Fielder making his own path at Campbell
By Joi Palmore
MDJ Sports Writer
G rant Fielder plans to leave
his mark at Campbell.
“I want to leave here feeling
like I set something here, like
I made my name known at this
school,” he said.
Campbell coach Howie De-
Cristofaro, said the 6 -foot-2,
235-pound defensive lineman
will play a key role for the Spartans
KICKOFF ‘22 27
this season.
“I know the D-line plays a
big part in the defense so with
me playing that defensive end
position I j ust feel like that’s a
pretty big role in stopping the
passes and keeping the quarterbacks
from getting the deep
balls off,” Fielder said.
If the last name Fielder is familiar,
it’s because people have
probably watched his father and
older brother hit home runs in
the major leagues.
Fielder’s father, Cecil Fielder,
is a former professional baseball
player who played mainly for
Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers
and the New York Yankees.
He hit 319 home runs and was
part of the Yankees squad which
defeated the Atlanta Braves in
the 1996 World Series.
Fielder’s older brother is Prince
Fielder, who played with the
Milwaukee Brewers, the Tigers
and the Texas Rangers. Coincidentally,
he also hit 319 home
runs in the big leagues.
Although G rant Fielder chose
football, the wisdom and experiences
of his father and brother taught
him what it takes to be successful
in his craft. Fielder said his family
pushes him and ensures that
he gives his all in everything he
does. His work ethic was heavily
influenced by his family.
“If I want something I’m going
to go get it, and I feel like
that work ethic and will to keep
going when stuff gets hard sets
me apart (from other players),”
Fielder said.
He said he dabbled in baseball
and basketball but ultimately
decided football was where he
felt at home. He started playing
in eighth grade, and stuck
with it since then.
“I started playing football
and to be honest I j ust like the
violence, the contact, the physicality
kind of just stuck with
me,” he said.
Fielder had four sacks a year
ago, but has bigger plans for
2022. If he reaches them, the
Campbell defense can’t help but
improve as the year goes on.
“Hopefully, we’ll go out and
get some wins, that’s the No. 1
goal. I had four sacks last year,
I’m trying to get at least 10 this
year, that’s a goal I have personally
for myself,” said Fielder,
who has offers from Alabama
State, Stetson, Memphis, and
Chattanooga.
He has plans of continuing
his football career beyond college
however, he has a back
up plan. Fielder plans to maj
or in computer technology or
engineering in college.
“I like doing stuff with computers
but I also like doing stuff
hands on,” he said. “I took a few
engineering classes here and it
was something I really enjoyed
“Football is of course a plan
but if that doesnt work out I
kind of want to open up a tattoo
shop because I like to draw
and make concepts and ideas”.
In the five years Fielder has
been playing football, he said it
has taught him valuable life lessons.
He learned that hard work
gets things done and that nothing
good in life ever comes free.
“You don’t get handouts in
real life, and football definitely
taught me that you have to
work hard for everything you
got regardless of your family
status or what position you’re
in… you still got to go out there
and get it,” Fielder said.
DeCristofaro and Fielder have
big expectations.
“Stay tuned for the season,”
Fielder said.