• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    Archives
     By  Staff Reports Published 
    7:08 am Friday, May 25, 2007

    Russellville's Chad Sears talks about life's roller coaster ride

    By Staff
    Kim West, Franklin County Times
    Chad Sears graduated from Russellville High as an All-State quarterback and star basketball player, and then signed a football scholarship to UNA and embarked on an up-and-down college career.
    Sears joined the Lions in fall 1995, but actually played from 1997-2000.
    "My college career was a roller coaster," Sears said. "In 1996 I quit the team, but I missed playing football. I walked back on in 1997, and coach [Bobby] Wallace switched me to defensive back.
    "It was a blessing in disguise because I got to experience playing in the NFL."
    Sears started his UNA career under center and quickly found himself playing against the Purple Swarm defense, which propelled UNA to three straight national titles from 1993-95.
    "I look back and laugh now, because I was 18 years old going against the Purple Swarm defense," Sears said. "My first play was at Braly [Stadium], and I had the chance to go up against a defense that probably could have played against Division I schools. On the first play I ran an option and twisted my ankle, and I missed all of preseason camp."
    As a senior, Sears led the Lions in tackles and was selected to the Cactus Bowl, the Division II all-star game, and the All-Gulf South Conference, All-South Region and All-American teams.
    He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2002 and was assigned to NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals but then he injured his back.
    "I signed with the Buffalo Bills, who allocated me to the Amsterdam Admirals, and I spent two or three months in Tampa Bay, Florida, and I ended up hurting my back. I thought life was more important than being injured. I went back and finished my recreation administration degree, and graduated in December 2002.
    "You can ask for things, but God has different plans for us."
    While Sears was at UNA, he worked for the parks and recreation departments in Florence and Muscle Shoals, which helped him land the postition of Russellville Parks and Recreation director last year.
    "I love the City of Russellville, and my degree is in recreation, so I said, 'Why not?' I take this just as a blessing from God.
    "I manage approximately 20 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, and I coordinate activities and events. I try to implement new activities and events and make sure the department runs effectively."
    Sears said the department's most popular sports are T-ball, softball and basketball, and youth soccer grew from 70 participants to 100 last season.
    "I'm going to let my son decide which sports to play as long as he gets good grades and gives 110 percent," Sears said.
    "I will push him to do that because it will prepare him for life and the work force.
    In his spare time, Sears enjoys spending time with his wife, Lameka, who also attended UNA, and 5-year-old son, Mark, who loves to play video games.
    "One of my buddies tried to get me to go to the UNA library after a workout, and I met Lameka there," Sears said. "We saw each other every day from then on."
    Sears used a football metaphor to explain his outlook on life.
    "Russellville was a tremendous experience. It prepared me for college, and it prepared me for life," Sears said. "In football, you can take things positively or negatively, and you can feed off it and succeed, or not feed off it and fail.
    "If you get a fumble on offense, and the other team gets the ball, how are you going to react?"

    Also on Franklin County Times
    West Elementary gets new assistant principal, adds math coach
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    West Elementary gets new assistant principal, adds math coach
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 28, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Gayla Mills has been named the new assistant principal for West Elementary School. She has been employed at West Elementary for 29 years ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Delta Kappa Gamma welcomes new members
    Columnists, Opinion
    HERE AND NOW
    Delta Kappa Gamma welcomes new members
    May 28, 2025
    The Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Upsilon Chapter recently held a banquet at North Highlands Church of Christ. Hostesses were Emily Rush, Cheri McCain, Leah...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    4 honored duringRHS Performing Arts Signing Day
    Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
    4 honored duringRHS Performing Arts Signing Day
    By Maria Camp camp@frankllncountytimes.com 
    May 28, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE - Four Russellville High School graduates were honored during the annual Performing Arts Signing Day. Just as student-athletes commit to ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Father-son honored for heroic fire rescue
    Main, News, Z - News Main
    Father-son honored for heroic fire rescue
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 28, 2025
    LITTLEVILLE – Without firefighting gear but armed with experience and courage, a father and son saved two strangers from a burning home – an act that ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    It’s time to usher in the Golden Age of America
    Columnists, Opinion
    It’s time to usher in the Golden Age of America
    May 28, 2025
    When I was growing up, most products at the store had a tag that said “Made in the USA.” These days, it’s more common to see things are “Made in China...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Longtime Russellville coach Tim Townley retires
    Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
    Longtime Russellville coach Tim Townley retires
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 28, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE -- VILLE - Tim Townley is getting ready to start a new chapter of life. After 38 years in the Russellville City School system as a coachf...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Vina School Class of 2025
    Franklin County, Galleries
    Vina School Class of 2025
    May 28, 2025
    Red Bay High School Class of 2025
    Galleries, Red Bay
    Red Bay High School Class of 2025
    May 28, 2025

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Latest Local News
    West Elementary gets new assistant principal, adds math coach
    West Elementary gets new assistant principal, adds math coach
    RUSSELLVILLE Gayla Mills has been named the new assistant principal for West Elementary School. She has been employed at West Elementary for 29 years ...
    May 28, 2025
    There’s still time to get your STAR ID
    RUSSELVILLE — Franklin County residents who don’t have the STAR ID added to their driver’s license could experience delays in airline travel until the...
    May 28, 2025
    Grand jury charges 5 with drug trafficking
    RUSSELLVILLE — A Franklin County grand jury has charged five people with various drugrelated charges, including drug trafficking, according to court r...
    May 28, 2025
    Father-son honored for heroic fire rescue
    Father-son honored for heroic fire rescue
    LITTLEVILLE – Without firefighting gear but armed with experience and courage, a father and son saved two strangers from a burning home – an act that ...
    May 28, 2025
    Vina School Class of 2025
    Vina School Class of 2025
    May 28, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Obituaries
    Roy Lee Gober May 20, 2025 Roy Lee Gober, 80, of Russellville, passed away May 20. Visitation was held May 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Spry Memorial Chapel...
    May 28, 2025
    Congratulations, Class of 2025,now go forth and conquer
    THE ISSUE: Graduations are more than formal ceremonies, they are a symbol of completion and progress. It’s a time to celebrate all you’ve been through...
    May 28, 2025
    Birthdays
    May 28 Mikaila Fuller Brad James Madi Willis Shawn Hines Jr. Brandy Bullock May 29 Amy Vandiver Chris Montgomery Chloe Erin Brown Jennifer Fugate Jani...
    May 28, 2025
    There’s still time to get your STAR ID
    RUSSELVILLE — Franklin County residents who don’t have the STAR ID added to their driver’s license could experience delays in airline travel until the...
    May 28, 2025
    Marriages
    May 5 • Timothy Wayne Gann to Jamie Lynnette Gann May 6 • Timothy Allen Baker to Sheila Ann Cornelison
    May 28, 2025
    Latest Sports
    4 honored duringRHS Performing Arts Signing Day
    4 honored duringRHS Performing Arts Signing Day
    RUSSELLVILLE - Four Russellville High School graduates were honored during the annual Performing Arts Signing Day. Just as student-athletes commit to ...
    May 28, 2025
    Longtime Russellville coach Tim Townley retires
    Longtime Russellville coach Tim Townley retires
    RUSSELLVILLE -- VILLE - Tim Townley is getting ready to start a new chapter of life. After 38 years in the Russellville City School system as a coachf...
    May 28, 2025
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    OXFORD — The tears started when Belgreen gathered for the handshake line. They continued when the Bulldogs gathered their things and exited the dugout...
    May 21, 2025
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    The Belgreen Bulldogs’ inspired run through the Class 2A state softball tournament came to an end in the Final Four last week, marking the culmination...
    May 21, 2025
    RHS tennis player selected for All Star match
    RHS tennis player selected for All Star match
    Russellville High School tennis player Lily Cate Pace has been selected to play in the North-South Tennis All Star Match, which will take place July 2...
    May 21, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , Franklin County Times