Navy Helped Thunder's Bolden Become Better Person, Player, Teammate
Published on March 18, 2009 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Utah Blaze News Release
OREM, Utah - After four years in the U.S. Navy, Chris Bolden got exactly what he was looking for - a new start in life.
Bolden (6-foot, 261 pounds) played just one year of high school football at Hephzibah High School in Georgia before getting in trouble. His parents didn't like the direction in which he was headed and neither did he.
He didn't play another year of high school football and shortly after high school he enlisted in the Navy.
"I wanted to get out of Georgia and do something so I joined the Navy," he said. "My parents were in the military so I had experience with that kind of lifestyle. I wanted to get out and see the world and travel. The Navy was perfect for me."
For a majority of his service he spent his time in Japan aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, and worked in Information Technology, mostly with messaging and a little bit with computers.
After his stint in the Navy, Bolden, who plays linebacker, defensive end and running back for the Utah Valley Thunder, got back into football and played one season at Concordia University and one season at Riverside Community before landing at BYU, the place he eventually wanted and needed to be. He spent three seasons there. One was a redshirt season.
"At that time I had recently recommitted myself back to my church and I knew what kind of environment I wanted to be in and I knew if I wanted to keep making that progress I knew I had to go to BYU."
With the Cougars in the 2004-07 seasons Bolden played in 23 games and recorded 42 tackles, including two sacks. They weren't quite the numbers he wanted to put up during his time, and had the desire to prove he still had more to give.
"BYU was a great atmosphere and I met a lot of people and have a lot of friends there, but football wise it didn't work out for me like I had expected," he said.
Last year he played six games with the Utah Saints of the AIFA and it was during that time that he rekindled his passion for football, and now he is with the Thunder for their first year in Orem.
"I want to come out and show that I am talented and can play professional football and that I can come out and dominate and hopefully that will lead me to the CFL (Canadian Football League) or wherever," he said. "I want to show that I can play the game of football."
Working in Bolden's favor to achieve that dream is the four years he spent in the Navy, which has helped him become more determined as an individual as well as a better teammate.
"In the military it's really tough and really demanding on you, but you also have to work as a team," he said. "When things are expected of you, you get it done. There is no complaining. There is no whining about it. There are no excuses. That's the same with football. When you step out on the field you have a responsibility and you have to get it done."
The Thunder open their inaugural season in Orem when they host the Wyoming Cavalry on Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at the McKay Events Center (aka The ThunderDome) located on the campus of Utah Valley University.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 18, 2009
- AIFA All-Star Glenroy Watkins Returns to RiverRats - Erie Explosion
- Friday Night Football In Edinboro with the RiverRats - Erie Explosion
- Navy Helped Thunder's Bolden Become Better Person, Player, Teammate - Utah Blaze
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