Former Tiger wide receiver on schedule to earn his degree in May.
By: Phil Stukenborg
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NOTE: The Russell Copeland/Where Are The Now feature first appeared in the Sept. 7 Memphis Football GameDay program when the Tigers hosted Southern.
Playing during an era in which pass-oriented, spread offenses had not become the norm, Russell Copeland made the most of the times he was targeted.
Although it has been more than 25 years since he last caught a pass in a Tigers uniform, Copeland remains prominently placed in the University of Memphis record book in multiple receiving categories. He ranks seventh in career receiving yards (1,753). He is tied for the fourth-most 100-yard receiving games (5) and tied for second for the most touchdown receptions (3) in a single game.
Considering he played alongside Isaac Bruce, one of the program's most prolific receivers and one of the best to play in the NFL, the numbers are more remarkable. But Copeland, whose own NFL career included stops in Buffalo, Green Bay and Philadelphia, doesn't dwell much on the record book.
"It means a little bit more after you graduate (to see your name listed)," he said. "But records are made to be broken. If I'm (on a list) and someone (passes me), that means he's doing well and that probably means the team is having success, too."
Copeland with the Bills
Chosen in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by Buffalo, Copeland enjoyed his best NFL season in 1995 with the Bills. He caught 42 passes for 646 yards, an average of 15.4 yards per reception.
Today, Copeland, who lives in Southaven and is enrolled at UofM pursuing a degree in communications, is giving back to the community by offering training camp sessions for football players of all ages. He has worked with defensive backs and receivers, primarily high school and college athletes, in addition to those interested in preparing for professional football opportunities.
"I've worked with guys wanting to go to Canada (to play in the Canadian Football League), guys wanting to go to the arena league, things of that nature, getting them in shape, training them," Copeland said. "If they're leaving high school, I'm trying to get them prepared for college. If they're leaving college, I'm trying to get them prepared for the pros."
Copeland has conducted the training camps in the Memphis area, including sessions in Tupelo and Olive Branch. He works with between 75 and 100 athletes during a typical summer. Most of the players come to him through word of mouth.
Part of what motivates him to offer football skills training is to expose aspiring athletes to the knowledge he gained through his college and NFL seasons.
"If you go through high school, college and are fortunate to make it to the next level, you look back and say: 'If I'd had the opportunity to work with someone who'd played in the NFL when I was in the ninth or 10th grade, man, I could have learned so much'," Copeland said. "If I can (impart) my knowledge and give someone a chance to be better – physically and mentally – I'm all for that."
When he's had spare time, he spends it training his youngest daughter, eight-year-old Nadia, a soccer and softball player.
"I'm working with her on some agility stuff, some cone (drills), some strength drills," he said. "We've been doing the tire pull, some parachute work, some footwork. We've worked the whole summer, and I can see the (results) now that she's started fall soccer. I can see the explosiveness and the quickness."
Copeland has appeared on local sports talk radio as a regular guest to discuss the NFL. He also was an analyst for the Memphis Express football team's entry in the short-lived Alliance of American Football.
"That was a blast," Copeland said of the brief experience with the Express.
Copeland with the Memphis Express radio broadcast team
Encouraged by his children – Nadia, Raven, Russell Jr., and Racquel – Copeland is back in school and scheduled to earn his degree in May. Raven and Russell Jr. are UofM graduates, while Racquel is entering her junior year at the UofM.
"Once they got older, when they were in high school and getting ready to go to college, they didn't know I hadn't finished my degree," he said. "They said: 'Dad, I can't believe you haven't got your degree. You're always helping us with this and that.'
"It's something I really should have (pursued) once I got out of the NFL (in 1998). But I had kids and I was doing other things. Next thing you know, I've been out of school almost 30 years."
Copeland needs 12 hours to graduate before using his degree to start the next phase of his career, hopefully in broadcast journalism.
"I'm really excited about it," he said. "It's something I should have done earlier. I wish I'd have finished up school while I was in the NFL. But I was a young guy and I was just trying to concentrate on being the best professional. Now I'm more focused. Now I know what I want to do."
