Q and A with Marcus Washington (The family man.....)

You might ask why I chose to write a Q and A with Marcus Washington, several reason why I chose Marcus to be on my blog. First he is a member of the 2005 recruiting class, second he is my friend and third he is a leader and a positive role model to his family. What Marcus might not know till he reads this blog is that I look up to Marcus. What people might not know about Marcus is that he is the only married player on the team and has two beautiful children (Marcus Jr. 4 years old and Samira 4 months old). Marcus has more on his plate than any 22 year old I know. He plays collegiate football, a college student and also work a part time job to support his family. When I talk to Marcus his whole focus is his family and how he can be a better provider. Marcus was my roommate back in 2006 before he got married to his lovely wife Selicia, we got real close during that time and became real good friends.

Q. What is your greatest accomplishment in life?

A: Providing for my family and ensuring that my wife and kids don’t need for anything.
Q. How do you balance school, football and work and still spend time with your family?

A: It’s hard but I manage. Whenever I am not involved with school, work, or football I try to spend as much time as possible with them. Especially my son because he looks up to me and says that he wants to be just like me when he grows up and I have to do whatever it takes to be a positive role model for him.
Q. How hard is it to raise a family while in school?

A: It’s pretty hard but it has to be done. It makes you grow up and realize what things are important in life. The well-being of my family is my number one priority. My schooling and football are stepping stools to propel me into an even better position to provide for my family. We are making it by with what little income we have now and it does cause us stress sometimes, but my desire is for that day when we become financially stable enough to own our own home. You know, “The American Dream”!
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your life?

A: My mother. Annette Washington. She instilled a lot of values in me that I still practice today. Honesty, kindness, respect, hard work and the list goes on. She has always worked hard to make sure that I and my siblings have had the necessary things for us to have an enjoyable child hood. I never had any name brand clothes or shoes growing up like all of my friends, but I had clothes and shoes and I was grateful for that. My father has also been an influential character in my life. I have watched him work, work, work, and work more ever since I was a child. He has always been the primary money maker in the home and my mother was the perfect emotional compliment, helping to mold me into the individual I am today.

Q. What advice would you give a teammate that wants to get married while in college?

A: Make sure that is what you both want to do, don’t rush into anything, don’t take the decision making process lightly, expect to be nervous cause it is a huge decision, be prepared to compromise and try new things. If you can’t compromise the marriage will not be enjoyable because you will not always agree with your spouse

Q. What are your pet peeves?

A: I am a pretty laid back guy and there isn’t much that gets under my skin, but I don’t like when people talk about other people behind their backs. If you have a problem with someone just confront them in a respectable manner and let them know.

Q. What is your greatest fear?

A: Besides snakes. Failure, and Failing in life; Failing to be a good man, husband, and provider for my family.
Q. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A: A professional football player. I wanted to play with one of my best friends; we always said we would be on the same team, the Atlanta Falcons, after we got done with Georgia of course.
Q. What made you choose to attend UGA?

A: It was my childhood dream, and now it is a dream come true.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant to eat in Athens?

A: Sonny’s BBQ pit. The best Barbeque in town!!!! DELICIOUS!!

Q. What's your proudest moment at UGA?

A: Athletically; getting my first career start against Alabama while I was hurt and still managing to get 8 tackles and a sack.

In Life; growing from a boy to a man
Q. Favorite saying or motto?

A: Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Boys in the Hood: “Any fool with a penis can make a baby, but only a man can raise a family”

Q. What do you like to do for fun?

A: Play video games, play basketball, spend time with the family

Q. What do you plan on telling your daughter when she starts dating?

A: I would like to meet him and see what his intentions are.

Q. Explain a normal day at the home of the Washington’s?

A: I usually get up go to school, go to workouts/practice, work, come home for dinner watch a little TV before bedtime if time permits. My son, Marcus Jr., likes to play video games with me and I try to do that from time to time when I am not playing myself. The rest of my time is spent with my wife and my newborn baby girl Samira.