LG’s Splawn at Home Under the Lights of the Stage and Stadium
La Grange junior Hayden Splawn has taken on the duties of being a star lineman for the football team and also performing as an actor.
Splawn had a big role in The Jungle Book play, which was held at the Fayette County Community Theater last weekend and was going back and forth from football practice to rehearsals.
“He’s a great, well-rounded kid,” said La Grange head football coach Matt Kates. “First time I ever saw him act was in the production of “The Wizard of Oz” a couple years ago and he did a heck of a job. Sports and musicals was how I was raised as well, so I have an appreciation for that even more so I think than most grown men. He does a heck of a job at both. You can’t say enough about his character.”
Splawn has a determination to set the bar high on and off the field, giving him the nod for this edition’s Player of the Week.
Question: What kind of things are you looking to build off of from last season?
Answer: “Knowing my teammates a little bit better. Building that family chemistry. Last season, I was kind of the new guy on the team. So I think building a better relationship with my teammates.”
Question: What’s your greatest strength as a football player?
Answer: “I think being able to listen and learn from my coaches. Being able to retain knowledge.”
Question: What kind of role will you be performing in the “Jungle Book” play?
Answer: “In ‘Jungle Book,’ I’m Shere Khan. It’s the antagonist of the play.”
Question: How are you able to balance football and acting?
Answer: “I just make sure they both get separate time from each other and that I kind of put them on the same playing field and don’t put one above the other.”
Question: If you could play the star role in any movie, what would it be?
Answer: “It would definitely be Fast & Furious. It’s a pretty serious franchise.”
Question: Who’s your favorite actor or actress?
Answer: “I like Matthew McConaughey. I like his style and the way he does things.”
Question: How long are you planning to pursue football and acting?
Answer: “As long as it allows me. With the Fayette County Community Theater, I can kind of do that until I’m not in Fayette County anymore. As far as football, just day by day. I’m going to play my entire high school career.”
Question: Who’s a football opponent you’re looking forward to playing the most and why?
Answer: “Giddings for sure. It’s what keeps me wanting to get better is Giddings. They’re definitely our rivals.”
Question: Where’s your favorite place to hang out in La Grange?
Answer: “I guess just wherever my friends are, to be honest. There’s nothing that really stands out.”
Question: What are some special qualities or traits you have that make you good at what you do?
Answer: “The understanding of what’s supposed to happen. The attitude that I bring. Willing to listen but also when it’s time to be mean, it’s time to be mean. That’s the name of the game.”
Splawn’s ability to soak in information will benefit him under the bright lights.
Fayette Co. Record’s Athlete of the Week
A Weekly Feature by BRIAN PIERSON
Recent FCR’s Athlete of the Week
August 20: Hayden Splawn, La Grange football
* As we begin a new year of county player of the week features, read about the new honorees in our Friday editions and then watch their interviews on our Facebook page a few days later.