Fresno State Athletics
Catching Up with Tom Brandstater
10/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2011
Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Rams
FRESNO, Calif. - Former Fresno State quarterback and current St. Louis Ram Tom Brandstater was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster on Oct. 22 and suited up for the Rams' game last Sunday at Dallas.
Brandstater played at Fresno State from 2004-08 and was a three-year starter. He threw for 6,857 yards and 47 touchdowns in his Bulldog career and ranks No. 6 in the school record books for career passing yards. Brandstater was the MVP of the 2007 Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, when he led the 'Dogs to a 40-28 win over Georgia Tech, and he was also voted the team MVP as a senior in 2008.
He started 34 games for Fresno State and had one of his best games as a senior against UCLA, leading Fresno State to an historic win over the Bruins in the Rose Bowl after throwing three touchdown passes. For his performance, Chevrolet made a $1,000 donation in his name to the general scholarship fund at Fresno State.
GoBulldogs.com recently caught up with Brandstater to see how he is doing in his third year in the National Football League.
GB: You were promoted to the active roster over the weekend and suited up for the game at Dallas. What was that experience like for you?
TB: "It was exciting and great for me personally, but as a team guy my activation meant we were going to be without our starter, Sam Bradford, who is a big part of what we do on offense."
GB: How have you enjoyed spending this season with the St. Louis Rams organization?
TB:"I have loved it so far. The coaching staff and organization is a very classy and professional group and that makes coming to "work" everyday much more enjoyable. Not to mention, I have been a Rams fan since I was a kid and it's been my dream to play in the NFL, and playing for my childhood team is icing on the cake."
GB: Tell us your path to the Rams after being drafted by the Broncos in 2009?
TB:"My path here has been a roller coaster with some high highs and some low lows. And it's been a long road too so here is the sped up version. Drafted by Denver in 2009, released and claimed by Indianapolis in June 2010, released and signed by Miami in October of 2010, released and claimed by Dallas in August of 2011, and then finally released after training camp and signed in St. Louis in September of 2011.
"It has been unnerving, but I do feel fortunate I've been through so much because I appreciate playing football more now than I ever have and that drives me to come to work every day with a smile on my face."
GB: What was draft day like for you when Denver selected you in the sixth round?
TB:"It was awesome! I had so many friends and family around me it really took the edge off and I could just enjoy the moment. There were some tense moments there, but it was a day I will never forget. I still see pictures on occasion and it was such a happy day for everyone that was there and I can't help but smile thinking about it now."
GB: What is your most memorable moment or moments from your time playing for the Bulldogs?
TB: "I get that question a lot and it's so hard to pick just one. I had so many great moments on the field, but what I remember most was the locker room atmosphere after my last game as a Bulldog. It was in New Mexico after a tough loss. I'll never forget hugging my teammates and thanking them for the years we spent together. It's hard to explain the bond you form with the guys you play with and then knowing we would all be going our separate ways afterward hit me as I took off those pads for the last time. And then something that will stick with me forever happened there, coach Dan Brown came up to me, looked me square in the eyes as he always did, and told me "thank you" and gave me a huge hug. It was so simple yet it was a moment I'll never forget."
GB: What was your educational experience like at Fresno State?
TB: "It was great. The faculty was a large part of me loving my experience at Fresno State. I had great teachers who were all unique, challenging and they inspired me to do good work. There were so many people who took an interest in my education and I can't thank them enough for helping me to attain my education. Wade and Jenelle Gilbert deserve special recognition for how they helped me. Going in to my final year I had my undergrad work completed and I could have coasted my way through, but the Gilbert's challenged me to go after a Master's degree and they laid out a plan as to how I could do it if I was willing to work. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was possible, but I was able to prove myself wrong and that is one of my proudest accomplishments."
GB: How closely are you able to follow Fresno State now that you are in the NFL?
TB: "I follow it very closely. There is a huge sense of pride and I love catching up with some of the guys still playing. Saturdays are our travel days so if I can't watch it, I track the play-by-play without fail."
GB: Do you and teammate/fellow Bulldog alum Stephen Spach talk Bulldog football much?
TB: "We do. Usually once a day we chat about the latest gossip going out with the 'Dogs and we always make our predictions for the upcoming game. It's fun to have someone to talk Bulldog Football who knows about an earlier period before I was there."
GB: What is it like living in St. Louis with the Cardinals playing in the World Series?
TB: "It has been a really cool experience. St Louis loves its sports and it's been fun to be around a championship team. Every conversation throughout the town makes mention of the Cards and my teammates and I have really begun to cheer for our hometown team as well. I went to Game 1 and it was my first Cardinal game, so it was a treat. It's a great venue and the atmosphere was even better. Then Coach Spagnola took the team to Game 3 in Dallas the night before our game against the Cowboys. It was a lot of fun!"
GB: What is your favorite NFL city to travel to?
TB:"That's tough. I've been to a lot, but I'd have to say Green Bay is pretty cool. Driving up to Lambeu Field for the first time was amazing. You're driving through a tiny neighborhood that has been there forever and just when you think you're totally lost, you come around the corner and there it is. It seems to be so out of place, yet it's charming. Then once inside it's a great field and the fans are fun so it makes for a great climate to play a football game."
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs are idle this weekend and return to the field on Nov. 5 when they host Louisiana Tech in a 7:30 p.m. game televised on ESPNU.
