Getty ImagesSan Francisco left tackle Joe Staley is glad to be a starting offensive lineman in the Super Bowl. But he was devastated when he first became an offensive lineman in college.
Staley said at Super Bowl Media Day that after playing wide receiver in high school and beginning his college career at Central Michigan as a tight end, he figured he’d be a skill position player forever. Then a new coach, Brian Kelly, came along and informed Staley that he was being moved to the offensive line. Staley didn’t take it well.
“I started out as a skinny 200 pound wide receiver coming out of high school,” Staley said. “I was a sprinter and all of that stuff. I was really fast. I ran a 21 in the 200. Then I got fat. I went to college. Brian Kelly came in my sophomore year. Played tight end my freshman year in college. Brian Kelly came in and said ‘We do not use tight ends in our offense but we want to keep you on the field in some way. We are going to move you to tackle.’ I cried my eyes out. I am not afraid to admit it. Almost transferred but then stayed, gained weight, busted my butt and got drafted.”
It worked out for Staley, who ended up being a first-round pick of the 49ers. And Kelly, who is now the head coach at Notre Dame, has shown that he knows what he’s doing. But when Kelly first moved Staley, that wasn’t a move that Staley appreciated.
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“Then I got fat. I went to college.” -Yeah, so did my wife!
lol he got fat
hmm, do I smell a trick play involving Staley during the big game?
He used to play TE, which is why he is pretty fleet-footed for a big man.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see him catch one on Sunday.
Good lineman, funny guy, and from my hometown. Go Niners!
Don’t put him on the Wheaties box — put him on the Krispy Kreme box as “The NEW breakfast of champions”
21 seconds in the 200 huh? I’m skeptical.
That block he made downfield on Alex Smith’s TD run in the 4th quarter of the playoff game vs. the Saints last year is one of the all-time greats.
Too bad we didn’t do the same with JJ Watt. Instead we let him transfer to Wisconsin where they turned him into a heck of a DL.
I’m not sure who’s the bigger baby – Staley or Ray Ray?
He’s already caught a 20+ yard pass last season. No wonder why he looked so good.
Hey, bright guys, Staley’s number is 74, which would make him an ineligible reciever. So, no trick plays for him Sunday.
lol cordae. learn the rules before posting something so stupid.
@cordae….I guess you’ve never seen Mike Vrabel (number in the 50′s) never catch one of his many TD’s. I’ll make it simple for you……Staley reports to the referee that he is an eligible receiver and lines up in an eligible position on the field. Problem solved and you just learned a new rule.
I hope sizzle doesn’t make him cry.
We win bowl games
@kwpask 21 for a 200 is fast but not godly there are a few kids in every hs state track meet running around there
Hey, bright guys, Staley’s number is 74, which would make him an ineligible reciever. So, no trick plays for him Sunday.
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Guess we all know who the bright guy is huh?
Dude your an idiot! Anybody can be checked in by the refs as a eligible receiver, my Jags did it all year with Guy Whimper this year. (Unfortunately, that’s not the reason we we’re 2-14)
Him and Davis seem like cry babies..
Its a shame Ted Ginn didnt get fat when he went to college