Catching up with Jake Funk

A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection who has accumulated 518 yards and nine touchdowns over 31 games played in a Maryland uniform, Jake Funk enters his senior campaign in College Park as a team leader who looks to have a productive 2020 season in the backfield. UMTerps.com caught up with Funk to talk about his quarantine, the issues surrounding our country and getting ready for the 2020 season.

How have you been staying in shape during the quarantine?

I had a few ways of staying in shape over the quarantine period. I would lift in one of my friends barn with my high school friends who all play college football. I would also rehab with my older brother at his physical therapy facility (Rehab 2 Perform) as well as getting into a regular running routine.

In September, @jakefunk34 tore his ACL

In March, he's getting that work in 😤#MAXIMIZEIT pic.twitter.com/r57h43qjey
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) March 24, 2020

What has been the most interesting/unique thing to come from one of the team or position group zoom calls?

The competition that erupted from our Friday Playbook Jeopardy games. My team ultimately won but it created a tremendous amount of competition throughout the whole offense.

Why did you think it was important to speak out as a team on the racial injustices going on in our country?

I think it is important for us to speak out because we have a platform to evoke and create change. The platform of a Division 1 athlete is amazing and we felt that we should use that platform in order to help push our country in the direction that it needs.

We are 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 in this.
We are built as one 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌.
We will be part of creating 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄. pic.twitter.com/2JsydxIeE2
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) June 12, 2020

Voting and helping others in the community register to vote and make it to the polls on election days seemed to be a big theme in the players statement. Why is that so important and how do you think the Maryland football team can make a big impact in that area?

Voting and helping others to vote is crucial for our team down the road. That is where change starts in my opinion. Electing the right individuals who actually want to make impacts in their communities and start change for many of Americans. As football players, we can make the impact by informing our communities as well as helping others get to the voting polls that normally wouldn't be able to get there.

Who was your NFL idol growing up?

Adrian Peterson. I watched him all the way through his college career as well as his NFL career and he is truly inspiring by the way he runs the football and has fought back from adversity throughout his career. Truly one of the All-Time greats at the running back position.

What show have you binged watched during the quarantine?

I was cruising through Ozark initially during quarantine and then transitioned to watching a lot of documentaries.

What have you missed the most about being in College Park?

The locker room and just being around the guys. You don't truly realize how much fun you have and how much you laugh in that locker room until it is taken away from you.

What makes you most excited about the 2020 team?

I think this 2020 team has a core of great leadership mixed with young energy that is up and coming for our program. I truly believe this team has the ability to be very special and begin to change this program for the better.

.@jakefunk34 wants to get back to his normal routine, but there are benefits to being stuck at home.

The biggest: The @TerpsFootball RB gets to spend time with his brother, @ArmyWP_Football's @jordan_funk33.#InTheirWords pic.twitter.com/sSPUFVPGQJ
— Maryland On BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) May 8, 2020

Players Mentioned

Jake Funk

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