Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:52:40 GMT (1686329560815)
Internet sensation Tony Picard plays defensive tackle with L-C Valley Loggers
The Loggers play their first official game at Pacific on Saturday, Sept. 13th at 1:00 p.m.
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LEWISTON, ID - Last year, the nation was captivated when a viral video surfaced showing a six-foot-four, 400-pound running back from a Washington high school run over the competition.
Ever wonder what happened to him? Well, he's still playing ball but he's a lot closer than you may think.
Former White Swan High School football player Tony Picard is a big man, perfectly suited for the offensive or defensive line, but in his sophomore year in high school, his coach saw things a little differently.
"He's like I gotta tell you something, and I thought it was serious," said Picard. "Well it was serious but I didn't think it was gonna be this serious. And he says we want you to run the ball. And I was like what are you talking about? Me?"
Little did he know what this would turn into.
"There were times when I caught the ball, there were times when I didn't even line up as a running back," said Picard."I played everywhere on the field. I never played O-line after that, just running back."
And in his senior Season, he became an internet sensation as the unstoppable, 400-pound running back. Many thought the scholarship offers would come pouring in. Unfortunately they didn't, and the plan was to play at Everett Community College near Seattle.
"I went to practice and came to find out I couldn't afford to play so, I had to move," said Picard.
And move he did...in with his uncle in Lapwai.
"So I didn't think I was going to be playing football when I came down here," said Picard. "And I got down here and somebody got a hold of my uncle and said we want to meet up with you so I came out and now I'm playing with the LC Loggers."
Yes, now a member of our own L-C Valley Loggers, and no longer constantly getting hit in the knees as he's strictly a defensive player now.
"I'm loving it," said Picard. "You know, like I said, in high school I was playing both sides of the ball and it's a little challenging because not only you gotta focus on offense but you gotta focus on what your assignment is on defense. Now that I'm here I can focus on what I need to do on defense."
Tony recognizes what a privilege it is to be playing college football.
"Growing up on a small reservation, you don't have that hope to go forward, to go to college and play college sports.." said Picard.
And for Tony, coming back to the Valley and becoming a Logger was the best decision he could have made.
"Now that I'm over here, I'm surrounded by family," said Picard. "I've got a lot of support. I think over here I've got more support than I did back home. I feel the love, it feels like I'm actually home. .You know this is my hometown, I grew up here. And just to be home around family I just...and then also getting to play football for them, getting to play football for this community, it's a blessing."
Tony and the L-C Valley Loggers will play their first official game at Pacific on Saturday, September 13th at 1:00 p.m.
Ever wonder what happened to him? Well, he's still playing ball but he's a lot closer than you may think.
Former White Swan High School football player Tony Picard is a big man, perfectly suited for the offensive or defensive line, but in his sophomore year in high school, his coach saw things a little differently.
"He's like I gotta tell you something, and I thought it was serious," said Picard. "Well it was serious but I didn't think it was gonna be this serious. And he says we want you to run the ball. And I was like what are you talking about? Me?"
Little did he know what this would turn into.
"There were times when I caught the ball, there were times when I didn't even line up as a running back," said Picard."I played everywhere on the field. I never played O-line after that, just running back."
And in his senior Season, he became an internet sensation as the unstoppable, 400-pound running back. Many thought the scholarship offers would come pouring in. Unfortunately they didn't, and the plan was to play at Everett Community College near Seattle.
"I went to practice and came to find out I couldn't afford to play so, I had to move," said Picard.
And move he did...in with his uncle in Lapwai.
"So I didn't think I was going to be playing football when I came down here," said Picard. "And I got down here and somebody got a hold of my uncle and said we want to meet up with you so I came out and now I'm playing with the LC Loggers."
Yes, now a member of our own L-C Valley Loggers, and no longer constantly getting hit in the knees as he's strictly a defensive player now.
"I'm loving it," said Picard. "You know, like I said, in high school I was playing both sides of the ball and it's a little challenging because not only you gotta focus on offense but you gotta focus on what your assignment is on defense. Now that I'm here I can focus on what I need to do on defense."
Tony recognizes what a privilege it is to be playing college football.
"Growing up on a small reservation, you don't have that hope to go forward, to go to college and play college sports.." said Picard.
And for Tony, coming back to the Valley and becoming a Logger was the best decision he could have made.
"Now that I'm over here, I'm surrounded by family," said Picard. "I've got a lot of support. I think over here I've got more support than I did back home. I feel the love, it feels like I'm actually home. .You know this is my hometown, I grew up here. And just to be home around family I just...and then also getting to play football for them, getting to play football for this community, it's a blessing."
Tony and the L-C Valley Loggers will play their first official game at Pacific on Saturday, September 13th at 1:00 p.m.
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