SEATTLE SEAHAWKS NEWS

Marcus Trufant returns to old stomping grounds

Published by Seahawk Fanatic on May 17, 2009

Not much has changed to the field where Marcus Trufant first learned how to carry a football.

On Saturday Trufant returned to the place where he began to develop his skills as a football player, the Al Davies Boys and Girls Club in Tacoma.

The starting cornerback for Seattle hosted his annual Trufant Family Foundation celebration at the local community center on Hilltop. Along with his family, Trufant was joined by fellow Seahawks Deion Branch, Seneca Wallace, Courtney Taylor and Jordan Babineaux.

The event included a performance by Seahawks marching band Blue Thunder and an appearance by the Sea Gals, along with a host of games, a raffle contest and an autograph session by the players.

But mostly the event provided an opportunity for Trufant to say thank you to the place where his football career began.

“This is where I started playing ball, out here on these practice fields and everything,” said Trufant, pointing to nearby Stanley Elementary play field. “That’s where I started. So it’s always good to bring it back and kind of make it a full circle.”

Trufant also talked about the fact that he would have liked to have a chance to meet the Seahawks growing up as a child attending the boys and girls club, and that the opportunity to interact with his community means even more as a Tacoma native.

“I think me being from here and being drafted by the home team makes it more personal,” Trufant said.

Chris Jimenez agreed. Like Trufant, Jimenez graduated from Wilson High School in Tacoma. Jimenez got his Super Bowl XL program autographed by Trufant and others at the event.

“He’s probably going to spend his whole career here with Seattle,” Jimenez said. “So I think it’s great what he does here for the community.”

On the field, Trufant said the team’s offseason program is going well and that Seattle should be improved.

“Practices are a little bit different now that Jim (Mora) is running things,” Trufant said. “Everything is quick. Everything is fast and everything is more intense. So I think it’s going to carry over onto the year, and I think it’s going to look good.”