Standing 6 feet, 4 inches, weighing about 240 pounds and sporting a buzz cut, Jerod Baker certainly looks like a football player. But until four years ago he had never played the sport.
Now Baker is considered one of the state's best high school gridiron standouts. He's glad he eventually followed the path to football.
"I decided this was my life," said Baker, a Central Washington University recruit and a member of the West Team, which will play the East Team at 1 p.m. Saturday in the 2009 East-West All-Star Football Game at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Coach's corner
At Arlington High School, Baker earned a reputation as a dedicated leader with superb strength. "He has an amazing work ethic in the weight room. The kid never misses a workout," Arlington head football coach Greg Dailer said of the lineman.
One of Dailer's favorite memories of Baker is a play from the 2008 season. Playing on the offensive line against Lynnwood, Baker fired out for a down block on a counter running play. Not satisfied with making one block, he streamrolled three defenders in a matter of seconds, Dailer said.
No more baseball
A late-bloomer in football, Baker primarily played baseball growing up. He was a catcher at Arlington through his sophomore year and played left field as a junior. But he didn't play baseball this past spring, deciding instead to prepare for college football.
Pumped up
Between his junior and senior football seasons, Baker essentially lived in the weight room and put on about 20 pounds of muscle. The added strength was crucial to his success, he said. He power cleans 300 pounds, bench presses 320 pounds and squats 490 pounds.
A victory to savor
Baker said his proudest moment in sports was defeating Jackson High in football this past fall. In its third game of the season, Arlington pulled off an intense 28-22 non-league, overtime triumph over the Timberwolves. "The whole rest of the night was in slow motion," said Baker, grinning as he recalled the game. "I just couldn't stop thinking about it."
Colossal Colt
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is Baker's favorite athlete. Why does Baker admire the 6-foot-1, 268-pound defender? "He has success and ability," Baker said, "and he has a swagger to him. He's a real professional."
Cultural connection
A member of the Tulalip tribe, Baker is a quarter Native American. His dad is half native. In addition to occasionally attending tribal potluck dinners and other cultural activities, Baker received financial assistance from the tribe that helped him pay for football recruiting trips and sports gear. "They've helped me a lot," he said.
Rhymes and beats
Before games, Baker likes listening to rap music. It keeps him pumped up, he said. His favorite rapper is Eminem.
