If Los Angeles Rams fans aren’t in the mood for playoff football after Sunday’s Wild Card Round defeat, it’s more than understandable. Football is a cruel sport, and a one-point loss in such an emotional game is going to sting, no matter how much house money Los Angeles was supposed to be playing with.
For all the pain, this sport does a damn good job of giving its fans nice memories, too. Even if they aren’t connected to a championship. Who hasn’t tried to recreate former Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s one-handed catch or slinging the ball side-arm like Matthew Stafford? The shared experiences football provides bring people together.
Former Los Angeles receiver Tavon Austin is one and the same, bonding over football with his daughter. This week, Austin shared a video of himself sitting on the couch with his daughter, Ayva, watching one of the most famous highlight reels ever – his own.
Austin set college football on fire with the West Virginia Mountaineers. He was the most athletic player on the field in every game he played and was used as such. In his final season, he posted 1,289 receiving yards and 643 rushing yards, scoring 15 touchdowns. He added two more on special teams.
The mixtape, posted by 'dougitydog' on YouTube, is a decade old and has over 23 million views. It features almost 10 minutes' worth of electrifying highlights and left its mark on a generation of football fans.
Ayva Austin was – like millions of viewers – in awe of her father’s talents.
“Daddy’s really fast!” she said.
Beyond being a staple of so many fans’ childhoods, Austin is a reminder of how different environments can influence the trajectory of one’s career. The Rams made Austin a first-round pick in 2013, and in the years since, the game has changed dramatically. If Austin, who stands about 5-8, 185 pounds but ran a 4.34 40-yard dash, came into the league a half-decade later, the possibilities would be limitless.
The NFL has never been friendlier to small receivers who can make big plays. Austin topped out at 510 receiving yards in a season, spending the last four years of his career as a journeyman gadget receiver. A later start could have led to more production, but Austin’s impact on the game and its fans is undeniable.
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