Routt Emerging in Secondary

Loyal fans of the Raider Nation, football analysts and opposing coaches keep hearing a new name emerge when discussing the improving play of the Raiders defense. With three interceptions in seven games, CB Stanford Routt. is starting to raise eyebrows, showing potential to be one of the league’s top cornerbacks. The speedy Texas-native has a unique tale; he was an outstanding track and field athlete who developed and adapted his skills toward the game of football.

The position of cornerback is one that requires agility, strength, intelligence, and most of all, speed. While attending the University of Houston, Routt excelled on the football field, but also made great strides with the athletic program’s track and field team. Stanford received the award for Conference USA Men’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2004 after winning the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes. During his four years of playing football for the Houston Cougars, Routt dominated the right cornerback position recording 136 tackles and seven interceptions during his 43-game tenure with the team.

Routt has incorporated the important skill sets and lessons learned from his track and field experiences and transferred them to the game of football.

“It helps by having the speed to go with a receiver down field, being able to hold up in the third and fourth quarters in terms of endurance because you won’t be tired as easily because you have that track pedigree in you,” Routt explained. “Also, track is a sport that is more one-on-one. It is a team sport at the end of the day but a lot of races involve individual effort. That’s almost like cornerback where you’re on an island a lot. It’s more of an individual type thing the we way we play man to man. Track and football have their correlations here and there.”

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