What exactly is a “Program Guy?”

It’s a phase coined by coaches to describe a player who goes beyond the physical results and embodies something greater than wins and losses. It’s style, not substance, that resonates with players such as these.

For 2009, there’s no better example of classic Linfield “program guy” than tight end Russell Sells (Sr., Folsom, Calif.). Considered a class act by teammates and coaches alike, Sells has flourished as the team’s quiet leader.

What fuels Sells’ success are a collection of intangibles.

“The amount of time and effort I’m willing to put into the program is so important to me,” says the senior from Folsom, Calif. “It’s not just about being the biggest, strongest and fastest, but also about the mental side of the game. It’s also about the way I carry myself on and off the field, trying to be respectful.”

Though Sells may not be the most athletic player on the field, he is surely the most prepared player.

“I take a lot of pride in my preparation,” notes Sells. “I try to really get a sense for what the other team’s defense is doing, what kind of blitzes they run and how I should react. I really like being aware so that if something does happen, I am able to adjust to it on the field.”

While a blocking tight end is hardly the stat-buster many of the skilled position players are, Sells’ value has not gone unnoticed.

“Russ is the intangible,” says Linfield tight ends coach Brandon Hazenberg. “He is intelligent, smart and physical. Russ is the unsaid glue of our offense. He may be quiet but the guys look to him for leadership.”

Playing in an offense that is loaded with multiple deep-threat wide receivers, Sells has found his niche as a consistent pass protector.

“I’m probably more suited to be a blocking tight end,” notes Sells. “With these great receivers who are running these deep routes, I can go out on short routes and give (Aaron) Boehme a check-down. I feel like I do more when I’m in protection and allow us the chance to get the ball down the field.”

The consistency and leadership the Wildcats are getting from Sells almost never happened. After struggling to break into the rotation as a junior defensive end in 2008, the idea of quitting football was become more of a reality for a struggling Sells.

“I put in a lot of work, coming out to practice and working hard and then getting to the games and not get as much playing time was tough,” recalls Sells. “I was really questioning how much I liked football and how much I really cared to be on the team.”

A fresh start came in the form of a position change.  After the Wildcats lost two tight ends, one leaving the team and the other to injury, Sells found himself thrust into a new position.

Rejuvenated to play football, the rest is history for Sells. With a playoff run for Linfield expected in the weeks ahead, Sells is in the midst of on of his finest seasons.

“I saw the team we could put together and the type of cohesion the team had,” notes Sells. “I realized what I big mistake it would have been to give that up and not be a part of it because this year has been one of the better years of my college career.”

But for every Russell  Sells, there are likely five players who give up and quit. As Sells explains, it’s because of some people’s inability to see the problem from multiple perspectives.

“I think you really have to sit back and take a look at every angle. People who give up just look at the moment and not the bigger picture,” says Sells. “I thought about being away from football and what connection I’d then have with those guys on the team. They are out there working hard and I wouldn’t have that anymore and I knew I would miss that.”

What Sells has provided the Linfield football program is hard to measure. His consistency and determination are visible every day by the way in which he approaches football.

“Russell shows up everyday ready to work hard and be a great teammate,” explains Hazenberg. “The bottom line is Russ is the type of guy you can trust on any level. Football, friends, and life – it doesn't matter. He will be there to help out in any way he can.”

With all of the many intangibles Sells exhibits on a daily basis, the most evident may be his team-first mentality.

Trevor Patterson (Sr., Pendleton, Ore.), who leads the Wildcats in touchdowns, is quick to point out the kind of teammate Sells is. On top of that, Sells’ versatility has given Linfield’s offense an extra dimension.

“Russell is a great teammate,” notes Patterson.” He is one of those guys that just get it the first time you tell him something. Russell is able to give us an extra lineman and still be a threat in the passing game. He is a really a dual threat”

As the ‘Cats tune up for the playoffs with Pacific Lutheran this weekend, the possibility of a national championship in the weeks ahead is not out of the question for Sells.

Regardless of how this season finishes out, it will be a journey well worth the sacrifice.

“I’ve gone through the highs and lows of this program and that’s kind of been amazing in itself. To experience the low times, like the crushing defeats and missing out on winning the conference and playoffs. And now to get the opportunity to have success and be in playoffs is really special,” reflects Sells. “You get to see a full range of people and experiences. That’s what you gain. That’s going to applicable later in life and so the amount that Linfield football has given me is almost immeasurable.”

While the tradition and history of Linfield football lives in record books and championship trophies just upstairs of Ted Wilson Gymnasium, it’s also made in the present. It is players like Russell  Sells who carry on the tradition with class, commitment and unwavering passion to compete.

– Eric Evenson ‘11