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WARREN – Golf was never exactly Chris Rucker’s sport.
The 2007 Warren G. Harding graduate was a star in football and track and field in his day. Golf never really appealed to the 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive back who went on to play at Michigan State and was then drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.
“Not really,” said a laughing Rucker of whether he golfs often. “It’s definitely a lot harder than it looks.”
So, why is Rucker, who still lives in Lansing, Michigan, traveling back to Warren for a golf outing? The same reason dozens of other former Harding and Warren Western Reserve graduates are coming: He wants the athletes of Warren to be afforded the same opportunities he had in high school.
Rucker is one of numerous former players returning to Warren for the inaugural NFL Legends of Warren Reunion and Celebrity Golf Outing on Sept. 25-26 at Trumbull Country Club. All proceeds from the event benefit the Warren football program.
“It’s a small community. Everyone knows each other. Everyone has big dreams and aspirations,” said Rucker of why he believes so many former players chose to come in for the event from all across the country. “Things might be working against you, and it might not be the biggest city, but everyone comes together and wants to do good for the city and make it well known. Everyone always wants to give the younger generation hope and show them that you can accomplish your dreams. That’s something we always want do, be role models for the younger generations.”
Rucker certainly fits the bill.
He starred for the Raiders as a receiver and defensive back and helped them reach the Division I regional final in 2006. He did it with an impressive group around him. Players such as Sidney Glover, Dan Herron, Chris Anzevino, Lawrence Coleman, Brandon Davis, Tyon Flowers and Lazarus McCrae played key roles on a team coached by Thom McDaniels. Four of them (Rucker, Glover, Herron and Anzevino) made it to the NFL, fulfilling a goal many dream of but few accomplish.
“Growing up as a kid, playing football, basketball, no matter what sport, you always dream of getting drafted, so it was definitely a great experience I’ll never forget,” Rucker said. “It was very exciting, especially not knowing where you’re going to end up or if you’d be drafted at all. Getting that call was definitely a relief and a dream come true. “
Rucker is one of more than 30 former Warren players who reached the professional level. He progressed to that point after a great career with Spartans. He was a four-year letterwinner and a three-time All-Big Ten selection, finishing his career with 191 tackles, 25 passes defended and six interceptions. The Colts picked him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in 15 games (four starts) and made 36 tackles.
Although he’s no longer playing in the NFL, the 27-year-old Rucker is still very much a fan. He just attended Michigan State’s 28-13 victory over Furman on Friday. It’s a time of year that is both exciting and tough to handle for Rucker.
“Football season, it’s always the best time of year, but it’s also the time you sit back and think about how much you miss the game,” he said. “It’s good to watch. It’s good for the morale. You’ve got something to look forward to every week.”
He expects a similar feeling when he arrives in Warren, a place he called home for most of his life. Even though he said he hasn’t seen a game at Mollenkopf Stadium in a few years, he hasn’t forgotten the fun times he had in it.
“All the time,” said Rucker of whether he thinks back to those times. “It’s definitely one of the highlights of my time in high school. You’ll never forget those fans, playing at that stadium, in that atmosphere. It always gave you something to look forward to.”
The city of Warren gives him that opportunity one more time as Rucker, who now works at a youth facility in Michigan, is looking forward to seeing some old friends.
“We always keep in contact, reminisce about the days playing together, what we thought we could’ve done different and all the stuff we could’ve done,” he said of former teammates.
He’s so excited he might even try golfing.
“I’ve done a few golf charity events before, but I’ve never done much of the golfing,” he said with a laugh. “I normally do the putting. This year I might try and golf a little. We’ll see how that goes.”