Tigers’ Russell earning respect after brutal hit

JJ Russell barely remembers the moment that got him national attention last season, albeit not in a great way.

In the second quarter against UCLA, Russell’s second game in a Memphis uniform ended abruptly when he was hit covering a kickoff and knocked unconscious. He laid on the field and was tended to by trainers before being carted off.

He was responsive by halftime and remained in the locker room during Memphis’ 48-45 win that propelled its historic season.

Nearly a year later, the sophomore linebacker doesn’t remember the moment or the game itself.

“I may think about it and laugh about it because I got put to sleep,” Russell said. “Eventually somebody’s going to knock you on your butt so it’s how you respond to it.”

Russell responded with a fury this spring and it carried over in training camp where he’s played with the same intensity he showed last year on special teams.

In the Tigers’ practice at the Liberty Bowl Sunday, he flew to the ball with great speed and on Monday, he intercepted a deep pass from Brady White.

It prompted head coach Mike Norvell to say at Media Day he expects Russell to step up this year. After his effort on Sunday, he went a step further, saying Russell should be on the field more this season if he continues to impress.

“When we signed JJ, we knew we had a special player,” Norvell said. “With the graduation of Genard Avery and Shareef White, it’s really opened a door for JJ to assert himself.”

Russell added another source for his inspired play.

His mother Jeanette back in Mississippi.

When he takes the field, he thinks about how much he wants to provide for her the same that she did for him.

“Every time I come out here, I’m thinking about my mama. I’m trying to feed her and change her life,” Russell said.

Her sacrifices, he added, made him want to pay her back. It’s why the day after that hit, he showed up the next day asking when to return to the field, according to fellow linebacker Curtis Akins.

Russell missed the next two games but the determination to return to the field impressed Akins, who said he helped recruit him to Memphis as a fellow Mississippi native.

“He’s a dog. I watched him play in high school so I know what type of guy he is,” Akins said. He’s a hard worker and he’s dedicated.”

Russell also added 15 pounds in the offseason and said he knows this year is important for him. He also took Norvell’s praise to heart knowing he wants to be remembered for more than just the guy who took a big hit on national television.

“Every day we’re out here we’re getting better, we know the man behind us can easily take our position,” Russell said. “If I don’t step up now, I’ll never step up.”