‘Big Fred’ Paving the Way For Ridgeland’s Offense

Rossville, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Ridgeland offense racked up 53 points last week against Heritage, and paving the way was 6’7, 310 offensive lineman Fred Norman. He’s certainly built for the football trenches, but he’s also not afraid to tackle another sport built for those a little smaller.

It seems big guys always get a nickname, and Fred Norman is no different.
Said Norman:”I’ve been called ‘Big Fred’ ever since I came or moved down to Georgia in 8th grade.”
Said head coach Cortney Braswell:”The guy has never met a stranger. Every time he hits the room everybody is like ‘Big Fred’. Everyone. He’s like what’s up coach. He is a phenomenal kid. He’s our gentle giant for sure.”
Norman already looks like an SEC lineman.
Said Braswell:”Now he’s got to play like it. he has the things you can’t teach. You can’t teach you know 6’6. You can’t teach 330. So now he has to put that kind of ability on tape to match is size.”
Some defenders may need to get taped up after facing Norman.
Said Norman:”Sometimes they’re like don’t hit me too hard. Well the first block that comes to my mind from last week’s game. We ran this play. I climbed up to the linebacker, and I hit both linebackers. My running back ‘Baby’. We call him ‘Baby’, but his name is Jordan Blackwell. He took it to the house, and everything was good.”
Norman is very mobile for his size.
Said Braswell:”Our basketball coach Matt King says Fred thinks he’s a point guard. A lot of people also know he plays tennis for us, so he’s a 6-foot-6 tennis player as well.”
Said Norman:”The tennis coach asked me if I wanted to play tennis. I thought it would be great for my foot work, so I played.”
Said Braswell:”He is a once in a lifetime type of talent and size, and so we are certainly glad he is on our football team.”
Norman:”It’s a very good blessing. Some people don’t have to play football. Some people don’t like playing football or some people are not able to play football through current situations. I’m just glad and able to do this.”