Michigan State University Athletics
Brian Linthicum: Barreling Through Adversity
9/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 13, 2011
By Brittany McCormick, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
As a tight end, senior Brian Linthicum needs to have the agility to move quickly around the football field. He needs to be quick on his feet to receive catches or lay blocks to help out his running backs. The interesting thing is, he's not only used to moving around on the football field, but the country as well.
"I grew up in New Mexico, attended boarding school in Virginia, played at Clemson for almost two years, transferred to Michigan State, and then my parents relocated to St. Louis," Linthicum explained. "My brother also lives in L.A. so I go there every summer. I'm used to traveling around."
Hopping all over the country has added some perspective to Linthicum's style of play. His move from New Mexico to Virginia actually sparked his interest in the game of football. The tight end began playing football as a junior, out of boredom.
"I didn't play until my junior year of high school," said Linthicum. "I was going to be a basketball player. I went to a boarding school and it's really boring if you're not playing a sport, so I decided to play football and it just worked out from there. Howie Long's sons went to my private school so he would come to my school and help coach and mentor us. That was a good opportunity. From there, his coaching helped me out a lot too."
Besides having a Hall of Famer as an extra coach, Linthicum credits his father as his inspiration and mentor, even though his dad was never into the sport.
 | "It's definitely been a long journey. There were many bumps along the road, but finally the road has been smoothed out and I'm set up for my final year. I just want to be the best I can be. I'm the healthiest I've been since I've been here and I couldn't ask for anything more." |
Linthicum said, "I look up to my dad because he's always been there and has always coached me. He always coached me in basketball and baseball. He was never a big football guy, but when I decided to play football he became as involved in football as he could. He has learned so much about it that he has been able to offer me advice before and after games."
It's evident that Linthicum's parents have helped him a lot throughout his career, not only with coaching and advice, but with support. The 6-5, 245-pound tight end transferred to Michigan State in 2008 after playing as a true freshman at Clemson. Per NCAA rules, Linthicum had to sit out a season and play on the scout team before he could dress in the Green and White.
"Even though I wasn't playing, my parents drove seven hours to hang out and they were really big on keeping my spirits high," remarked Linthicum. "Also, one of the big things that helped was being here with Keith Nichol who had to sit out the same year. You always dread having to play on the scout team, especially when you have played as a true freshman. But the fact that Keith was there with me, we made it fun and made it good for our defense."
Once Linthicum was cleared to play, he wasted no time making a name for himself on the Spartan sideline. In his first game as a Spartan against Montana State in 2009, Linthicum caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from his fellow transfer, Nichol.
"I can still remember my first catch at Spartan Stadium and it was such a relief to get back out onto the field and make plays," said Linthicum.
In his debut season, Linthicum had 20 catches for 266 yards and two touchdowns. His 2010 season was similar on paper - 18 catches for 230 yards and one touchdown - but Linthicum was bothered most of the year with a knee injury. He thanks assistant coach Mark Staten for keeping him focused and encouraging him while he was recovering throughout the season.
Linthicum said, "Honestly, Coach Staten played a big part in keeping me focused on coming back from my injury. As much as I went back and watched last year's games and saw how terrible I was playing, I remember last year Coach Staten would encourage me and say I know your knees are hurting, but fight through it and stay in on blocks or run your routes smooth."
"I think he's ready to go for his final season," said Staten, as Linthicum entered this year on the Mackey Award Watch List, which is presented to the nation's top tight end. "His knee is healed. Last year he played on one leg, but this year he has two feet in the ground. He has had some good scrimmages and he is going to play like a fifth-year senior should. This is their legacy. This is the year people will look back on and say `hey, how did that group of 2011 seniors do?'"
After working through the season with the support from Staten and his fellow teammates, Linthicum was rewarded with a memorable play against Penn State that secured Michigan State's Big Ten Championship title. With 55 seconds to go in the final conference game of the season and the title on the line, Linthicum recovered the Nittany Lions' attempt at an onside kick, which sealed the win and clinched a share of MSU's first Big Ten Championship in two decades.
"That was such an awesome feeling," Linthicum recalled. "I had knee problems last season, so I played a smaller role and struggled through every week. It was a terrible feeling. Finally to play such a big role in the Penn State game and secure the championship was an experience that most people never feel. The fact that we did it there together as a team was one of the greatest experiences ever."
Following the conclusion of his final season, in which he has set the goal of winning another Big Ten title and staying undefeated at home, Linthicum will graduate with a master's degree in kinesiology- sports administration. He will chase his dream of playing football professionally once he graduates, but not after leaving a lasting impression in his final season in the Green and White.
"It's definitely been a long journey," said Linthicum. "There were many bumps along the road, but finally the road has been smoothed out and I'm set up for my final year. I just want to be the best I can be. I'm the healthiest I've been since I've been here and I couldn't ask for anything more."
| GETTING TO KNOW BRIAN | |
| Favorite musician: | Drake |
| Dream vacation spot: | "Somewhere along the ocean with a beach." |
| Favorite Spartan Football Road Trip: | Penn State 2010 |
| Favorite food: | Steak |
| Favorite TV Show: | ESPN's "Sportscenter" |
This feature was originally published in the Sept. 10, 2011, edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine. Photo by Rey Del Rio.
