Published: August 26, 2008 11:50 pm      

Legend lends a hand at EMCC

SCOOBA – Fans of the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and most other NFL teams know the name Willie Roaf. Until this fall, the same could not have been said for many members of the East Mississippi Community College football team.

The 11-time Pro Bowl tackle has been volunteering some time this preseason in Scooba, giving pointers to the offensive linemen.

“It’s been a really good experience,” Roaf said. “It’s a little bit different being the one to give instruction rather than being a player.”

From the moment he first arrived on the Scooba campus, the future Hall of Famer was seen by the players simply as Coach Roaf. Part of that may have had to do with the fact that he was out of the league about the time they were entering high school.

“The guys had no idea who he was,” said EMCC football coach Buddy Stephens. “It wasn’t until they pulled him up on the internet that they found out who he was.”

“These guys are a lot younger than me,” Roaf said. “They don’t remember when I was playing, but it’s good that they understand that I’ve achieved a lot.”

The former Saint and Chief, who was drafted out of Louisiana Tech in 1993, is working on his degree from Long Beach State and is contemplating joining the coaching ranks.

“It’s been an eye-opening experience to see how much hard work (coaches) put in,” he said. “It’s been good to see how hard (EMCC defensive coordinator) William Jones works.”

Jones and Roaf were college teammates and have maintained a sibling-like relationship since. It was Roaf that helped Jones get his start in coaching, placing a call to then-Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson.

“He gave me an opportunity,” Jones said. “Now I’m just returning the favor. He’s just trying to get used to being around coaching and trying to get used to wearing the whistle.”

It was Jones that gave the 10-time All-Pro selection his first whistle, something which the EMCC coach is proud of. Roaf isn’t sure if he’s ready to be on the sidelines full-time, but there isn’t any doubt in Stephens’ mind that a job would be waiting at East Mississippi if he wanted one.

“If Willie wants to be here, we’ll find a place for him right here in Scooba.”