UW–Madison student Travian Blaylock is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sports leadership with the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. He is also a husband, father, and safety on UW–Madison’s Badger football team. Earlier this month, Blaylock spoke with the Wisconsin State Journal about his experience navigating school, football, and family.
“(It’s) never easy, but you find ways to push through,” Blaylock tells the State Journal. “Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything. That’s just what it is — you roll with the punches, just keep it moving.”
In addition to the challenges that come with fatherhood, Blaylock has also suffered multiple career-threatening injuries, he explains. But his love for football has allowed him to persevere through the difficulties and become the player he is today.
Maema Njongmeta, a linebacker on the team and one of Blaylock’s closest friends says, “I think he gets a lot of respect from a ton of guys in the locker room because of the way he’s carried himself… He’s never complained. The hardest part about injuries is sometimes you get negative — you’re away from the game, the thing you love. He’s never been like that. He’s always been a source of positivity, source of energy, light, joy to the guys. Comfort.”
Check out the full story to learn about how Blaylock met his wife in high school, his love of football, and how he manages his many roles.