Interview by Gainesville High School Senior, and Abernathy Cochran Intern John Jessup
Meet Jeremiah Telander! Jeremiah is a senior at Gainesville High School, where he plays linebacker for the Red Elephants. He recently committed to play football for the University of Tennessee!
Jeremiah said he thinks the Red Elephants have a good chance to win state this season.
“We just gotta keep getting better every week, focus on the game ahead of us and we can win state if we do that,” he said.
Jeremiah’s parents are Steve and Angie and he has a sister named Grace.
We want to thank Jeremiah for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and his love for Hall County.
Question: Tell us what you’re most excited about for the upcoming season?
Answer: “Just all the Friday nights with my boys. We put in a lot of work throughout the off season, and just finally being able to show our talents on Friday night and get a lot of wins.
“We just gotta keep getting better every week, focus on the game ahead of us and we can win state if we do that.”
Q: Are you excited to play for Tennessee?
A: “Very, very excited for Tennessee. I try to focus on senior year a little more just because you don’t get your senior year back, but I am super excited.”
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
A: “I live with my dad, Steve, during the week. He’s an insurance man, but he coached college football for 15 years. He actually played and coached the same position I play so he’s been a big help for me through this process. He played and coached at UMass and a couple of other schools. My mom, Angie, is a very sweet, hard working lady. She works at a nursing home. My sister, Grace, just went to Kennesaw State University and she’s been there a couple weeks.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Gainesville?
A: “Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden. Those are my go-to.“
Q: Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met here in the community?
A: “Coach Niblett I’d have to say. He brings so much energy to everything, A to Z, whether it’s football, schoolwork, or gospel at his house. It’s interesting to see somebody live that way.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I’d probably just go to California right now just to see what’s going on. I haven’t been there before.”
Q: What’s one of your favorite movies or TV shows?
A: “’Blindside’ is my favorite movie.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Don’t take things for granted. If you have a dream, work as hard as you can towards that dream, time flies really fast and you can’t get days back.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? And secondly, what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “I think it’s cool. You kind of get that small town vibe with a lot of people. There’s a lot of people involved in the community and I feel like there’s a really good community. Everybody knows each other.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “Hopefully, I will still be playing football in five years. I want to play football as long as I can and just be successful with my family, as well.”
Q: Who’s your favorite NFL team?
A: “The Kansas City Chiefs.”
Q: Who’s your favorite player of all time?
A: “Luke Keuchley or Ray Lewis.”
Q: What’s something on your bucket list?
A: “I want to travel. I feel like there’s a lot of cool stuff to see out there.”
Q: Who’s your favorite music artist or band?
A: “Zach Bryan is probably my favorite.”
Q: In hard times we can sometimes see and recognize greatness in those around us. Hardworking, positive attitudes, helping on the front lines. Who is one of our local shining lights today?
A: “Coach Stringer for me. He’s been around Gainesville for so long and he works with the linebackers. He’s just a great guy and he does all the little things for the community…and he’s been a big influence for me just to see how you need to be as a man.”
Q: What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?
A: “I went to Belize, Mexico one time and half of it was like the worst I’ve ever seen and the other half was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”
Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: “Christmas for sure.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out 10?
A: “Caramel frappe from McDonald’s.”
Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
A: “I’d have to play myself.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “My father. He’s done so much for me and I just want to give him my best and just let him see my journey and see how far I can go.”
