Safety writes poetry, self publishes own work
November 19, 2009 by FLETCHER PAGE
Filed under Sports
Redshirt freshman safety Makiri Pugh has recorded only one tackle this season.
But Pugh has compiled thousands of words into books of poetry – two of which having been self-published through the Internet.
“A really big part of my life is writing, other than just football,” he said. “I found out I could self-publish and I thought it would be interesting.”
The North Carolina native started writing at age 9 and continued honing his skills in his early teenage years. When he hit high school, Pugh was a star on the football field and just as productive when putting pen to paper.
“I love writing,” he said. “I have so much already written, but I’m still writing more. I probably have eight books from high school. I have two already published from college and six more I’m working on right now.”
Pugh’s latest book, entitled, “Just Another Hurdle,” details the trials and tribulations the young player has faced.
“That’s just some kind of motto I’ve had,” Pugh said. “Kind of like trials and when you have issues, it’s a hurdle you have to get over. I always say, ‘All things pass, whether it takes time or whether it’s now.’ That’s just kind of the whole idea. Each poem is a hurdle in a way or talking about an issue.”
Pugh said he draws from himself, but enjoys writing from others’ perspectives. One day he hopes to help others publish their work.
“One day I hope to have my own publishing company where I can publish artists,” he said. “Like my sister, she draws and she’s really good. I’d like to have a company where I could publish art and publish writing. That’s really a passion of mine. Writing is my passion.”
As for on the football field this season, Pugh works as a backup at safety and the nickel cornerback positions. He hasn’t seen the field as much as he envisioned entering the season, but with safety Bacarri Rambo out this weekend, he may get some action.
“It’s been kind of rough,” he said. “I’ve just been trying to keep a positive attitude, knowing I have a lot of games ahead of me. We’ll see how it goes. Just going to prepare, like I usually do. I’ll be ready, because playing is more of a reality.”
More NFL draft talk
And the NFL questions persist.
Tuesday night, junior safety Reshad Jones took his turn fielding inquiries as to his status for entering the NFL draft following this season.
Jones said he is “50/50″ right now, having gone through the same process last year.
“It’s kind of the same, but the most accurate way to make my decision is to send my grade in to the NFL advisory board,” Jones said. “I just have to see what prediction they have for me. I’m going to make my decision from that.”
In the past, Jones used advice from former Bulldogs currently playing in the NFL, such as Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis.
“[They said] just don’t base your decision off nobody else,” Jones said. “They said I’d know when I was ready mentally and physically and to make the smart decision for myself.”
As for if Jones was ready physically and mentally, he said he was, but isn’t giving any hints as to whether he will become a professional.
“I think being here at Georgia with a great coaching staff and developing my game for four years, I think I have made those strides,” he said.
