Quincey September grew up with elephants, lions and giraffes as pets.

At least that’s what he fooled his teammates into thinking when they asked him what his life was like growing up.

“Most of the time, people believe me,” September said.

That’s because, unlike many of the athletes on William and Mary’s football team, September didn’t grow up in the Washington D.C. area. He’s from South Africa.

And though he came to the U.S. having never played football, he’s become one of the Tribe’s best linebackers, having recorded 21 total tackles in just five games this season.

September lived in Kwazula Natal with his parents and three siblings until the 10th grade, when he was given a scholarship to come to the United States to play basketball at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Va.

For his first year he lived with a host family, but spent the majority of the school years after living at a boarding school with many other international students.

It wasn’t until a friend encouraged him to try out for football that he even thought of picking up the sport. He had grown up as an avid rugby player in South Africa, but his only experience with American football was watching the Denzel Washington drama, Remember The Titans.

“I don’t think there were that many kids trying out,” September said. “They just put me on special teams to begin with so I could get the hang of it, and I just went from there.“

On his high school team, September filled many shoes. He was a linebacker one day, a wide receiver, running back and even kick returner on others. Wherever his athleticism was needed, he was willing to step up.

But while his athleticism was off the charts, his football smarts still needed refining. In September’s first few practices, he would try to tackle opponents by the head, similar to the way it’s done in rugby, his high school coach John Blake said.

“He looked like he was wrestling cows,” Blake joked. “He would go right after somebody’s head, and not with his head. He would go headlock people, and throw them to the ground.

“It was pretty impressive.”

As he slowly matured into one of the team’s most reliable players, he was still unsure of his future. He played basketball throughout high school but decided to stop afterward because he didn’t think he was good enough to have a future in it.

He wanted to play football. But even with just days to go before the signing deadline, no football team wanted him.

“I got a couple of looks here and there, but William and Mary was the only school that offered me on the week of signing day,” September said. “Wouldn’t say I had a choice, the decision was kind of made for me. I’m very happy with it. I’ve been blessed.”

Now, as a senior, September has come into his own. His once-thick South African accent has faded with time. And though he only recorded two tackles in his first season, that number rose to 19, and eventually 38 in the two seasons that followed.

Fellow senior and roommate of four years Matt Crisafi said that September is one of the most competitive people he knows. Whether they’re just hanging out playing video games or it’s before the game Saturday, September’s desire to win doesn’t have an off switch.

“I see him spending a lot of time watching film and studying the game,” Crisafi said. “I think one of the things coming in, he was a very physical and fast player. He kind of had the athleticism down, but he hadn’t learned all the nuances of the game.

“Now he’s solidified being one of our best linebackers.”

And while September has proven himself valuable at William and Mary, he’s being sorely missed back home. His family and friends don’t know much about the sport he plays now, although he said his mom tries her best to follow it.

He’s willing to give his family a break though, saying that even after seven years playing the game, it’s still somewhat foreign to him, too.

“I’m still learning to this day, some of the intricate details of the game,” September said. “For the most part, when I came here, I just ran to wherever the ball was on defense. But since then, I’ve kind learned where to be at the right time.”

Published on October 18, 2013 at 11:18 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3