2010 Paul Hornung Award Winner Teleconference Quotes

January 10, 2011

Stanford FB/LB Owen Marecic Opening Statement

“I am very honored to receive such an award.”

On the 2010 season and his success…

“It was a special year and a real special group of guys. For myself, I just played a small role in the whole process all year… I was just trying to do whatever I had to do to help the team out as much as I could all year. With the talent on my team and the coaching that we had, our coaches are tremendous. They have been so patient and persistent all year. With the talent around me, I had the easiest job all year. I played a small role in everything.”

On Paul Hornung and his career…

“He really defines what it means to be a football player, the talent and versatility. It is also the devotion to the team, help out the guys to be successful around you. The constant challenging yourself to get to the next level.”

On new San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh…

“He is one of the best coaches in the game right now, hands down. His energy and enthusiasm have really set the tone. He has an attitude about him that we really bought into. He is really the chief reason for all of our success and for turning this program around. It really rests on the shoulders of Coach Harbaugh. He is such a great competitor. It is going to be fun to see if he can bring the 49’ers back to their glory days. If anyone can do it, Coach Harbaugh can do it.

On playing both ways…

“I guess about two years ago, Coach Harbaugh was the guy that asked if I would be willing to do it. When its Coach Harbaugh asking, I said absolutely. Back before all of that, I couldn’t have imagined it. I couldn’t have imagined coming to college and playing on both sides of the ball. Once that opportunity arose, I tried to make the best of it.

On what is hardest about playing both ways…

“The mental side of understanding the defense and understanding the schemes of the defense...”

On physical exhaustion during the season…

“I think during games, I didn’t feel my body was giving out on me or that I was too tired. It was game day. When its game time, you have to do whatever you can to fulfill your responsibility to the team. It is so much fun playing, especially when you have so much success as a team. The motivation for that is plenty. We had a bye that was right in the middle of the season and that really helped. About half way through the year having a week of rest went a long way. The training staff does a great job and has us prepared during the offseason. The physical side was never a real urgent concern.”

Paul Hornung

Opening Statement

“I want to congratulate Owen. He had a sensational year as everyone realizes. Congratulations to your great victory on the bowl game… I want to thank the press for calling in today.”

(To Marecic)…

“You could have played back in our era, cause you had to play both ways. That’s why we came up with the idea of versatility.”