EXCLUSIVE: Jaguars' Shaq Quarterman enjoys being role model
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Shaq Quarterman has been with the team since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Despite being fairly young at the age of 24, Quarterman always tries to help out younger athletes.
In a conversation with Sportskeeda, Quarterman said he enjoys being a role model to aspiring players.
"I think you approach it first and foremost with respect. I was once a young child myself looking up to Fred Taylor ... so whenever I get that chance, especially to get to be a hometown Jaguar, I love it.
"A lot of the kids I see outside the gates and stuff like that, I remember playing against those schools growing up. I still stay in contact with a lot of the guys that played in other parts and other neighborhoods.
"It’s bone-chilling to me, personally. Whenever I see a child, man, who want me to donate a dollar for whatever, I bless them. They really bless me by just coming and supporting.”
During his time in the NFL, Quarterman has recorded 40 tackles, including 3.5 stuffs for the Jaguars. He has primarily been a backup on the roster since being drafted but is a valuable asset to the linebacker group.
Jaguars' Shaq Quarterman looked up to Jon Beason growing up
Growing up, Shaq Quarterman idolized former Carolina Panthers and New York Giants linebacker Jon Beason.
Beason was a three-time Pro Bowler and made a few All-Pro teams. Like Quarterman, Beason went to the University of Miami and was one of the top linebackers in college.
Quarterman said he idolized Beason from the moment he joined university.
"Once I got to about high school, I knew I wanted to go to the University of Miami, they have a whole bunch of great linebackers. The one I most admired was Jon Beason. We play very similar, we look very similar, and overall, the same passion with which I play with, he played with times 10, so that was definitely something for me."
He added:
"He played in the orange and green, he was on Greentree Practice Field, the odds were against him, and he was just spectacular. In every situation, whether it was a situation that didn’t look well for him or his team, he just battled. That’s something I respect, and I try to emulate.”
Beason is a good person to look up to and Quarterman has taken it upon himself to pass on whatever knowledge he has gained from his predecessors.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Shaq Quarterman and H/T Sportskeeda.