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Former Hawkeyes OL Austin Blythe thriving with
Los Angeles
Posted: Jan 31, 2019 07:17 PM CST
Updated: Jan 31, 2019 09:59 PM CST
WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa - Austin Blythe has started every
game for the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams this season.
Now the
Williamsburg, Iowa native and former Hawkeyes lineman has a chance to play and
win in the Super Bowl on Sunday in Atlanta. Playing for the Rams, however, was
far from the first choice when Blythe was cut by the Indianapolis Colts in
2017.
"They
basically said anywhere but Los Angeles, " said Blythe's father, Curt.
"So it's not been without mental and physical struggles, and that's what
I'm most proud of for him. I mean, he kept working, earned that job the first
two weeks."
Blythe's
father has watched intently as his son moved from versatile backup with the
Colts to starting right guard with one of the league's best offenses.
"He
likes the guys there," Blythe said, "really enjoys the environment
and the culture that Coach McVay and Coach Kromer, his offensive line coach,
has established and continues to foster."
Austin's high school coach and father-in-law Curt
Ritchie said the lessons learned from Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes have also
helped him in the league.
"For
him, it's just what he's been doing for five years at the University of
Iowa," said Ritchie. "You know, the meetings, the tape study, the
preparation part of it, I think he just feels like it was an extension of what
he was already doing."
And just like with the black-and-gold, Blythe has
found great success in Los Angeles.
"Coach Ferentz and his program, he really
preaches details, techniques and fundamentals. That's what's gonna make you a
good football player and help you win games. And that's exactly what the NFL is
about," Blythe said.
"I work hard. I pay attention to the details and then it just really helps
that I got a lot of great coaches and teammates."
That
perfect mix has Blythe one victory away from a Lombardi Trophy, something both
Ritchie and Austin's father still can't quite believe.
"Playing
in a NFC Championship game, and now a Super Bowl?," Curt Blythe said.
"No, it's just...we're just incredibly blessed."
And both
men know Austin will be fulfilling a childhood dream -- win or lose in Atlanta.
"Going
into this last game down in New Orleans you think he's one win from starting in
the Super Bowl game then still the next morning you wake up and think 'did that
really happen?'," Ritchie said. "I think sometimes we tend to dream
too small. And yeah...he's just proven that this can happen."
