Getting to Know … Dantrell Savage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Dantrell Montanner Savage.

Born: February 15, 1985 in Columbus, Georgia. It’s located on the Chattahoochee River that separates Georgia and Alabama. Phenix City, Alabama is directly across the river. Columbus was the site of what may have been the last battle of the Civil War. It happened on Easter Sunday 1965 when Union forces attack the city and burned many of the industrial buildings. The battle came after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Columbus is the nearest town to the Fort Benning Military Reservation, home of the U.S. Army Infantry School. Famous folks from Columbus include John Stith Pemberton, the creator of Coca Cola, novelist Carson McCullers, guitarist Robert Cray, baseball player Frank Thomas and former NFL players like Otis Sistrunk, Brentson Buckner and Nate Odomes.

Family: The only son of Virgil Willis Dunlap and Monica Hubbard. He has two half-siblings, Arsenio and Lastanicha.

Attended: Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi and Oklahoma State University.

Why did you end up at Oklahoma State? “My J.C. and the Oklahoma State coaches knew each other. They felt that was the best spot for me. I thought it would be great to be away from home to be in another culture.”

Were you surprised when you were not drafted? “I wasn’t surprised. It happened for a reason. I have always been about proving myself, so this situation is no different.”

When you look at your production, you ran for 1,000+ yards in high school, 1,000+ yards in junior college and 1,000+ yards in major college football. Why do people still doubt your ability? “It’s just human nature; people think you have to be a certain size to play football. They don’t realize that some of the best backs in history have been my size. Look at a guy like Darren Sproles and his production.

Going into the draft, you decided to stay in school, rather than leave and spend your time preparing for the NFL Combine. Why? “I was 18 credits short of graduation and I wanted to graduate. It was a very hectic time. I was training to get ready for workouts and the combine and I was taking Spanish, Math, History and the line. I was somewhat stressed out. I had to prove to myself that you could do anything.”

Where does Dantrell Montanner come from? Is that a family name? “It came from my Auntie and it’s just something she made up as far as I know. I’m not really sure how she came up with it.”

Who is your hero? “That would be my Mom, because she’s been such a strong woman. She worked three jobs when I was growing up to support the family. I stayed with my Grandmother because my mom was in and out all the time going back and forth to work.”

What’s your favorite meal? “I’m a down-home Southern boy and I like soul food. Give me some cornbread, collard greens and a turkey neck.”

What’s your favorite place in the world? “Home. There’s no place like home, isn’t that the saying. It’s true. When I’m away, I look forward to going back.”

If the TV is on what are you watching? “I like the oldies. I love to watch Good Times, Sanford and Son, and The Jeffersons. I love George Jefferson.”

What’s on your I-Pod? “A lot of gospel songs and some Kurt Franklin. Slow jams, R&B-type stuff.”

What do you drive? “It’s an orange 2004 Honda Element. That’s my sweetheart. It’s got 20 inch rims and a TV. My Dad hooked me up with it. I’ve had it since junior college. Right now I have about 80,000 miles on it.”

What was your first job? “I worked with my uncle doing construction work. It was the hardest job I ever had. You work in the sun, on scaffolds, in the Georgia summer. It was a good experience.”

What was the hardest class you had in college? “Spanish and Math. Oh yeah, my last math class really kicked me. If you get behind in math there’s no hope for you at all.”

Tell us something nobody knows about you? “Most people don’t know that I’m real fond of muscle cars. 396 Chevelles, old Camaros, Grand Nationals, cars like that. My Daddy put me on to those when I went down and stayed with him in Miami.”