The Details: Feeney Leaves Mark As A 'Passionate Guy'
November 18, 2015 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Travis Feeney can't fake emotion. For the senior, it is all or nothing.
Standing in a hallway near the visitor's locker room at Husky Stadium, with 500 watt lightbulbs illuminating his face for a photo, the linebacker tried to recreate the pose he strikes after a big play.
But, to mimic those moments, Feeney needs the emotion to be authentic. So he started to shout.
“Let's gooooo!” he bellowed, his voice reverberating through the narrow space.
One of Washington's assistant coaches was giving a interview around the corner. During a pause between questions he asked, “Who is yelling?”
That would be Feeney, the passionate player who wants to be remembered by the emotion he brings to Washington's program.
With two regular season games left in his college career, Feeney's legacy has been built around pure passion.
“When I get the hit or get excited after a big play, I let it all out, just let my passion out,” Feeney said. “I try to show everybody how passionate I am about this game, how much I love it.”
The other day, Feeney found a quote from Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. He was talking about being grateful. One of the top talents in the NFL, Watt is a player Feeney follows closely.
“J.J. said he gives his best effort, leaves everything on the field because he knows there are people out there who wish they had the job that he has,” Feeney said. “He's getting paid to play football. He's getting paid to do something he loves, something he enjoys and would do for fun.”
Feeney doesn't play football for a potential payday in the NFL. Sure, it would be nice to continue his career at the next level, but Feeney feels fortunate for the five years he has spent with the Huskies.
“I'm getting to do it for fun right now, and getting school paid for,” he said. “I've been blessed. Every day, every game, I just try and give it my all.”
When he was younger, Feeney never planned on playing football. He was a baseball player. He started when he was 6. But, a few years after he started playing baseball, J.P., a family friend from Texas, suggested he try a different sport.
“I had a lot of anger issues,” Feeney said. “My dad's friend, J.P., said 'Why don't you get Travis into football? It will take out all the anger.”
It worked. Feeney found a sport that allowed him to channel his passion. But at the time, Feeney still believed his future was on a baseball field.
J.P. always told Feeney, “Watch boy, you're going to be a football player.”
“My mind was, I'm going to be a baseball player,” Feeney said.
Then in high school, when Feeney earned his scholarship offer from Washington, J.P. was there to say, “What did I tell you?”
“I guess you're right,” Feeney replied. “I'm going to be a football player.”
Long and lean with good speed coming out of Pinole Valley High School in California, Feeney arrived at Washington as a safety. He redshirted his first year.
The following season, with the Huskies looking for help at linebacker, Feeney switched positions. He used his length and aggression to earn honorable mention All-Pac-12. A standout contributor throughout his career, Feeney was once again asked to switch positions as a senior, moving to Buck linebacker and asked to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
“It's been crazy, a lot of changes,” he said. “Every year I'm at a new position, learning something new, playing closer to the line, or having to learn coverages or having to learn how to pass rush better.
“There's always something new, always something different, but it's always a good test. I guess I would say I like it, because it doesn't make it boring. It gives me something new to look forward to.”
By moving to a pass-rushing position, Feeney is “in it” all the time. He is “up close and personal” with the action. He revels in the opportunity to “battle in the trenches.”
In his new role, Feeney is second in the Pac-12 in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (14.5). And, with each play in the backfield, Feeney unleashes his signature celebration.
“This experience has been like no other,” he said. “I wouldn't take back anything if I had the chance.”
But, in his fifth year with Washington, Feeney's career comes down to the final few games.
“It doesn't hit you that it's your last season until right about now,” he said. “You just finally realize there are two games left – three, hopefully. It's a great feeling to know you've had this experience. I've been here for five years, five years with great guys and great family.”
With two games to play to get the Huskies into a bowl game, Feeney plans to make the most of each opportunity.
“This is life or death, sudden death,” Feeney said. “That's how we see it. These are two must-win games and we've just got to take them one game at a time. We're going to come at them hard and play as hard as we can.”
After a trip to Oregon State, Washington will honor its seniors in the Apple Cup. It will be one last chance for Feeney and his teammates to run out of the tunnel in uniform. It will be a special moment for each senior preparing for their final home game.
“It's going to be weird,” Feeney said. “It's going to be something special for me. It's going to be an emotional day. There's going to be a lot put into that game. I plan to leave everything out there, just leave my mark.”
Regardless of what happens the next two weeks, Feeney has already left his mark on the program. His passion for the game has provided an example for his younger teammates. He has passed down the emotion that has helped him become a captain and leader on the defense.
“I've always wanted to be remembered as a passionate guy, a guy who loves the game, an aggressive player, just somebody who loves his teammates, loves to have fun on that field,” Feeney said.
For Feeney the passion is pure. He can't fake it. The emotion must be authentic, even when he is asked to pose for a portrait.
