NFL

Snell juggles demands of work, family

As Shannon Snell competes for a roster spot in Minnesota, he works in visits to his wife and new twins in Tampa. Or is it the other way around?

By TIM SULLIVAN
Published August 27, 2005

Fatherhood and football are two significant parts of Shannon Snell's life. He wants to be great at both.

But both coming at the same time have become a challenge almost more than he can bear.

Snell, 23, a Hillsborough High graduate and former University of Florida offensive lineman, became the father of twins on July 29. The boy, Kaleb Ashton, and the girl, Madison Sierra, came early, nearly two months before the due date, and Snell was at the opening of Minnesota Vikings training camp in Mankato, Minn.

But his absence would be the least of his worries.

Kaleb and Madison were born seven weeks premature at Tampa's University Community Hospital. Madison weighed 4 pounds. Kaleb, who weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces, required surgery.

Suddenly, football didn't matter so much.

But as an undrafted second-year player fighting for a spot in the NFL, it had to matter.

Snell was torn, wanting to be with his family but knowing how tenuous his chance of making the team was. Vikings coach Mike Tice could sense it. He knew Snell needed some guidance, some direction.

"I wanted him home in Tampa. I wanted him to see his children, even though he didn't want to (go)," Tice said. "In a team meeting we had, we had to chase him out the door."

Snell was excused from practice for two days to visit wife Kim Brown and the newborns.

He felt guilty.

"I wanted to stay. But Coach told me to go ahead and go on home," Snell said. "He seriously made me go."

Blocking out the distractions, he returned and played in the preseason opener, a 27-16 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 12 in Minneapolis.

"As far as what's going on at home, listen, I just put it out of my mind when I'm on the field," Snell said. "I have to. I have to realize that I've got to make this team so my kids can eat."

Snell's challenge on the field is that he played guard in college and last year in NFL Europe, but Tice wants the 6-foot-2, 310-pound former All-American at tackle.

"It's tough. At first, it was real tough," said Snell, who played most of the second half during a 28-21 loss to the New York Jets on Aug. 19. "As far as the football, switching positions, it's an experience."

He was second on the depth chart at right tackle behind Mike Rosenthal, a Pro Bowl-caliber, six-year veteran.

Tice is sympathetic to the struggle Snell has been through, pulled between family obligations and the potential for a career that is both lifelong dream and bonanza for the family.

"He had to go home. We think it's very important, when we talk about family, if you have twins that you go home and see your kids," Tice said. "So, Shannon's had a tough couple of weeks. Back and forth. It's been rough for him."

Snell - whose father, Ray, also an offensive lineman, was a 1980 first-round pick of the Bucs and whose brother, Ray Jr., was a fullback for the Gators - is grateful for the chance.

Snell, named a first-team All-American by USA Today and Parade magazine as a senior at Hillsborough High, received an emotional boost when Madison, whose weight improved to 5 pounds, was sent home.

Kaleb is awaiting his second surgery.

"Yeah, it's not over. He's got to have another one," Snell said. "We have to go back in before Labor Day. Right now, we're just waiting to see what happens with him, see if everything turns out okay."

[Last modified August 27, 2005, 01:15:14]