps, who describes himself as a self motivated individual.
"I see myself as someone who if there is something I want to do, I will do it regardless of what someone says. You only get one go around so you might as well do everything you can."
Lettering in three sports in high school, he decided to tryout for the football team as a walk-on. Determination landed him a spot on the squad.
Versatility would quickly become another attribute in his arsenal, as he switched from cornerback, to tailback, to his current position of linebacker, while putting on 50 pounds to fit the position changes. He gains encouragement from what he sees on the field.
"Seeing the guys, the walk-ons, working really hard and seeing it all come to fruition is encouraging," Topps said. "I have got one year here and then I am gone, so I might as well play hard if I am going to be at school. I might as well hit someone."
Referring to himself as an "oddity," Topps say teammates don't know how to describe him.
"Here's the box, here's me way over there," Topps said. "You can group lots of people, but me they don't know what to make of me."
Perhaps being an "oddity" is not a bad thing at all, because Topps has made an impact both on and off the football field.
Football is not the only thing in Topps' life though. Being multi-talented is important. The broadcast journalism major works at KOMU on top of his commitments to Mizzou football. Crediting little sleep to his key for participating in a large amount of activities, Topps says that adrenaline takes over and helps him through situations.
"Once the camera goes on, once the lights go on, it doesn't matter how tired you are."
Topps hopes to turn his passion for sports into a career. Receiving the John Drury Award in 2002 for the best high school sports play-by-play announcing in the nation, he hopes to become a sports broadcaster in Chicago after his graduation this May.
When asked what he hopes people will remember about him after he laces up his cleats for the last time at Mizzou, he responded with, "That it was worth it. I haven't played much, very few people know I am on the team, but that it was worth it. That I didn't do it in vain, that it was fun. He reached a goal, he was determined to do it, and he did it."
Regardless of where life takes Andrew Topps, no one can say that he didn't have his head on straight. Living life to the fullest and never looking back on things you could have done are the staple of Topps' life. Perhaps all of us should have a little Andrew Topps in us. -by Matt Polizzi
