LSU defensive backs Jessie Daniels and Jonathan Zenon have been playing football together since they were young.
In the state known as “The Sportsman’s Paradise,” the Breaux Bridge cousins take advantage of different outdoor activities.
“As country as we are, we love [football] and we play hard,” Daniels said. “We also love to do other things outside the sport to occupy our time. We like to fish, hunt, ride horses and things like that.”
Daniels said it is hard to find time to hunt during the season, but he goes as often as he can.
Living up to his nickname ‘Country,’ Daniels found time the day before LSU’s 19-17 victory over Arkansas – the win that clinched the Southeastern Conference West crown in 2005 – to duck hunt in the south Louisiana marshes.
“Duck hunting is my thing,” Daniels said. “I can’t wait until hunting season comes around, and I have time to do it. When we have something scheduled late, I go early in the mornings before meetings or school.”
Daniels said duck hunting really is not much different than playing safety because both sports require patience.
“You can’t make any sudden moves. I think it helps me play football better,” Daniels said. “Just like you have to have your eye on the duck, you have to have your eye on the ball.”
Zenon prefers riding horses in the open plains instead of taking aim at ducks in the swamp.
“We stay separate on our outdoor activities,” Zenon joked. “I don’t like hunting at all. I think he likes riding horses, but he would prefer going duck hunting.”
Elbe Davis, Zenon’s grandmother, said he was intoduced to horses by his grandfather.
“Jonathan’s grandfather has some racehorses,” Davis said. “He keeps them in a stable somewhere other than our house.”
Curly Davis, Zenon’s grandfather, said Zenon’s horse is named Grey Winter Breeze.
“I don’t know where that name came from,” said Curly Davis. “I have to keep it written down on a piece of paper just so I can remember it.”
Zenon said horseback riding has helped him with certain techniques as a cornerback.
“When you are riding horses, it keeps you low. Defensive backs are supposed to stay low,” Zenon said. “You have to get your hips low and ride the horse sturdy. A defensive back focuses on a person a lot like a rider focuses on a horse.”
Pick up a copy of Thursday’s print edition of The Daily Reveille to find out more about the Breaux Bridge cousins’ relationship.
—–Contact Matt Vines at [email protected]