Michigan State University Athletics
Little John Flowers Puts Senior Year In Perspective
11/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2001
When he was brought into the world on January 31, 1980, his father Marshall had big dreams for his little man - and Marshall gave his son a name to fit those dreams.
He named his son, Little John, after the character from the fairy tale "Robin Hood." In the story, Little John was renowned for his size and strength, and in real life, Little John Flowers is recognized for his ability to play football for the Spartans.
"Little John didn't fit his name because he was a big guy and kind of led the people," said Flowers, who doesn't fit his name at 6-feet tall and 210 pounds. "He was a guy everybody looked up to. My father wanted me to be bigger than how everyone perceives me. I haven't really lived up to it yet, I still have a lot to accomplish. If I can keep doing the right things, then I think I will eventually get up there."
Flowers' life wasn't a fairy tale like his enchanted counterpart. He held the spotlight in high school, gaining 4,320 yards rushing and scoring 56 touchdowns in his prep career at Loy Norrix High School with fellow Kalamazoo native T.J. Duckett.
Then he came to college, and faced a new challenge.
"When I first came here, it didn't look like I was going to be here that long," said the communication major. "I was one of those guys who really didn't listen. I listened to the coaches, but I was in my own little world. I really wasn't doing the right things."
Flowers crossed paths with the law and was eventually suspended from the team prior to the 1999 season after being arrested for gambling for shooting dice with friends.
Being thrown in jail brought on a revelation for Flowers.
"That wasn't me," Flowers said. "I never really got into trouble like that in Kalamazoo. When that hit, that really turned it around. They suspended me from the team. That hurt a lot. It told me that I have to start doing the right things."
Flowers got back to being himself with a little help from former running backs and current head coach Bobby Williams.
"He got me straight," Flowers said. "He really helped me through my first year and all the years I have been here. He's been like a second father to me up here."
Flowers also turned to religion to help turn his life around.
"I was doing all the bad things and I finally stopped doing the bad things," Flowers said. "I looked to the Lord and it brought a whole new life to me."
Now instead of getting into trouble, Flowers gives his attention to the big screen.
"That's my little hobby - going to the movies," Flowers said. "That takes the place of a lot of things that I did. Instead of running the streets at night I'm in bed getting my rest. I'm doing all the things that are going to help me be successful. If it's not going towards me being successful, then I'm not doing it."
Flowers has enjoyed success in his four years as a Spartan. As a junior, Flowers had his most productive season in a Spartan uniform, gaining more rushing yards (281 yards) then he did in his first two years combined (201 yards) and scoring his first rushing touchdown vs. Ohio State.
"You look at Little John's career and you just can't help but be proud of the way he has developed, how much he has grown as a young man and the experiences he has had," said Williams. "He's worked extremely hard during the four years he has been here. I have to give his parents a lot of credit because they have always been there for him."
In his senior year at MSU, Flowers has a chance to help others learn from his mistakes.
"I lived that life before," Flowers said. "I'm trying to move onto bigger and better things. I am kind of glad that I went through all that because now I am a senior and a captain. I can look at all the young kids coming up here. I can tell them, 'you can become a senior just like me because I know I was worse than you.' If I made it anyone can make it."
Not only making it to his senior year, but being named fourth captain was meaningful to Flowers. Although he's played in all but one game since he started his career at MSU as a true freshman, Flowers plans to use this year to show everyone his ability.
"My personal goal is to go out and show people that I deserve to be here, I can be just as explosive as T.J., and I can help this team win," Flowers said. "I think people around here, especially the guys on the team, look up to me because I'm not a starter. But if you look at practice and how I work off the field and with Coach [Ken] Mannie with running, it would seem like I am a starter. I am just a worker. I think people respect that. I probably never had a chance to start since I've been here, but I still work and work and work my way up to being the best I can be and do the things that are going to help the team win."
This year Flowers is on track to have his most productive season, surpassing his 2000 totals of 13 catches for 93 yards in just five games this season. With four games left on this year's schedule, Flowers has 15 catches for 168 yards and 28 rushes for 107 yards.
With his abilitiy to run, catch and block, Flowers is a utility player.
"The guy is such a competitor," Williams said. "He's a back that can do all three things. He can run. He's got great vision as a back. He's very durable. He can pass block and he's an excellent receiver."
When Flowers is done with football at Michigan State, he wants to share his knowledge with others so they don't make the same mistakes he did. Flowers said he wants to help kids in the community by becoming a teacher, coach or probation officer.
The most important thing to Flowers is giving kids a chance.
"I think a lot of people back home didn't get a chance because they really didn't know," Flowers said. "I want to be that person that tells them and lets them know what they have to do, so they don't make the same mistake. Knowing is half the battle. I want to go back there and help young black kids out."
By Courtney Welch, MSU Sports Information Student Assistant
