Tyler Tettleton’s playing days may be over, but his football journey has just begun
He was arguably the greatest Ohio quarterback of all-time, a team captain and a holder of 27 different school records, but almost exactly one year after throwing for a career-high 375 yards against Eastern Michigan, Tyler Tettleton’s playing days have ended.
Although Tettleton, 23, is no longer in a football uniform, he has not left the sport. He serves as a volunteer on the Oklahoma football team and is awaiting to become a graduate assistant for the team. There, he works on the offensive side of the ball with quarterbacks — a position he knows well.
Tettleton, a native of Norman, Oklahoma, finished his Bobcat career with 9,129 yards and 67 passing touchdowns, which are both program records. Despite completing his career at Ohio last season with impressive stats, Tettleton was not selected in the 2014 NFL Draft.
That did not come as a surprise to him, however.
“I was real about what was going to happen,” Tettleton said. “I know what I can do, and I trust in my ability to have a chance to play at the next level. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the (National Football) League. I understood where I was football-wise. All of the supporting cast around me allowed me to make the move that I did, and that was to go to the Canadian Football League and work my way up.”
Tettleton worked his way north of the border, but he could not work his way on any professional rosters. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but was cut right before the season started. Immediately afterward, he wound up with the Montreal Alouettes, and was cut there as well.
“It was very different,” Tettleton said about his time in Canada. “It’s a totally different game up there, but it was a pretty cool experience. I would do it again if I could. It was really fun to meet new guys. I’ve never been to Canada either, so it was a good time to be up there and experience that and see what that was like. It wasn’t a trick that I did. It led me to where I am now. I’m just fortunate and blessed that I had the opportunity to do that.”
Despite not getting his chance in Canada, he didn’t give up on the sport he loves.
He describes his typical day at Oklahoma as “non-stop football,” and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I wake up at 6 (a.m.), get in the office and don’t get out until 3 (p.m.),” Tettleton said. “This is what I want to do. I love the game. It’s done so much for me. It’s hard to leave. I just love being around guys that love to make themselves better and are committed to winning. I just love every part about it. I wake up, and it’s non-stop football from there.”
Despite being 1,000 miles from Athens, Tettleton is in constant contact with his former teammates, especially with his fellow Ohio quarterbacks JD Sprague and Derrius Vick.
“I’ve talked to JD lately because of what’s happened to Derrius,” Tettleton said. “I’ve tried to be there for him. I want those guys and the team to be successful. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat. I want those guys to do their best. I try to be there as much as I can for them.”
Sprague says he and Tettleton are in contact with each other every week, whether it is a phone call or a text message. The conversations, he explains, range from football advice, such as when Sprague stepped into the starting role after an injury to Vick, or just fun banter.
“Most of the time, (the conversations) are not football related,” Sprague said. “Whether it’s about playing fantasy hockey, just fun or talking about practice and preparation with the team. Usually it’s just joking around, talking about fantasy football and stuff like that. He still does give me advice about how to prepare and what I should expect.”
With the completion of his career at Ohio, Tettleton has hung up his helmet for the last time and is turning his focus to building the foundations of others’ futures.
“I believe my playing days are over,” Tettleton said. “I’m just really focused on the next chapter in my life and that’s to coach. I’m dedicated and focused on getting better in this aspect in terms of helping young men graduate and get better every single day.
I really love what I’m doing, and I’m looking forward to it, this next step in my life.”
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