'He's kind of like our spirit animal': On the Justin Flowe you don't get to see
'He's kind of like our spirit animal': On the Justin Flowe you don't get to see
Oregon players dish on Justin Flowe’s motivational techniques, unmatched energy and peculiar living habits.
EUGENE — It seemed as though there’s nothing they’d rather discuss.
Thirty-two Oregon football players spoke at the program’s media day Wednesday. When asked about their teammate — the freakishly athletic, and sometimes irrationally energetic Justin Flowe — their faces came to life with awe-inspiring appreciation of his presence.
They’ll tell you he has no off switch. That what you see on social media is pure, unfiltered Flowe. But for 15 minutes on Wednesday morning inside Autzen Stadium’s club level, it seemed as though he found the switch. Flowe, who has played just two games in the last two years, was reserved, oozing modest confidence and an appreciation for the moment.
It seems the media was, for once, privy to something Flowe’s teammates haven’t been. Because while we’ve all yet to really get to know the former 5-star linebacker, Flowe’s teammates have been with him nearly every day for the last two years.
And frankly, they say there’s no one quite like Heem.
Safety Bryan Addison: My first encounter with him was kind of funny. I didn't know him as “Heem” at first. So he came in and introduced himself as “Heem.” So I'm like, What is “Heem?” and he's like, “That's me, The Heem Monster.”
Defensive back Trikweze Bridges: We all used to it now. It's Heem. Like, he’s called Heem. When he was putting his shoulder pads on for [a photo shoot] yesterday, everyone had their cameras out ready for him just like to amp up and be excited, just like do him.
Defensive lineman DJ Johnson: I'm taking a video of the cleats we got [at the photoshoot] and in the background, you hear Flowe screaming. I don't know what he was screaming about but he was just screaming… It’s not an act. People wondering if it’s an act, that’s just how he is.
Defensive tackle Popo Aumavae: Every time I come into the locker room, I hear someone screaming and I turn the corner and Flowe is flexing. I love the energy that kid brings.