Nov. 25, 2015 RUSTON, La. - Everyone has a role model that leaves a lasting impression on them when they are young. For senior cornerback Bryson Abraham, his role model was his father.
Abraham grew up in a football community in Jennings, Louisiana and was the first in his family to go to college out of high school, something his dad Fredrick encouraged early on in addition to pushing Abraham to succeed on the gridiron.
"I had a lot of support [in Jennings]," Abraham said. "It is a great place and a great environment to play football. My dad always told me to be a student athlete and if I was going to do something why not be the best at it.
Abraham's father did not just advise him on what to do growing up, but he also led by example. That is something that Abraham recalls to this day.
"He did not just tell me how to live but showed me by example," Abraham said. "He showed me how to be a man and how to take care of business. Not everything is not about the glitz and the glamour, the money. It is about doing the best you can and the results will come. I cannot say enough about my dad. He is my father, my best friend and the man I look up to. I tell him everything. He is one of the main reasons that I am here to this day."
Abraham's father held true to that value that he taught his son when he was offered different jobs throughout the years that would have paid better, but he decided to stay at his job driving a Pepsi truck.
"That right there told me that he was not worried about money as much as he was worried about making our games and spending time with us," Abraham said. "For him to turn down jobs and wake up at two in the morning for 22 years meant a lot because he worked 12-hour shifts and missed some sleep just to spend more time with us."
Abraham said that is what has stayed with him; that God comes first and then family. He also said his father was a God-fearing man and he passed that onto Bryson.
"I would not say that I am really religious so much as I have a relationship with God," Abraham said. "I have just been letting him use me in certain areas. I have just been thankful for what he has been doing and the stuff that he has been showing me."
Being one of the senior leaders of the Bulldogs, Abraham has strived to take the wisdom that his father imparted on him growing up.
"I take that example every single day and show that out here," Abraham said. "In the offseason when we would run and in winter workouts, I would work out and go hard. Even when no one was out here I was out here working on drills to make myself better."
That mindset Abraham has about his work ethic despite who is watching is a reason he has been such a valuable leader for the Bulldogs on and off the field during his senior season.
"They see it from me and I saw it from my dad and it is a trend of blessing people. I have a son that is nine months old and I know for certain that I am going to try to be half the man to him that my dad was to me."
Playing college football was a dream of Abraham's since he was a little kid. His father going through his struggles and being an example has made it easier on Abraham and made it possible for him to be able to play collegiate football.
"The main thing I can say about my son is that it does not matter what kind of day I had whether it be a bad practice or something bad happened in class, I know I am going to have to fight the next day," Abraham said. "I go home and see him with a smile on his face when he sees me and that makes me feel important. It is really all that matters to me and I see that and I think that this is all bigger than me. I have really been blessed these past few years, I have been blessed all my life but these past few years he has given me some great things."
Abraham plans on keeping the blessings going and making a difference in young people's life. He is getting his degree in psychology and plans on counseling kids or becoming a coach and helping out that way.
"I just want to live life and do what God wants me to," Abraham said. "I am just honored to be in this situation and be part of a family that helped me grow as a man."
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