2021 PFN Player Preview: Damani Stafford-California Trojans @StaffordDamani @caltrojansfb

Tagged under: District 7, News, Player Previews

Billy Splain | August 11, 2021

Damani Stafford

California Trojans

Class Of: 2022

Position(s): ATH/LB

Jersey#: 1

Ht: 6’0 – Wt: 216

Other Sports: Basketball

Awards?
2021 All Conference & All Area Athlete and Impactful Player

Twitter @StaffordDamani

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Why do you play football?
I play football because I saw what this sport can do for other people. This sport takes young boys and shapes them into young men and honestly, football helps change peoples lives. I’ve played since I was young and the thought of never playing football scares me because this is all I know. Football is the only sport you get smacked in the mouth and you have the choice whether or not to get back up.

Who is your favorite sports star and why?
My favorite sports star is Lebron James because he is an outstanding leader and makes the people around him better and that’s what I want,I want to be a leader you can count in those hard times to lift everyone else up.

Do you have a favorite play you remember the most? Explain:
So, Coach Woods would usually say the number of the play, then tell me the play but every time he called 13, I just ignored the rest because it was a QB Counter Trey Left and we scored off of it every time we ran it.

What are your goals for this coming season?
Our goal every year is to win the conference but this year we are changing it up a bit our new goal is to go far in playoffs and have another remarkable season.

What is your favorite Pro team, any sport?
Ravens & Lakers

What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game and why?
My favorite game was when we played Avella last year and everyone thought we were going to lose to them but, we had other plans. I had a my first breakout game in high school especially when I scored the first play of the game. That game was one to remember the whole team was on it and everyone showed out.

What sports movie would you watch every day if you had to pick one and why?
When the Game Stands Tall. I’d pick this movie because this movie teaches you real football and what it’s actually about which is family and that everyone is your brother and the amount of wins or streaks doesn’t matter either it’s about having fun and playing with your brothers.

If your mom and dad are screaming at you from the stands, what is it they usually yell?
My mom usually stays quiet but my Dad is yelling at all times with the other dads in the stands yelling “Turn up 1”.

Who is your mentor, the person you want to be like?
The person I want to be like the most is my older brother, he really taught me the ropes in high school and now helping me with the recruiting process and getting looked at. He is the only person I know that will put someone else first over him he is a very non selfish person and works so hard day In and day out without wanting anything.

Name a sport you’d love to play but can’t:
Hockey that’s another sport that’s a little more physical and I would play it but it will interfere with football and plus, I can’t ice skate.

Is there anyone in your family, besides your parents, you could consider your biggest fan? Who, Why?
Definitely all my siblings! I have a little brother though that comes to every game no matter what me you can hear his little 8 year old self yelling “go mani” he is definitely my biggest fan outside of my parents.

When you aren’t playing, practicing or training for sports, what is your go to activity and why?
Hanging out with friends, whether it’s playing video games or getting a bite to eat.

What is your favorite football memory to date?
My whole Freshmen year was fun and exciting especially getting to play with my older brother.

What is your favorite play to run?
Now since I’m playing running back again, my favorite play is student body, which is a run off tackle one of California’s favorite plays now.

What scares you the most?
Not being able to play football anymore or getting hurt and ending my career.

Music of choice:
Rap and Country, have to be able to switch it up a bit.

What restaurant is your go to when you need a big meal?
Texas Roadhouse love their steak and rolls.

Which one? Sheetz or Wawa
Definitely Wawa, not to many people in Pennsylvania know about it but man it’s good.

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