Sunday Conversation: Chase Reynolds still special
Editor’s Note: Former Drummond High and University of Montana star running back Chase Reynolds has spent the last five years with the Los Angeles (formerly St. Louis) Rams of the National Football League, continuing his remarkable career. Though he rushed for more than 5,000 yards at Drummond High, he was not offered a full scholarship by the Grizzlies. He flourished at UM and finished with 52 rushing touchdowns and 4,067 rushing yards, just three shy of the school record. Undrafted by the NFL, Reynolds, 29, has been a key special teams performer for the Rams. Reynolds, his wife Kila, son Talen, 11, and daughters Peyton, 6, and Tenley, 2, are spending the offseason in Missoula, where Scott Mansch caught up with him for our Sunday Conversation.
Question: What’s your contract situation right now, Chase?
Answer: I’m a free agent right now. Hopefully I’ll be back in LA, but you never know.
Q: Your wife, Kila, is also from Drummond, correct?
A: She went to high school in Drummond, but she’s actually from Ovando.
Q: And you’ve known here for years, haven’t you?
A: Yes. Since high school.
Q: Congratulations on your great football career.
A: Well, thank you.
Q: What are your thoughts on how this past season went with the Rams?
A: Anytime you only win four games it’s obviously a tough season. And then to lose our head coach (Jeff Fisher was fired), so it was tough in that aspect. But personally I think I had a pretty good season. I had some goals that I accomplished. I blocked a punt (against the Cardinals), and had a fake punt thrown to me (for a first-down reception). Our punt team was ranked No. 1 in net punting average in the history of the NFL. So all in all, our special teams had a really good season. That’s important to us core guys on special teams.
Q: Did you play on all the special teams?
A: Yes.
Q: Did you make a few tackles?
A: Yes, I don’t know what the final number was. Nine or 10, I guess.
Q: You’re such a great running back it’s a little strange to be asking you about tackles, Chase (laughs).
A: No kidding (laughs). I’ve learned to play defense. Sometimes at practice I run with the linebackers and do drills with them.
Q: Had you ever blocked a punt in your life?
A: No. That was the first time. (laughs) It was on my list of things to do before I was done playing in the league. It was a pretty neat experience.
Q: Did you play defense back in the day for coach Jim Oberweiser at Drummond?
A: I did. I played middle linebacker.
Q: We just found out that coach Oberweiser stepped down after 36 years. Reflect a little bit on his career.
A: It was probably a bittersweet moment for him. I know he loves coaching and loves the kids.
Q: What made him such a successful coach?
A: He is such a polite-mannered person. It was about winning, but it was also about respecting the other team. We never tried to run up the score. What was important to Jim is be respectful on the field and have that hospitality that Drummond was known for back in the day. When people would come to town, even though we’d beat them 56 to nothing we wanted them to leave saying ‘Those are the nicest people we ever played against.’ That was important to Jim and he instilled that into us. You can be a dominant football team, but also very respectful and down to earth.
Q: You’re obviously the best football player ever from Drummond, but man, there have been some great ones. Mac Bignell is having a great career for the Bobcats.
A: Yes, I know. Those Bignell kids have had a lot of success over there and there have been some others who have gone on to play college football. It has a lot to do with the work ethic that they have in Drummond. It’s not always the most talented kids who have success, but those who work the hardest.
Q: Did you grow up in town or out of town?
A: Right in the middle of town.
Q: You probably have been a Drummond fan ever since you were little.
A: I remember going to the high school games once in awhile. But I never watched. We were always on the sideline playing football ourselves (laughs).
Q: How are you dealing with the new co-op and new name of the football team (Flint Creek Titans)?
A: You know, I’m happy for them but it’s tough to see. Because Drummond had such a name. Growing it up it was the Drummond Trojans; that’s what it was. But if that’s what it takes for kids in Philipsburg and Drummond to play, you’ve just got to do it. It’s for the kids. But it is a little tough for me to see the name go away, because our teams and the guys after me helped build a dynasty down there. When we were in high school it was all about the Drummond Trojans. But the main thing is having a team for those kids to play on.
Q: Well, I’m pretty sure the University of Montana isn’t going to change the ‘Grizzlies’ name, Chase.
A: (laughs) I sure hope not.
Q: I’ve talked to some of your old college buddies in the NFL, like Marc Mariani and Dan Carpenter and Colt Anderson, and there’s such a brotherhood among you guys. I’ll bet it’s a real source of pride for you, right?
A: It is. We’re a pretty tight-knit group and people around the NFL know who the Montana boys are. It’s a neat thing we’ve got going on. The Grizzlies, and also the Montana State guys, we’ve kind of made a name for ourselves. It’s neat to see all those guys be successful.
Q: How do you feel about your professional career, Chase? Would you like to play some more football?
A: Yes, definitely. I’ve got a few more years in me. There are still some things I’d like to accomplish. I’d love to make it to the Pro Bowl. I got recognized a little around the NFL for a few things I did on special teams this year, so I feel like I’m getting closer to that goal. That’s one of the last things I’d really like to accomplish. Everything after that is icing on top.
Q: If you had to bet, do you think the Rams will make you another contract offer?
A: I would like to think that I’ve made a good enough impression to stick around. But in this business you never know.
Q: Well doggone it, somebody needs to remind those coaches that you can carry the football, Chase.
A: (laughs) I remind them of that every once in awhile. They’ve come up to me at times and asked ‘Are you ready? We know you can run the ball and if you have to get in there we have full confidence in you.’ Of course I tell them I’m always ready.
Q: What are your thoughts on the conference championship games? Who’s going to win?
A: I’m pulling for the Patriots and Green Bay. The Patriots have my old buddy Chris Long (defensive end), who I played with at the Rams for a long time. I’d like to see him play in the Super Bowl. And Jordan Tripp (former Grizzly linebacker) is with Green Bay, so I think it would be cool for him to get that, too. Tom Brady is obviously a fabulous player and Aaron Rodgers is a phenomenal quarterback, too. I’d like to see them both go at it.
Q: Jared Cook (tight end) is having a great run here with the Packers and you probably know him pretty well from your time together with the Rams, right?
A: Yes, I know Jared quite well. He’s a great guy and I’m glad to see what he’s doing over there.
Q: When you look back on your great football career and how much you’ve done after growing up in that little town, it must make you want to pinch yourself and ask if it’s all real.
A: I try not to look back too much. I just try to stay focused and approach it like it’s my job. But it’s important that you take time to realize what’s going on. It’s a little surreal sometimes. It really hits you when you’re sitting here and watching the playoffs on TV and you start to realize man, I do that for a living. It’s hard to put it in perspective, I guess. Gosh, I’ve been doing it for so long and it’s hard to think of doing anything else. It’s pretty special.
Q: I know you’ve worked hard for everything, but I’m sure you feel blessed, too.
A: Yes. Very much. Obviously a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work.
Q: Tell me that story again of when you joined the Grizzlies. Was it a walk-on deal?
A: Alex Verlanic, who was my center in high school (and went on to a fine Grizzly career), they split a scholarship between us. So they gave me a half a ride. Came to Missoula with a few dollars and that was it.
Q: Well, did those Griz coaches want Alex more than you or what, Chase?
A: I’m not really sure (laughs). That’s a good question. Alex was a great center for them. He’s one of the seasons I did what I did. I sure didn’t do it on my own.
Q: Is there anything you’d say to all the Montana fans who have followed your career and continue to pull for you on Sundays?
A: I appreciate the support. I love when I see something in the paper and somebody says I’ve ‘inspired their life or inspired their kids.’ That’s really cool to me. To have an impact on somebody’s life is special. To demonstrate that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what people think or what you’ve been told, it’s hard work and dedication and you can do whatever you want in this world. That’s what I try to do.
Q: Is your boy Talen playing any small-guy football and wearing No. 34, Chase?
A: (laughs) He has been. He played football in St. Louis. No. 34 is his favorite number, which is pretty cool. He tries to get that in all the sports he plays.
Q: It’s great that you’re married to your high school sweetheart, too, Chase.
A: It is. We just celebrated 10 years (of marriage) back in July. She’s a real good woman and keeps the other half of our family together.
Q: Thanks very much, Chase, and all the best to your family.
A: I sure appreciate the call, Scott. Thank you.
Scott Mansch’s Sunday Conversations appear in this space frequently. Mansch can be reached at 791-1481 or smansch@greatfallstribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @GFTrib_SMansch