About Schmidt: Virginia's Brennan Schmidt kept his faith and it's paying off for the lineman

By: Dave Murphy

Posted: 9/15/05

Brennan Schmidt was filled with such a range of emotions leading up to his first game as a member of the Virginia Cavaliers, he had to see a psychologist just to get through the week.

"It was crazy for me," the senior defensive end said. "It's been a life-long dream to play college football, and I had to get control of my feelings."

Anyone who watches him today, though, would find it hard to believe Schmidt exhibited any anxiety. He's known as a player who calms his teammates rather than one who has a hard time controlling himself. Schmidt has been the rock of the Virginia defense since his first game against Colorado State, starting every game of his career and tallying 224 tackles, the seventh most in Virginia history.

Schmidt and the Cavaliers (1-0) will travel north to the Carrier Dome to face the Syracuse Orange (1-1, 0-1 Big East) at noon on Saturday.

"Brennan's one of the real beavers on the team," Virginia head coach Al Groh told the Cavalier Daily. "If any player wants a good example of how to go about it and really apply himself to the nth degree, whether you're a defensive and or wide receiver, Brennan Schmidt is a good guy to follow around."

As Groh noted, Schmidt is most valuable for his leadership. Schmidt started every game of his career and is in his second year as the captain of UVa. He's been called "a staple of the Cavalier defense" and a vigilant leader to the Virginia underclassmen. He has the reputation of never giving up, something that makes his father and former Southern California quarterback, Bob Schmidt, very proud.

"If you have heart, you can overcome," Bob Schmidt said of his son. "They can time your 40 and measure your vertical, but one thing they can't measure is your heart."

Schmidt has taken his father's words seriously throughout his football career. Growing up, Schmidt had Attention Deficit Disorder and was forced to change high schools three times in the hope of finding a school that would get him noticed by a respectable Division I football program. Oddly enough, Schmidt didn't get his first recruiting call until after his senior season of high school football.

Virginia's Groh found a gem in Schmidt, though, especially for his 3-4 defense, a scheme that is rarely used in college football. According to Schmidt, making the 3-4 successful takes dedication. He works hard to give his teammates the inspiration to make the defensive scheme work to perfection.

"I try to set an example for the rest of the players," Schmidt said. "We've got guys that are really dedicated to learning our defense, and that gives us an advantage."

Most fans know of Schmidt's heart on the field, but few know of his compassion off it. With the help of his family, Schmidt devotes his life to serving those less fortunate in an effort to give back the blessings he's received.

While in high school, Schmidt spent time volunteering for numerous charities at home and abroad. He worked for the Tuloy Foundation for street children in Asia and the Vince Lombardi Foundation for cancer research, which his father helped to create.

While growing up, Schmidt and his siblings had the rare opportunity to go on international business trips with their father's broadband technology firm. In the Philippines, Schmidt utilized his knowledge of football and strength conditioning and coordinated with local priests to create a weight-training program for homeless children.

"Brennan has always been a guy who is interested in people," Bob Schmidt said. "When we were in the former Soviet Union, he'd always talk to people and introduce me to people he met there."

Schmidt's desire to help others stems from his religious roots, which guide him on and off the field. Bob Schmidt likes to say that his family is a group of "Christians that belong to the Catholic club." They believe that it's one's spiritual core and his relationship with his maker is what's important.

"(Religion) is my greatest motivator," Schmidt said. "Football gives me the chance to show what God has blessed me with."

Schmidt's Christianity and dedication to his sport were two of the key factors that helped him cross paths with Syracuse lacrosse player Nathan Kenney, who recently enrolled as a graduate student at SU.

"If I was playing lacrosse, I would play like Nathan Kenney," Schmidt said. "If Nathan Kenney was playing football, he would play like me."

The friends pride themselves on their work ethic and devotion to their respective sports, and Schmidt believes that is the main reason for their great friendship. Schmidt doubts Kenney will be rooting for the Cavaliers on Saturday now that he goes to Syracuse, but Kenney promised to wear his Brennan Schmidt No. 96 jersey to the game.

Unlike his first game against Colorado State, though, anxiety will be the last thing on Schmidt's mind when he steps onto the FieldTurf at the Carrier Dome. His devotion to the game, his family, his friends and his religion give him the strength he needs to persevere. His leadership and drive to succeed give the Cavaliers the inspiration to play their hardest and his service and compassion for others gives the less fortunate strength to live.

"My Dad taught (me and my brothers) to hustle and to work hard," Schmidt said. "I try to go out there and have no regrets. I give it all I have and play for all God has given me."

Schmidt has given back, but he's also had to overcome. After not getting a recruiting call until late in his senior year, he's proven himself to be a solid defensive end and one of the best leaders in Virginia football history. More importantly, he's proven the validity and importance of his father's advice:

"Never quit. Whenever you think you're done, do more."