Lexington's Askew Ready to Make History
June 22, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
Cincinnati native Rayshawn Askew has been setting records and leading the league in touchdowns and rushing yards for years. He has two undefeated indoor championships, one with Ohio Valley and one with Port Huron, holds the NIFL record of 48 touchdowns in only one season, has scored 7 touchdowns in a game on four separate occasions, and has led the league in rushing with 1,089 yards in 2004. Now this hard working and determined player is about to raise the bar once again by completing 200 touchdowns, the first ever to accomplish this major indoor football record. Askew's success with the Lexington Horsemen has been propelled by his experience in the game, leading the league in rushing yards three years in a row, his offseason training, and overall knowledge of the game. With a level head and a strong work ethic, Askew is able to reach his goals and maintain a certain demeanor on and off the field.
Rayshawn Askew developed his love for the game of football at the young age of six, courtesy of his father. Askew has been "loving it ever since" and always had the desire to play at the highest level and work hard. Pro Football Hall of Famer, running back Walter Payton, older brother, Mister Askew, and brother, B.J. Askew (who currently plays for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers), served as influences for Rayshawn's level of work ethic that has been critical to his success. The brothers continue to play football and continually provide support to each other, attending one another's games.
Original plans to attend Purdue University on a full scholarship were blind sided by the departure of then coach, Jim Colletto, prior to the signing of their contract. Askew kept a positive outlook and decided that it must not have been meant to be and attended Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. There he played wide receiver, running back, and kick returner. What most people do not realize is that the focus Askew maintained on the game of football, he also maintained in his academics graduating with a biology premed degree and a GPA of 3.6. This ability to stay focused Askew credits to his family saying, "they helped to keep me in the right direction and avoid negative influences".
Family has been a large part of Askew's experience in the football world. Not only does his immediate family travel several hours to attend his games, but he also notes that the other players are very much his family as well. Askew commends the Lexington Horsemen as a "winning first class organization with good character players". The best aspect of being a part of the team is "just going out with the guys and laughing...we're like a big family, it's hard to find that, everyone supports each other." Askew sees his roles on the team as not only running and scoring, but also leadership and guidance, helping newer, younger players understand the concepts of indoor football. A strong group of players is not the only ingredient needed for a successful team, but the fans are of utmost importance as well. "I play to the crowd and feed off their energy. I love the fans. Without them we wouldn't be able to play."
With the support of his immediate and Horsemen family, as well as the energy from the fans, Askew is able to accomplish the goals that he sets for himself and the team, one being to win his third championship. The biggest personal goal that Askew has set for himself is to continue leading in rushing yards and accomplish his biggest goal yet; reaching his 200 th touchdown, an event that evokes many emotions and can not be described by words (current NFL record is 208 held by Jerry Rice). In order to reach this goal Askew only needs four more touchdowns. He is also about to break the team's rushing and touchdown records, needing only 6 more rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Although breaking and setting records may all seem like a personal feat, Askew credits his fellow Horsemen, "I couldn't have done it without the offensive linemen and receivers to block for me. I couldn't do it by myself."
United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 22, 2007
- Week Fourteen Preview: Bloomington Extreme - Colorado Crush
- BlueCats Visit Bandits - Evansville BlueCats
- Storm Hit the Road for the Final Time this Season - Sioux Falls Storm
- Lexington's Askew Ready to Make History - Kentucky Horsemen
- Week Fourteen Preview - UIF
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