November 16, 2018
Jim Evancho
The Jacksonville Journal had the opportunity to sit down and speak to Cole Gaddy and his family about the potentially record breaking moment at tonight’s playoff game. Cole is set to break the Jacksonville record for the most starts by a player on the varsity team when the whistle blows at the beginning of the game.
Throughout his high school football career Cole has played in a variety of positions ranging from Center to Left Tackle. This year, his senior year, he has been switching between Nose Guard and Defensive End and has also been added to special teams as a long snapper. It is his versatility that makes him an excellent option for the coaching staff of the Golden Eagles Football.
Cole gives credit to his Father, Craig Gaddy, for helping him learn and become better at football starting at a young age. Cole stated “Dad is the person behind the Talent” as he explained how he first started playing while in kindergarten. Mr. Gaddy went on to say that Cole did not like hurting or hitting people at that age and agreed with his son when Cole asked not to play anymore. Although Cole was active during his years away from the football field, it was not until the fourth grade that he tried to play once again. He started playing with the Coosa Valley League but had to play much larger kids due to the weight restrictions outlined in the league rules. Cole went on to say how he learned that getting tackled hurt when he was hit by these larger kids but it only made him dig deeper.
Cole is a dedicated player and athlete and proves this every day when he makes sure to hit the gym. During the season he will work out every day Monday through Thursday and during the off season he works out Monday through Friday. Cole is able to be productive on the field because he will not only lift weights but will be sure to include heavy cardio exercises to insure his speed as well as strength. Cole’s Mother, Tori Gaddy, interjected that he is a huge consumer of chocolate milk at all times and Cole just smiled and agreed. Perhaps that is a part of the secret ingredient that makes him so dangerous on the field.
Cole is also a very focused and determine player in every athletic event he partakes in. One example that was offered by his Father was during a tennis match when he was in the 7th grade. Cole was playing in a match when his coach told him he needed to be more aggressive. Cole then disappeared for a while causing Mr. Gaddy to look for him. He was located in the car putting on blackout under his eyes and playing heavy metal music to get himself “pumped up”. Needless to say, it was explained to the young warrior that blackout was not needed for tennis.
We asked Cole how competitive he and his sister, Ashton Gaddy, were when they were growing up. He went on to say that his sister has a lot of championship rings and won 2 times while attending Jacksonville. The first ring won was in 2012 for the girls basketball team and the second was in 2013 for the Volleyball Team. Cole recalled a conversation that he and his sister recently had where she asked him “Do you miss me”? He responded with “How can I miss you when I see your face on either side of me when I am in the gym”.
When asked about any traditions he has regarding his preparation for games Cole said he has a few. One that was very important to him is the special handshake he shares with his girlfriend, Chloe Crosson, prior to every game. Chloe is on the Jacksonville Golden Eagles majorette and travels with the team so she is always there for the handshake. Cole has also enjoyed taking on Lineman Coach Bibbs’s shoulder bump with other players prior to the game. One tradition that has special meaning to him is when he gets taped up. Cole went on to explain that he does not normally need tape but when he does he always has “CB23” written on the tape in honor of a friend of his that took his own life. For the most part though, Cole enjoys solitude in the locker room, or on the bus when traveling. He will put on his headphones and listen to music that gets him into the proper zone. At times he will even try to get a quick nap to make sure his head is clear. When the game is over his traditions do not end. After every game you will find him at the Waffle House having breakfast. He does have a “usual” which includes Texas Bacon Egg & Cheese meal with, of course, chocolate milk.
Cole is very proud of the team he plays with and feels like they deserve more attention that himself. He said that it was the team that has gone this far and not just any one person. He is adamant about making sure he does his job so the other members of the team can do theirs without obstacles.
In his personal time he is a very active member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where he likes to play the guitar with the bluegrass church group. He also donates his time to teaching younger children with bible study and has also stepped up as a Sunday School Teacher. Mrs. Gaddy was sure to mention that Cole is responsible for washing his own laundry and has done so since the 4th grade when he failed to get his jersey washed and the resulting smell affected the entire family.
When asked what is going to be the next phase in Cole Gaddy’s life he said he is looking forward to College. He has been offered an academic scholarship at Millsaps College in Mississippi. The division 3 school has a 5 year MBA program that he would like to take. Upon graduating college he said it would be his dream to run a children’s hospital one day. He has always wanted to help children that are in need and will always continue to search for that.
