University of North Carolina Athletics
Sp-oooooooo-n!!!
August 16, 1999 | Football
Aug. 16, 1999
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"I watched it growing up all the time," he says. "I get into it. I have the personality to do it. I would get paid to do the same stuff I do in the locker room-mess around and run my mouth. It would just be fun."
He doesn't have fun just in the locker room. Although his intensity and energy are higher and more focused, Spoon also tries to have fun on the football field. By his sophomore season, the Kenan Stadium faithful have noticed his strength and power and anointed him a fan favorite. After any Spoon tackle, the fans scream, "Sp-oooooooo-n!"
"I love it," Spoon says. "After the Stanford game, my mom said something about it and I thought she was messing with me. Then (former UNC All-America) Brian Simmons said something about it. "You hear them screaming your name. You have a fan club.' Then I started to listen for it.
"Last year, whenever I would do something the crowd would go wild. I just love it. It goes back to the pro-wrestling thing-play off the crowd. It's great to make the play, but then you get up and celebrate and you hear the crowd cheering for you, you feed off of it. You get so fired up. It's a rush."
Although his life on the football field has been full of successes, Spoon had to overcome a major obstacle in his personal life. In January 1998, Brandon's father, Tommy Spoon, passed away. The elder Spoon was Brandon's role model, best friend and high school coach.
"Since my dad's death, I have grown up a whole lot," he says. "Not that I was immature before, but when he died, I put everything in perspective. It really set me straight. It got me focused on my goals and what's important."
Spoon seems to be seeing things clearly. In April, he got engaged to his high school sweetheart, Abby Melvin. When he isn't training or studying for his business classes, Spoon enjoys playing video games with his roommate and teammate Allen Mogridge. He also tries to set a good example for children.
"There is so much they can get involved in that is bad," Spoon says. "There are some bad role models. If a kid looks up to me I am honored. That is one of the big things my dad taught me. No matter what you are doing, you never know who is watching you. There is always someone out there who admires you and looks up to you. You don't want to disappoint them."
Claire Stroup,
Media Relations Assistant
