These Devils are doing it

Sporting News, The, Oct 21, 1996 by Scott Bordow

While the Devils draw their leadership from Plummer, it is Roque who provides perspective and stability. The fifth-year senior has suffered through the losing seasons, the campus apathy, the seemingly annual whippings from those hated Arizona Wildcats. Roque told everyone that better days were ahead. And now that they're here, he is a 319 pound yellow light, warning everyone not to get carried away with the sudden success. It is Roque who best exemplifies Snyder's motto of "One at a Time."

"He is a rock," Snyder says.

He also is Plummer's personal bodyguard. The Sun Devils say Roque gave up just three sacks last season, and the left tackle was named second-team All-American by The Sporting News.

Roque, who earned his degree in Latin American History in May, has become one of the Devils' most sought-after public speakers. He's a go-to guy for Arizona's Hispanic TV and radio stations, and Roque often uses his parents' native tongue--they were born in Mexico--to deliver his message.

"I think kids have to be able to see that just because you're from an immigrant background or economically disadvantaged background doesn't mean you can't achieve," says Roque, whose father, Armando works in construction.

"That's just a stigma laid on people."

Roque says he can't remember when Armando last missed a day of work. Like father, like son: Roque has played every game the past three-plus seasons.

"I came from hard-working people," says Roque, who hails from Ontario, Calif. "It's the kind of mentality I implement in football."

Freedman implements a different kind of thinking: fear. He is nicknamed "Fright Night" for his vicious hits, and his nastiness has added a potent dimension to a defense that yielded 426 yards per game in 1995.

There's no more of that generosity, thanks to Freedman, who loves contact. In fact, he craves it. When Pac-10 official Mack Gilchrist spoke to the Sun Devils during training camp last year Freedman raised his hand and asked, "If the receiver comes across the middle and I put him to sleep is it a penalty?" Gilchrist was about to dismiss the question when a stubborn Freedman said, "No, no. I want to know. When the receiver comes over the middle and I put him to sleep--and I will put him to sleep--is it a penalty?" Gilchrist wasn't sure what to say.

"The thing is, Mitchell meant it," Snyder says.

Freedman developed his violent tendencies in Maryvale, a suburb west of Phoenix that is infested with drugs and gang violence. In Maryvale, it's survival of the fittest.

"I got in a lot of fights," Freedman says. "I never lost. I don't like losing. It's like football. If people see you out there beating everybody up, they're not going to mess with you."

On a team of vanilla personalities, Freedman is a color commentator. The sophomore says he would win the Heisman Trophy if ASU ever let him touch the ball and that. yes he would give Charles Barkley everything he can handle in a game of one-on-one.

"Charles is a punk," Freedman says. "He does nothing but use his muscle. I'm not scared of him."