It’s all Don Essig’s fault.
You see, Wesly Mallard was more than just a name before he became a Duck. He is a person. He has feelings. He’s an English major. An only child. A football player — and a good one at that. But that’s not why you know or like him.
For obvious reasons, Mallard is everyone’s favorite Duck. In case it wasn’t so obvious to you, a mallard is a “wild duck of the northern hemisphere that … is distinguished in the male by a greenish black head and neck, white collar, chestnut breast, grayish brown back, purple speculum and grayish white underparts.”
Mallard, the person, is more than that and none of that.
Chestnut breast? Don’t think so. Greenish black head and neck? Only with the helmet on, but that doesn’t count. Purple speculum? Are you kidding?
Instead of examining the person by his name, try to remember him by his faster-than-a-fox speed: He boasts a 4.34 second 40-yard dash, best of any linebacker in school history. 4.34!
How about his strength? Try 352 pounds of clean lift. Again, no predator in school history can match that.
Still not convinced? How about 39 — the person’s total tackles this season, second-best in the Pacific-10 Conference.
But since the senior outside linebacker is not complaining, perhaps Autzen Stadium will continue to erupt when Mr. Essig, the stadium announcer, bellows every time “our favorite Duck” makes another tackle.
“I think it’s just natural. It’s good that people are recognizing me,” Mallard said. “Before it was just my name, but hopefully my play on the field is enough for people to remember me now.”
One notable play that the person is no doubt remembered for is his vicious hit on Arizona’s Michael Jolivette at Autzen last season, when on punt coverage, the person knocked Jolivette’s helmet several feet into the air. In fact, the person’s special teams play during his first three years at Oregon is his claim to fame.
The former walk-on led the special teams unit with 22 tackles as a freshman, and after missing most of his sophomore campaign with a knee injury, Mallard recorded 26 tackles last season as a specialist and back-up linebacker.
Now, the man with the coincidental name is starring in a starter’s role.
“Wesly Mallard is the best outside linebacker in the Pac-10,” sophomore safety Keith Lewis said. “He’s the fastest, most physical player I’ve ever played with.”
The most improvement this season has come from Mallard’s mental preparation.
“Wesly is much improved,” head coach Mike Bellotti said. “He’s always had the physical tools, but he is spending more time as a student of the game, being able to prepare himself mentally to utilize his physical skills and the gifts he has. I’m very pleased with his progress.”
“Wes works hard on and off the field, all season,” Lewis said. “He’s very physically defined … and it will all pay off in the long run.”
Whether the “long run” is leading the Ducks to the Rose Bowl or entering the National Football League, Mallard is sure to be ready, in all aspects of his game, and remembered as a person.