DNVR Rugby Podcast: Colorado XO Lock Sam Phillips

Colton starts the show with “The Breakdown” by talking about the Colorado XOs’ 35-33 loss to Rugby HTX in Houston last weekend, their home opener against the Hartford Harpooners on Saturday, and some MLR news before previewing all of the rugby you can watch this weekend (0:00-9:54). After “The Breakdown”, Colton talks with Colorado XO lock Sam Phillips about his college football career, facing adversity, and how he’s enjoying a new sport (9:55-32:40). After the interview, Colton assigns some “Required Listening” and closes the show with “The Loop” (32:30-34:18).

Sam Phillips played tight end at Southwestern Oklahoma State University before transferring to Louisiana College to finish his college football career. Phillips’ was thrown a curveball during his senior season when NCAA eligibility issues prevented him from competing on the football field. He made the decision to train for the NFL draft and made the most out of invitations to D-III showcase games. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled his pro day and altered Phillips plans once again, and he was beginning to search for a teaching job before his friend and fellow lock Shawn Clark FaceTimed him and convinced him to give rugby a try.

Please send in any questions you have about the Colorado XOs, rugby in Colorado, Major League Rugby, or American rugby as a whole to @DNVR_Rugby and @coltonstrickler on Twitter or leave a comment below.

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