JONESBORO (1/7/08) ? It doesn't take long when visiting Raiders.com, the official web site of the NFL's Oakland Raiders, to come across an article highlighting former ASU fullback Oren O'Neal's accomplishments on the field and his good deeds off it as a rookie member of the team in 2007.
O'Neal's success with the Raiders led the franchise, which drafted him with the 175th pick in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, to recognize him as its Rookie of the Year and nominate him for the NFL Man of the Year Award.
O'Neal has drawn praise from Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin and teammate and fellow fullback Justin Griffith.
In a recent article, Kiffin said, “We have given O'Neal a little bit more and a little bit more and every time he has taken it and really done a great job. It's fun to watch him play. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, opposing linebackers are not excited to go against him on the lead plays because he is so physical.”
“In years to come, this guy is going to be really good. I mean I see him as a Pro Bowler consistently, year in and year out,” Griffith said in the same article.
O'Neal is not only improving his game on the field but is helping to improve the lives of Bay area youth.
O'Neal recently visited Oakland Aviation High School and talked to students about the importance of education and following dreams to succeed in life. He also stopped by Palomares Elementary School to congratulate students on collecting emergency supplies for senior citizens.
Raiders.com author Samantha Scott noted that, after speaking to the children, O'Neal “signed every football, every piece of paper and took every photo that was requested of him. He made sure that all the kids knew how much they were appreciated.”
