Since the age of five, Rashod Bateman, a talented multisport athlete, has had a passion for football. This passion drove him to become a dependable, hard-workingwide-receiver who helped create history.
On Sept. 8, 2017, the Tifton Blue Devils defeated rivals the Valdosta Wildcats 20-10. As his team sought to remain undefeated thus far this season, Bateman performed throughout the entire game, summating with eight catches, 93 receiving yards, and one touchdown.
According to Becky Taylor from the Tifton Gazette: “At the end of the first period, (Griffin) Collier found a rhythm with Rashod Bateman, who got the Devils into Valdosta territory for the first time.
“Four plays later, Tift was back on the field and the Collier-to-Bateman connections continued after a 21-yard run by Jones.
“Bateman caught two passes during the seven-play drive, including the one that ended it — a 22-yard touchdown reception where he shook off a defender after Collier found him on the left sideline.”
The Blue Devils created ground breaking history winning that game; the last time they won at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium was in 1993, when the Wildcats of coach Nick Hyder were defeated 8-7 in overtime by coach Gene Brodie’s Tift County team.
What was so different this year?
“Our team’s chemistry improved,” Bateman said. “We don’t have as many selfish players as we did last year. We have each other’s back and became closer to our coaches. Whatever they ask us to do, we do it.”
Yet head coach Ashley Anders thinks the leadership that comes with having so many seniors on a team is what drove them toward stronger discipline and success, especially having a player who embodies leadership.
“Rashod is a leader on and off the field,” Anders said.
Anders’ praise of Bateman’s character was only matched by his praise of Bateman’s athletic ability.
“He is just a natural football player; he is a tremendous route runner,” Anders said. “Not only is he very explosive off the ball, but he is so smooth with his running that he doesn’t look like he is running. He is extremely fast and is our vertical threat player.”
And Bateman’s skill and understanding of his position are demonstrated through his stats; Bateman leads the state in receiving yards, having handed in 642 on 28 catches (22.9 yards per reception on average) and nine touchdowns. Winning their Sept. 15 game against Parkview 50-37, Bateman finished with six catches, 248 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
Th 17-year-old Minnesota commit has a promising future given his talent and mindset.
“My work ethic is what distinguishes me from my teammates because I understand that hard work pays off,” Bateman said. “Sometimes I stay late after practice to run drills with my running-back. I have the mindset of a winner. My biggest milestone was winning state in basketball because that is every high school athlete’s dream and I finally got to do that in basketball.”
Bateman is well known for his leadership skills on the field, but he also uses those skills to positively affect his community.
“I use my leadership skills as a positive because so many kids watch me and they look up to me, so I have to set an example for them so they can be successful later down the line,” Bateman said.
Bateman’s overall goal is to make it into the NFL. While he studies his inspiration, Odell Beckham, Bateman’s passion and skill are paving the way for his dreams to become reality, exemplified just by his last season being a Blue Devil.
“Going into the game I am just anxious, yet excited,” Bateman said. “This is my last year playing as a Blue Devil, so for me and my fellow seniors, we have to go out with a bang. We were determined win.”
And winning is exactly what they are doing.
Bateman Starts Senior Year
With Historic Win
Written by: Candace Mitchell
Photography by: Aaron Musgrove
