Skip to content
Eagles
Link copied to clipboard

Father's tough love helped shape Eagles rookie Scott

When Charles Scott was a kid, doctors insisted that he needed to take Ritalin. He was hyperactive, never at ease.

Charles Scott might become the jack-of-all-trades running back the Eagles crave. (Tony Gutierrez/AP file photo)
Charles Scott might become the jack-of-all-trades running back the Eagles crave. (Tony Gutierrez/AP file photo)Read more

When Charles Scott was a kid, doctors insisted that he needed to take Ritalin. He was hyperactive, never at ease.

So much for that remedy. No drugs needed. Dad promised to handle the situation himself - and he did by giving his son a list of chores and taking him along on his truck-driving route.

When his son acted up, Charles Scott Sr. drove him deep into the Louisiana woods and threatened to leave him there. If Scott wanted to act like an animal, Dad said, he could live with the animals.

"He was scared to death!" Scott Sr. said yesterday, laughing. "But we would come back and he would act all right."

Such was the life in a military family for Scott Jr., now an Eagles rookie running back. Scott Sr. served in the Air Force from 1974 to '93. Raised in a tough-love environment, Scott Jr. might become the jack-of-all-trades running back the Eagles crave.

That's why the first of the Eagles' 13 draft picks to agree to terms - Scott inked a 4-year deal yesterday - vows he's ready to handle his new job. He'll do as he's told. In the age of specialization, Andy Reid's West Coast offense demands running backs to be weapons out of the backfield.

For Scott, versatility is the ticket to a roster spot. He admired how Brian Westbrook rarely came off the field.

"I remember him playing the whole game and them not having to switch out guys, not having to make special packages for special reasons," said Scott, who was drafted in the sixth round (200th overall). "One or two guys get it done."

As LSU's primary back, Scott was on track to becoming a much higher draft pick. He rushed for 1,174 yards with 18 touchdowns as a junior and then had 542 yards through nine games last fall before a broken collarbone ended his season. As a result, the 5-11, 238-pound Scott plummeted on draft day.

Beads of sweat pooled all over his face after yesterday's scorching session, Scott assured the injury is behind him and that his baptism to the Eagles' offense has been mostly free of potholes. The vending machine-built Scott got a potential appetizer of what lies ahead, catching multiple passes from the backup quarterbacks.

In high school, he played several positions. Even defensive back. And with the Tigers, he did a little bit of everything.

"Run, catch, block, whatever was needed to get the next yard," said Scott, who caught 12 passes as a junior. "I want to establish myself like that here and do whatever is called upon me."

After serving in the Air Force, Scott's father became a truck driver. That's where Scott Jr. spent most of his free time as a kid - sitting next to Dad, transporting paper products to mills within a 50-mile radius.

To Dad, daily life lessons were the best medicine for his high-strung son.

"I wanted to stay with him and just guide him," Scott Sr. said. "I didn't want to put him on any medication."

Accountability was demanded as far back as Scott Jr. can remember. If the lawn wasn't cut, punishment followed. Before he could even think about playing outside, the dog's dish better be full. The list of chores never ceased.

"I thank God for him every day because he instilled that in me early and that's how I am now," Scott Jr. said.

Behind LeSean McCoy and Mike Bell, you'd think Scott would need to stand out. Need to make that highlight-reel play that triggers a chorus of cheers from teammates on the sideline.

Don't hold your breath. That's not him, Scott said. He isn't flashy.

"But once I get on the field," Scott said, "I play with an attitude that shows up."