STATE COLLEGE — Navorro Bowman is looking forward to all things football these days.
The Penn State All-Big Ten linebacker has a clearer head, and a new number.
Considering 2009 is a new season for Bowman and his Nittany Lions teammates, maybe it should be looked at as a fresh start too.
Bowman was short with reporters when asked about his off-field incidents at Friday’s annual Lift For Life.
But that’s because he just wants to play football.
Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman says he has moved on from off-field issues that have troubled him in recent years/AP Photo
“I’m ready to get started,” Bowman said. “Just California, being our last game, and stuff like that, I’m ready to get stuff going and showing what we’ve been doing this offseason and how hard we’ve been working.
“Ultimately, win the Big Ten again and whatever bowl game we get to, winning that again.”
To clear the air, once and for all, Bowman said he is fine and won’t be missing time at the start of the preseason or when Penn State kicks off its season against Akron on Sept. 5.
Preseason drills start on August 10.
Bowman was in a Centre County courthouse earlier this spring after it came to light he violated his probation terms from an off-field incident during the previous season.
Bowman admitted smoking marijuana to a judge, citing some emotional problems stemming from the death of his high school coach and his father.
“Yeah,” Bowman said. “I’m good.”
When asked by another reporter how things have been going since his probation was extended earlier this season, Bowman was again short and to the point.
“No, nothing,” Bowman said.
“Every college student makes mistakes. I’m in the limelight and looked close at by a lot of people. You have to take it day-by-day and live my life also. Don’t let this thing control what I do, keep being Navorro,” Bowman added.
“I’m not really focused on the word probation. I know what’s right and what’s wrong.”
But back to on field issues.
Bowman will finally, as a starter, be paired with returning Sean Lee to form arguably one of the best linebacking duos in all of college football.
“We feed off each other every single day, you know, us working out on the field really, we’re two great athletes as you can see. What better partnership to have than the two best linebackers in America on the same side of the ball, on the same team,” Bowman said.
“I’m looking forward to playing with him and working with him also.”
“I think we’ll be at the top when it’s talked about our best defenses. Like I said, me and Lee are (No.) 1-2 linebackers that the game has to offer in college. We’re going to be a tough pair to stop and a tough defense to stop.”
And about that number change, from 18 to 11, it’s all part of Bowman’s healing process as he rebuilds emotionally from his toughest year off the field.
“A better season than last year,” Bowman said. “That’s the object of getting better. Being a better football player. No. 11 is just me, I made a choice and I am going to rock with it,” Bowman said.
Don’t call anything Bowman’s gone through a coping method.
“There’s no coping methods,” Bowman said. “It’s all apart of where I’m from and what I grew up around and I’m just going to leave it at that.”
“It’s not tough at all. I’m focused on football and that’s what I want to talk about.”
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1 Comment
July 11, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Papa Joe knows how to coach. I am Lycoming College grad-1977. Two of my best friends taught at Penn State in the 1970-80’s before they retired. Doctor Jack McManas-head of the creative writing department. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/