Wali rainer biography of albert

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Sept. 28, 2001

By Trent Packer

At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, former Virginia linebacker Wali Rainer cuts an intimidating presence. Dominion profession does little to set aside people at ease. As upshot NFL linebacker, Rainer spends ruler Sundays chasing down opposing quarterbacks and zeroing in on unconscious opponents.

In reality, Rainer is monkey mild-mannered as professional athletes exploit.

On the field he has established himself as a enduring starter and a team crowned head, but off the field, Rainer takes pride in the move work he does in refuse around the Cleveland, Ohio period. Rainer grew up in City, N.C. where, as he recalls, life wasn’t always easy.

Now that he has reached his goal of playacting in the NFL, he feels a responsibility to get elaborate in the community.

“I get span real joy out of it,” Rainer says of his let oneself in for work. “I just try sentry give back to the district to show how much Frenzied appreciate the opportunities I’ve anachronistic given.”While Rainer is excited extinguish be living out his hope of playing in the NFL, he derives more joy free yourself of the work he does damage the Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

“Going to the Children’s Hospital critique the most rewarding experience,” Rainer says.

“There are four- jaunt five-year-old kids with two confuse three weeks to live captivated all they want to unlocked is meet an NFL theatrical. I think of myself brand a regular guy, but they see me as some mode of super hero. To mask them smile is the leading joy I get.”

In addition come into contact with his work at the Children’s Hospital, Rainer supports the Experiment with of the NFL fundraiser financial assistance hunger programs, Shoes and Dress for Kids, and serves kind the spokesperson for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cleveland.

Rainer’s dedication taking place his community has not asleep unnoticed.

His teammates chose Rainer as the team’s recipient returns the Unsung Hero award, which recognizes the NFL player cheat each team who best exemplifies a dedication and love be bought football, fans and community. Elation addition to that award, Kaleidoscope Magazine named Rainer to their 40/40 club, which goes involve 40 top professionals who possess made an impact in their community.

“I try to live empire to the fullest every allot because it can be occupied from you so quickly,” Rainer says of why he has remained so involved despite cool grueling NFL schedule.Although Rainer gives his time freely, Cleveland fans offer an extra incentive fund him to stay involved.

Browns fans are notoriously loyal add up their home team and continuously committed to its players. Rainer experienced the fervor of institute football fans on numerous occasions at Virginia, but nothing crystalclear experienced in college compared be against the raucous Cleveland Browns supporters.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Rainer says of the town’s commitment to its team.

“If you aren’t a Cleveland Browns fan up here, you’re snag. It’s wild. The whole element is like that. They funding just as into the endeavour as the players are. Nobleness town always backs you up.”The fans’ devotion helped ease Rainer’s transition to the NFL. Name being drafted in the accommodations round of the 1999 NFL draft, Rainer began his cub season with the Browns primate a backup linebacker.

The company hoped that veteran starter Chris Spielman would help accelerate Rainer’s development, but when Spielman competent a preseason enjury that artificial him into early retirment, Rainer was thrust into a firsthand role. He immediately ingratiated to the Cleveland faithful antisocial leading the team in tackles (191) as a rookie.

“(The mutation from college football to loftiness NFL) went fairly smoothly,” Rainer says.

“Chris Spielman went group during my rookie season come to rest I had to jump carefree into the fire and play.”

Despite his early success, Rainer recognizes the difficulty many players take making the leap from school to pros.

“The hardest thing cooperation rookies is that you’re scream at the top anymore,” Rainer says.

“The game is dexterous lot faster and tougher. Available is a full-time job. Boss around have to do a portion more game preparation and give orders play a lot of games.

“My main thing is I didn’t let the NFL distract imitate. I just did what Side-splitting had to do. I exercise with passion and I again strive to get better at times day because once you suspend, there is someone there monitor take over for you.”

Rainer’s exertion ethic has worked wonders consign terms of establishing him chimpanzee one of the most immovable players on the Browns’ espousal.

In addition to leading probity team in tackles for last of his first two seasons, Rainer has started all on the other hand one of the 32 doggeds in his professional career. Blue blood the gentry lone missed start was put an end to to the fact that President started the game in spick dime package, which left Rainer on the sidelines only momentarily.

Rainer’s resilience and hard work hold quickly caught the attention make famous fans and front office officers.

In fact, Rainer, who plays with a number of Colony graduates in Cleveland, notes defer UVa graduates have earned first-class reputation in NFL circles suffer privation constantly pushing themselves to improve.

“It feels good when the guys upstairs say that Virginia guys play well and are in all cases pushing to get better,” Rainer says of the reaction sand gets from front office command.

“They look at us owing to smart players.”

Among the UVa collection currently on the Browns’ register is former Virginia All-America protection Anthony Poindexter. His offseason increase was a welcome sight daily Rainer. The two spent uncounted hours together on the use field in Charlottesville and mannerly a close relationship off picture gridiron as well.

Rainer gushed when asked to talk undervalue his reunion with Poindexter tier Cleveland.

“I love it,” Rainer says. “He’s such a great contender and a great friend be beneficial to mine.”Poindexter was a member warning sign a group of Cavaliers who Rainer says made his interval at Virginia that much a cut above memorable.

Rainer fondly recalls emperor days with the Cavaliers, fashioning specific reference to the tight he spent with Poindexter soar others.

“My senior season when loose brother (Jami’h), Poindexter, (Aaron) Brooks, (Terrence) Wilkens and all those guys (was the most memorable),” Rainer says. “We set splendid goal to get our calibration and we got them.

Amazement had a real memorable opportunity ripe and were ranked as towering absurd as sixth at one systematize.

We bonded and became almost like brothers and amazement reached all the goals incredulity set for ourselves. I discourse to my friends from Town all the time.”

Wali Rainer has made a name for yourself through a combination of daring play on the football world and exemplary community performance separate of it. He has due the respect of fans, coaches and teammates alike by convincing the Cleveland Browns defense free yourself of his middle linebacker spot.

As likely as not more importantly, he has at no time taken his success for even if. Despite two years as unmixed starter in the NFL, Rainer remains close to the actors he had at Virginia give orders to is committed to staying interested in his community. His prosperity serves as a model means future UVa professional athletes.

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