I think I found this year's version of "My Favorite Tiger": walk-on Max Copeland:
Approaching the line of scrimmage, Max Copeland pounded his helmet three times and bellowed encouragement for his mates on the offensive line, his howls filling Faurot Field.
Somehow he found the inspiration early Saturday morning during Missouri's first scrimmage of camp in front of fewer than 200 fans. Regardless of the setting, Mad Max was not going to be silenced.
"I've done it for 21 years of life," he said, "and I don't plan on stopping until I die."
Copeland's enthusiasm persisted for two hours, and around the Mizzou program folks are getting used to it. If you never had watched him play football, you might think the enthusiasm stems from his new status as a potential starting guard.
But this is business as usual around practice, where people sometimes try to temper Copeland's outbursts but find little success.
Because of myriad injuries to the Mizzou offensive line, Copeland is battling for a starting spot on the line. But that's not why he's worked up in practice. He is just a "high-energy guy" according to head coach Gary Pinkel. Also being a high-energy guy, I can appreciate it.
But he's no dumb jock.
At 6 feet 3, 290 pounds with long blond hair, Copeland is an intriguing character who would be as comfortable in the ring at a WWE event, front row at a Motorhead concert or leading a discussion in advanced physics. ...
On the field Copeland is creating a persona that grows out of a love of professional wrestler Triple H and Motorhead singer Lemmy, which goes a long way toward explaining his vocal stylings. What is overlooked is a level of intelligence that belies his exterior.
"He's a really good student, like a 3.7 or 3.8 (GPA) student and wants to be a biochemical engineer or something," Pinkel said. "He's smarter than our whole staff if you add them all up."
According to his player bio page at MUTigers.com, he's majoring in physics. No puff major that, which makes the 3.7/3.8 GPA all the more impressive. Plus he's a Lemmy fan. What's not to like?
