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| You know him as Robert Shufford. His opponents know him as the guy wearing 3 who just ran past, around or through them. Birmingham-Southern athletics photo |
By Brian Lester
D3sports.com
As a toddler, Chris Shufford battled cancer.
In high school, he was overlooked and underestimated by coaches on the recruiting trail despite being a three-sport star and all-state on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
And when he finally got to college, landing on the campus of Birmingham-Southern, Shufford started slow but soon picked up steam, pouring his heart and soul into becoming one of the best running backs in NCAA Division III.
It hasn't all been easy for Shufford, who is listed as Robert on the roster but told D3sports.com that he prefers to go by Chris. He's embraced the journey, taking every opportunity he’s been given and running with it.
“The way I look at it, I overcame all of these battles,” Shufford said. “I want to let everyone know that even if you have things happen in your life, you can overcome it and still live out your dreams. Anything is possible if you put in the work.”
If anyone needs further proof, look at what Shufford did two years ago when he captured the attention of the nation with a special season few expected.
The 5-9, 186-pound running back churned out more than 1,800 yards (1,834) on 212 carries and scored 15 touchdowns on his way to being named an All-American and a Gagliardi Trophy finalist, as well as earning recognition as the D3football.com regional Offensive Player of the Year.
He led the nation in eight statistical categories that season, including all-purpose and rushing yards per game, and was ranked in a total of 11.
So what changed that season considering the year prior he had rushed for only 490 yards and five scores? A lot of work.
Weighing just 150 pounds as a freshman in 2017, he built his weight up and hit the weight room hard.
“It was a need to get stronger,” Shufford said. "Everyone underestimated me. When I came in with more power, it shocked people. I came into the season being able to run harder, run people over and make people miss and juke them more.”
Shufford has rushed for 498 yards and five touchdowns already this season, helping the Panthers jump out to a 3-0 start. It’s the first time since 2015 the program has won its first three games.
“We have a good vibe, good chemistry and a good culture within this group,” coach Tony Joe White said. “The players understand this is a marathon season. We’ve won a few games, but there is no reason to start thinking we’ve accomplished anything. We are in it for the long haul. Some of our tougher games have yet to be played, and we are working every day to get better.
That includes Shufford, who has played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ success.
“He’s a tremendous running back with the way he impacts the game,” White said. “Even in games when he doesn’t have those big yardage games, he forces the defense to focus on him, to overplay things, and that opens up other elements for us.”
Shufford almost didn’t come back for 2021. He initially hoped to play pro ball, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on those plans.
It wasn’t until August that everything fell into place for him to return. He had not taken part in additional spring practices and summer workouts after a shortened 2021 spring season in which Shufford only played in three games.
White admits he was a little concerned about Shufford coming back into the fold.
“He didn’t go through spring and summer, so I was worried how welcome that would be to the team if he came back,” White said. “I wasn’t going to have him come back if he wasn’t going to be the starter, but our seniors in the position group, and even the kid slated to start, were very welcoming. That speaks to Chris’ character and who he is as a teammate.”
Shufford noted there was only one place he wanted to be if he did return to school.
“I was really looking forward to playing at the next level, but I knew if I came back, it was going to be here. It’s home. I have great teammates,” Shufford said. “When I got it all figured out, I was excited and ready to get back and help the team.”
There was a time when football didn’t appear to be in the cards for Shufford.
He was diagnosed with Leukemia just two years into his life but had cancer beat a year later.
Even to this day, he still goes back to the children’s hospital in Alabama that helped get him healthy again.
“I know what those kids are going through and I try to make their day, make them happy,” Shufford said. “I also visit with some of the nurses that are still there that took care of me.”
That’s just one of the ways he tries to help others.
“I’m always willing to help the community,” Shufford said. “I’ve done work feeding the homeless, too. I thank God for everything he’s done for me. I have a home, a bed to sleep in and a car to drive. I want to help others get back on their feet because I know it’s not easy.”
On the field, Shufford grew up in a family that has several baseball players in it, and he loved pitching and catching when he played the sport. But football was always No. 1 in his book. He grew up wanting to be like former USC great Reggie Bush.
“I looked up to Reggie when I was younger and wanted to get on his level,” Shufford said. “One Christmas, I wanted Reggie Bush shoulder pads and I got them. I always felt I was just like him when I wore them.”
As he got older, Shufford attended various football camps, including one with Cam Akers, who is now with the Los Angeles Rams.
Playing at a 1A school, though, in an Alabama town (McKenzie) with less than 1,000 people didn’t make it easy to grab the attention of college coaches.
“Not many coaches stop by or have heard of my school. I would go to camps and people would ask me why I didn’t have any offers. Even Cam was shocked that I didn’t,” Shufford said. “I was definitely overlooked, but I’m happy I ended up at Birmingham-Southern.”
No one overlooks Shufford now. He’s established as a running back and believes his best is yet to come. Interestingly enough, even during that 2019 season when he dominated the opposition, Shufford wasn't perfect.
“That year was a statement year, but I feel like I can do better,” Shufford said. “If you go back and watch film from that season, there were plays where I shouldn’t have fallen, where I should have tried to stay up and turn the play into a longer run. There are small little things I want to get better at, and I feel like I have the potential to have a bigger year than I did two years ago.”
White is looking forward to seeing what Shufford and the rest of the team does moving forward. Having success comes down to one thing.
“It’s as simple as you have to execute every play,” White said. “One of my pet peeves is hearing coaches say we wanted it more, that our guys had more grit and heart. “I’ve never turned on the film and not seen enough heart. It’s always about execution. And now that we are getting into our SAA games, we’re facing better competition. We need to maintain what we’ve done, execute better and let chips fall where they may.”
Shufford is thankful he has a chance to help Birmingham-Southern contend for an SAA crown and plans to make the most of his opportunities.
“I have to give it all every chance I get,” Shufford said. “I have to go out every day looking to get better and make sure no regrets are left out there on the field.”
