Sept. 7, 2006

Editor's Note: This feature ran in the Sept. 9 (Ole Miss) game program.

by Misty Anderson, MU Media Relations Student Assistant

DeMarcus Scott is valued by his teammates and his peers in an arena the Missouri Tigers hold dear. Scott is a defensive lineman on the football team at Mizzou.

"While I am living my dream that many did not believe would come true, I feel that it is equally important that I continue to be a role model and an example," Scott said.

Scott was raised in a low-income family by his grandmother in Greenville, Mississippi.

"Greenville was plagued with discrimination and gang violence and offered few opportunities for blacks," Scott said. "When I was younger, I was involved in gangs. I saw many devastating things which encouraged me to have a better vision for my future."

Scott feels that his upbringing taught him the value of faith, humility and optimism.

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"A humble upbringing made me the most down-to-earth person. I was faced with criticism from those that told me that I would never be anything or make anything of my life. But my humility outshined the people that criticized me," Scott said.

He feels that by looking at life through the eyes of his grandmother, he has gained both strength and courage to never lose sight of his goals.

"My goals, besides being the first in my immediate family to attend and graduate from college, are taking care of my family as well as those in my neighborhood that made positive contributions to me so I might be able to give back," Scott said.

The friends Scott made in high school encouraged him and helped him to redirect his energy into sports.

"As a teenager, my friends raised me by giving me moral support and teaching me survival skills. Yet I feel that my coaches took care of me by providing me with the materialistic things that I needed," Scott said.

Scott practiced and became talented in many sports such as baseball, basketball and football. He pursued these activities through his freshman and sophomore year in high school. The turning point in his life came after he received a shoulder injury in baseball which turned him to football.

"I feel that being successful is not just something for on the football field, but it includes the classroom too."

Scott began playing football with his older friends in the neighborhood after school.

"I grew a love for the sport. It allowed me to overcome my fears and build relationships with other members of the team."

While playing football at Mississippi Delta Community College, Scott received offers from Louisiana State University, University of Tennessee, Marshall University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Mizzou.

He feels that Mizzou was different because it was one of the few programs that stayed in contact with him.

"One thing that made Mizzou stand out was the persistence of the Athletic Department. Every chance they were able to write me an email, call me on the telephone, or send something in the mail, they did it. They seemed to be interested in DeMarcus, the individual, not D. Scott, the football player," Scott said.

Scott wanted to get away from a place where he could not face setbacks but not too far where he could not relate to his environment. While the other schools kept their eye on Scott, to him, Mizzou was the best thing for him.

"School has given me the chance to play football while attaining a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management," Scott said.

He says that he wants to become a mature man and a leader in a sport that he knows he can play everyday and be comfortable.

"Mizzou has given me a new perception in life where I have come to realize that it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog that makes a difference."

He feels that he has been put in an atmosphere where money does not matter and the focus is on diversity and a bond between the players and coaches.

"The biggest issue pushed this year has been player-coach relationship. I believe this is the closest the team has ever been in the history of MU football. My teammates and I are more family-oriented like brothers."

The dedication of the MU football team, the endurance and 'never die' attitude, will cause the team and the school to get the respect they deserve. What we do during this school year will set the pace for future players because it's not just a matter of building a team or trust, but about building integrity."

"My advice that I would like to pass down to future players and leaders that share my dream is to not think mainly about football, but about grades. Treat a player the same regardless of age or grade. Avoid criticism and negativity that can only bring the team down."