Zach Okun Medically Retired from football earlier this week.
I first fell in love with Mr. Okun when he posted his Senior Year Football Highlights on twitter soon before he left for the University of Oregon football program. I watched this video of Okun demolishing everything in his path, shoving defenders to the side with ease as they couldn’t match up with his strength and size. As he came off the ball nobody in his path stood any chance at all. Blown away after watching this I replied “That was awesome” he retweeted and favorited it. It made my day and I was officially hooked on Zach Okun. This was a time in my life where the majority of the fall and winter months revolved around Oregon Ducks football. I found Okun on twitter when he announced his signing with the Ducks, as I did with many Oregon recruits. But something about Okun’s social media presence stood out to me. He always had something funny to say and you could tell that he had a humorous creative side to him. Much of that comes from his now unused YouTube channel where if I remember right watching one hilarious Party in the USA spoof. Unfortunately, his channel currently alludes me. Okun’s Snapchat is where I really got to know him. Not that he ever replied to my snapchats, but he also never blocked me after I sent him snapchats so I condone him for that. When I first started following Okun on Snapchat everyday he had a new story and at the start of every snap he would say the time and I always thought that was amusing. Anyway he was always good for a laugh, as well as giving behind the scenes access to the Oregon football team. We’ve come this far and I think I’ve talked more about Okun’s social media presence than his play on the football field. Maybe that’s because Okun didn’t get to play to much at Oregon. After redshirting his freshman year during the 2015 season he played is short spurts during the 2016 season. I personally got to watch him play at Washington State University. I sent him snapchats of that game as well but still no response. I was constantly trying to find him on the field whenever I watched the Ducks play. Everybody loved Zach Okun, I know I certainly did. He never failed to make me laugh. He was an up and coming force on the football field, a passion in which he will no longer be able to pursue. Over the past week we have heard a few young players in the NFL say that they would be willing to die on the football field because that’s how much they love the game. Okun realized that there is more to life than football. I’ve seen Okun live life to the fullest, I know he is going to enjoy it. Best of Luck to you Zach, I hope to meet you one day. Zach's Twitter: @_zooch Zach's Snapchat: bigsexy79
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By: Alex Sommerfield Zachary Banner – 6’9” 360lbs. Grizzly bear – 9’8” 600lbs. Okay not quite bear sized but you get the picture. If you saw him maul opponents on the gridiron you would understand. Either way Banner is a large man. He in the son of former NFL lineman Lincoln Kennedy, the resemblance is uncanny. Banner is a native of Tacoma, WA which is a city that has produced sports stars like Boston Celtics Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, the NFL’s Trufant brothers, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester. In high school Banner was an All American at Lakes High School. He committed to the revolving door of head coaches also known as USC in January of 2012. Banner is certainly a fan favorite his personality his infectious and with his college degree in communications he undoubtedly has a career in the sports media world ahead of him. Banner even created his own rap called the Elevator Rap after a bunch of USC lineman got stuck in an elevator. His smile is contagious and he is a joy to follow on social media. (Snapchat: zachbanner73, Twitter: @zachbanner73, Instagram: @zachbanner73) On the football field he is a beast. Being 6’9” he doesn’t have the greatest leverage in the world but he uses his incredible size and strength to overpower opponents and put them on their back. With that size Banner joined the USC basketball team during the 2013-13 season but didn’t see any time on the hardwood. Speaking of size and bears, it was rumored that Banner was over 400lbs during his time at USC. Which sounds like it would help him intimidate those lining up across from him even more but it would ultimately limit his mobility. He weighed in at 353lbs at the NFL combine, running a 5.58 40-yard dash. Playing mostly right tackle at USC he could stay out at the tackle position in the NFL with his uncanny size, although that size does limit his athleticism so he might have to be kicked back inside to guard. Either way nobody is going to be able to push Banner around. He will be paving the way for running backs and providing a safe pocket for the quarterback he is protecting. Banner is projected to go in the fourth round in the upcoming NFL draft, truly a gem for whoever picks him up. Banner is a Field of 3s favorite with his bear like size and his social charisma. If the whole football thing doesn’t work out Zach, you can come hang with the Field of 3s team. Oh and Banner was born on Christmas Day in 1993. Banner was selected in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts to finally give Andrew Luck some protection. |
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