Football Spotlight on Chris Paul

Spotlight on Chris Paul …

#71 Chris Paul • 6-4 • 324 • Sophomore • Offensive Guard

A second-year player from Houston, Texas, Chris Paul played in all 12 games and started eight contests at right guard in his red-shirt freshman season of 2018. In addition to his exploits on the football field, many which lie ahead of him, Paul is heavily involved in the community and the TU campus. He currently serves as the coordinator of community engagement for the American Athletic Conference's SAAC group, a member of the University Ambassadors, Student Association, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Future Alumni Council and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as speaking at local elementary schools, participating in Shadow-a-Student-Athlete Read Across America and other community service activities.

My favorite part of football …
The team aspect. There's nothing more special to me than a group of people all from different backgrounds, different life stories, different up-bringings in one locker room and your all striving for the same common goal. That's very special to me.

What's your focus coming into this season …
My focus is to improve on my freshman year. I had a minor setback during the spring due to rehabilitation on my right knee. I want to treat this year as a break-out season. I'm very much a head-down, work type of person. I'm not about talking about it, I'm about action and I'm ready to go.

Helping the younger guys …
I'm pleased with the way our group is jelling. It's more of a treat for me to help a younger guy. I like to see the younger guys succeed, because what a lot of people forget… It's not about you. Every day our coaches are recruiting to replace you, so why not make your team better for the future.

In high school …
I played football and threw the shot put and discus in track.

When I knew football was the sport that I wanted to continue my career in …
I'd say the beginning of my junior year when I really began to dive into the sport. I began to get a lot of confidence in my abilities, and it helped drive me to succeed on and off the field.

How that came about …
I naturally have a drive to achieve what I want to achieve. My parents instilled that in me at a very early age –– that there was nothing I couldn't accomplish through hard work. Also, I have a lot of gratitude for my high school offensive line coach Corey Waller. He definitely coached me very hard every day and held me at a high standard to be where I am today, and I'm indebted to him.

Hashtag going into the season …
#Headdownandwork. I believe that explains me because I'm not much about talking about it, but actions do speak louder than words. It's the culture among the entire team in that we're tired of talking about it, and it's time to go do – get on the field and let's ride.

My role models …
My parents, they came to this country from Nigeria at a young age, both of them. They didn't know each when they got here. They've strived to succeed in whatever they wanted to do. There was no such thing as why they couldn't do what they wanted to do. There was no excuse. I'm just very indebted to them and grateful for them. Throughout my childhood, my parents did everything they could to put me and my brothers in a position to be successful and accomplish anything we wanted to.

Three boys…
I'm the middle child of three boys. My older brother, Nick, is a senior and plays football and Northeastern Oklahoma State in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and my younger brother, Patrick, is a freshman football player at Houston.

Back to Nigeria …
I was born in Houston and lived in Nigeria for three years, from 2^nd thru 4^th grade, ages 7-9. It was important to our parents to give us a taste, sort of, of our culture and allow us to see a different part of the world and how things operate. I'm glad that I was able to get that perspective, because it's helped mold me into who I am today.

Favorite NFL Team …
H-town. The Houston Texans. Why? Because it's Houston.

Favorite class at Tulsa …
CIS 2013. I took that class in the spring of 2019. I had some experience with coding before, but this was more hands on. I had the opportunity to do things like create websites, calculate outputs and more. It was really fun.

I don't have a lot of free time …
I like to do things. I'm involved in a lot of different organizations –– University Ambassadors, and I co-preside over the Black Men's Initiative, a member of the FCA, Future Alumni Council, the Student Association where I'm able to be a liaison between the university and athletics. I also serve as vice-president of TU's SAAC and I'm the coordinator of community engagement for the American Athletic Conference's SAAC group.

My twitterhandle …
@Callmebcp

Football Spotlight on Chris Paul

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Chris Paul

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