By Whitney Spencer
For University of Louisville sophomore wide receiver Douglas Beaumont size doesn’t matter.
“I just feel like because of my size, not too many people see that I can go out there and play Division I college football,” the 5-foot-9 175 lb. Beaumont said. “My work ethic is very hard and I go out there and do my best at everything I can.”
After being limited to special teams last year, Beaumont has already found his place in the offense this season.
“Last year I was more of a role player,” Beaumont said. “This year I hope to do special teams and also be a part of offense and catch the ball and score for my team.”
A native of Louisville, Beaumont has shed the fear of meeting expectations and has come to realize the importance of his game. The importance he feels lies in his hard work and what he has learned from his grandfather.
“My grandfather was always a hard worker,” Beaumont said. ?”His love was driving trucks just like my love is football. Even when he wasn’t driving trucks, he was working on trucks. That’s how I am with football. Even when I’m not playing football, I’m watching football. That’s who I look up to.”
That hard work will undoubtedly pay off once the season opens. Beaumont is likely to face players much larger than he is. He isn’t worried.
“I just feel like I could be as good as any of them in the Big East as long as I just keep working hard,” Beaumont said. “I do things that other receivers don’t do. I go hard every play. Some people might take off but I go hard whether I know I’m getting the ball or not.”
Beaumont doesn’t necessarily see himself as the future of Cardinal football, but will gladly accept such if it comes his way.
As he continues to grow on the field, his teammates notice the change and the potential he possesses.
“I think Doug has always been good especially throughout high school, but at U of L he has blossomed because of the training and conditioning,” freshman offensive lineman Nick Egart said. “Doug is totally different on the field now. He is all work and very serious and that’s why he does so well. If he keeps it up, the sky is the limit for him.”
Beaumont can’t help but to imagine what his future will hold. Knowing the importance of the Cardinal football program, he has aspirations of one day seeing his face on the billboards sprinkled around the city of Louisville promoting Cardinal sports.
Beaumont watches former U of L players such as Michael Bush and Brian Brohm and hopes to one day be what he calls a “city role model.”
Beaumont has grown to trust his fellow teammates but none more than his roommate, freshman quarterback Matt Simms, the one person he hopes in the future to be able to make a difference with.
“Right now we’re in the same grade and we’re going to grow up together,” Beaumont said. “I hope someday we can be a good combination where he can trust me and throw me the ball and I can trust him to throw it to me.”
Beaumont is certainly part of the future of this larger than life program- all 5 feet 9 inches of him. ?And how does he summarize his future plans on the field?
“I’m just going to go out there and leave a name for myself,” Beaumont said.
“God has given me talent to play sports and I’m going to use it for him. I’m just going to go out there, play hard, and just try to leave with a good background from playing football at the University of Louisville.”
