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University of Minnesota Athletics
Timms Provides Leadership In His Role
9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
One of the most often repeated phrases around the game of football is "next man up." The idea that when a member of the team is unable to play, it creates an opportunity for the person behind him on the depth chart.
For Gophers redshirt senior Yoshoub Timms, the axiom became crystal clear last fall on the turf at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
"I was playing sparingly all year, and a couple d-linemen went down, so I was in a bigger role that game," Timms explained. "Coach Phelps told me to 'go out there, don't be nervous, and just play football.' I was kind of nervous for the first couple series but I started getting comfortable and playing hard."
As the fourth quarter began and Purdue had the ball facing a deficit, Timms made an impact on the very first play of the drive.
"The quarterback was scrambling because Steven Richardson caused the pressure and forced him out of the pocket, and I did a little quick move - I've been blessed with speed my whole life - so I was able to run him down," he explained. "It was a great feeling - that was my first career sack, so it was a special moment for me, having my family watching on TV and everything."
The moment didn't come with the full Hollywood ending - Timms had to leave the game after sustaining a minor injury and didn't get to show off his full celebration.
"On the sack I got the wind knocked out of me, so I wanted to get up and celebrate, but I couldn't breathe at the time," Timms said. "I was going to do my little Ray Lewis celebration I used to do back in high school. I had to get helped off the field, so I couldn't really celebrate the way I wanted to - Coach Kill to this day makes fun of me."
After missing the opportunity to pay homage to his inspiration as a football player (and the reason he wears jersey number 52), Timms still had a chance to soak in the achievement along with the Big Ten road victory.
"All these years, all that hard work I put in - conditioning, weightlifting - that sack solidified everything I've been through," he explained. "That game, getting that sack, was a special moment for me. I felt like, it has been a long journey, I came a long way from Florida and then I was like, 'I can do this.'"
Timms seized the opportunity and went on to play in the remaining seven games including four as a starter.
"I had the most confidence in the world going into every game," he said. "Sacks are hard to come by, so me getting one, I felt like I could do anything - I felt like a monster after that."
Bolstering a defensive line racked by injury, Timms's impact was felt beyond the stat sheet.
"It was great to see - it shows his character as a person," said defensive line coach Jeff Phelps. "Everybody wants to play and you can't have everybody on the field at the same time, but he got his opportunity and he embraced it and ran with it and had a great year.
"There's not a selfish bone in his body, he wants what's best for the team," Phelps added.
Now in his senior season and with his degree already in hand, the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native is ready to continue making an impact for the Gophers on the field, whether in the lineup or from the sideline.
"Every role is a big role - I'm rotating in with the 1's and 2's and playing here and there but I feel like my role is being a mentor, and when my number is called, make the plays I need to make and help the team be successful," Timms elaborated. "Being a mentor to these younger guys and help them with the values of football, schooling, making sure they stay on top of everything and work hard and don't get too frustrated with the process. "
Timms' role as a mentor extends beyond the Twin Cities. Back home in Florida, his younger brother, Sirryan, is just starting his football career and looks often to his big brother for inspiration.
"The other day he didn't want to go to practice and he was upset, and my mom told him, 'I know it's hard but your big brother did it,'" the elder Timms explained. "He said 'yes ma'am,' and went out and ended up having a great game. Being a positive role model for my little brother means everything to me."
Timms still has plenty of his senior season left, but has already started to reflect on his career.
"Don't take anything for granted," he said. "I never took it for granted, but throughout the years, I realized how much the game of football has done for me."
For Timms, the lessons he has learned from football can be summed up in his own phrasing.
"Take it day by day, work hard every day, and be a leader on and off the field."
