Chances are, fans will never hear the name Chris LaBorde echoing over the PA system in Tiger Stadium.
In fact, the senior wide receiver for LSU has stepped on the field for only a handful of games.
But regardless of playing time, nothing can dash LaBorde’s dream of being a member of the LSU Tigers football team.
“When I first got here, I was happy to just be here and be around everyone,” LaBorde said. “But as a walk-on, to survive around here, you have to be a little crazy. You have to have aspirations to play even if it never happens.”
The Lafayette, Louisiana, native didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year at Westminster Christian Academy. After he broke his femur playing soccer, LaBorde decided he wanted to play football — a sport he always loved. But it wasn’t until his senior year that LaBorde fully developed his skillset and saw the kind of player he could be.
He knew he wanted to play football at the collegiate level, but he was late to the recruiting scene, and the offers were few and far between.
“Tulane kind of talked to me, but nothing really serious,” LaBorde said. “I tried to walk on at LSU in the summer before my freshman year, but it didn’t work out. I tried again during the fall of my freshman year, but again, nothing.”
After trying and being let down multiple times, LaBorde was ready to shelve the dream he’d had since he was a child. As a pre-med student, his workload was heavy and there wasn’t time for much else.
But LaBorde received an email in January 2012 that changed everything.
“I remember when I got the news. I was watching Oklahoma State in a bowl game, and the guys on TV were talking about a receiver who was a walk-on, and I thought it was so cool,” LaBorde said. “Then, I picked up my iPad and was messing around and saw an email from [Assistant Athletics Director Sam] Nader.”
In the email, Nader invited LaBorde to a team meeting for prospective scout team players. Soon after, LaBorde made the scout team and was officially a member of the LSU Tigers football program.
“I get chills just thinking about it,” LaBorde said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to go — I was kind of over football. But my brother said he would kill me if I didn’t, so I decided to give it a shot. It changed my life.”
He joined the Tigers for their spring practices, but with his course load on top of a Division I sport, it was difficult for LaBorde to manage his time and fully commit himself to both school and football.
But he wouldn’t let himself quit. LaBorde made a promise to himself that he would run out of the tunnel with the Tigers when they took the field against North Texas in their home opener on Sept. 1, 2012.
LaBorde got into a rhythm and became more comfortable each day. By the time the North Texas game came around, he’d found ways to balance his obligations and was finally able to live out a dream he’d had since he was 4 years old.
“I remember sitting there in the tunnel thinking, ‘I cannot believe this,’” LaBorde said. “You run out, and there’s no feeling like that in the world. Thousands of people wish they could experience that, and you’re one of 120 guys that gets to. I remember that I just sat there and soaked it in.”
LaBorde began to click with the system and the players and quickly made close friendships. He became good friends with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, who affectionately gave LaBorde the nickname “Snowflake.”
“When I first walked on, I was the only white receiver,” LaBorde said. “They said, ‘We need a little snowflake in the bunch,’ so it just kind of stuck.”
Although Beckham and Landry have since moved on to the NFL, the nickname has carried on. Now, even young players know LaBorde by this moniker.
“He’s embraced that nickname,” said freshman wide receiver John Diarse. “He’ll always be Snowflake to us.”
Not only has he embraced his nickname, but LaBorde has fully taken on his role with the team.
In practice, LaBorde regularly matches up against players like junior cornerback Jalen Collins and junior safety Jalen Mills. Although going against some of the best defensive backs in the country could be intimidating, LaBorde enjoys the challenge and makes the most of every play in practice.
“We talk trash to each other. We have fun with it,” LaBorde said. “It’s the best feeling in the world just knowing that if I school one of these guys, I’m schooling a world-class athlete. At the end of the day, it doesn’t mean anything, but I love being competitive.”
Though he likes to have fun with practice, he takes it seriously. Collins said LaBorde is unlike any squad player he’s seen before.
“He’s definitely a workhorse. He’s not your typical scout team guy,” Collins said. “I feel like he could go to any other school and be a part of their offense and contribute and help out. It’s always a challenge going up against him.”
LaBorde’s combination of lightheartedness and work ethic has made him one of the most respected members on the practice field and in the Tigers’ locker room. Players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball said they look up to him as a role model and as someone who can be considered the ultimate teammate.
Whenever he has a question about football or something off the field, Diarse said he can look to LaBorde for an answer.
“Ever since my first day coming in here, I’ve always seen Chris working,” Diarse said. “You never, never, never see him quit. He’s one of those guys you can turn to about anything. He’s been there for a while and he knows the system better than anyone. I really appreciate Chris.”
His work and dedication recently paid off with something he had dreamed of getting since he was a child but never imagined he would receive: a scholarship.
“When I walked into that room with coach Miles and got a scholarship from him, I lost it. I started crying,” LaBorde said. “That was probably one of the best moments of my life. It’s a big deal to be on scholarship at this university, especially as a walk-on. It kind of capped a lot of things for me over my college career and answered a lot of questions I had.”
LaBorde has his scholarship hanging on a wall in his bedroom as a symbol of where his hard work has brought him and where it can lead him in the future. Though his aspirations are of medical school and not the NFL, LaBorde said the support and encouragement he’s received from his family and friends throughout his football career is something he’ll never forget.
It has been nearly four years since LaBorde got the email from Nader asking him to try out for the practice squad. Even though three seasons of late nights, early mornings and hard work resulted in sitting on the bench, he said he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“I’ve learned that it’s not always going to be fair,” LaBorde said. “Things aren’t always going to work you like they’re supposed to. I’m so thankful for this sport. It sucks sometimes, but that’s life. You learn to love it and embrace the struggle. I have no doubt in my mind I’ll be a better man for it.”
You can reach Michael Haarala on Twitter @haarala_TDR.