Super Bowl Champ- Huntsville Lad To NFL Stardom
HUNTSVILLE- The memories of once playing pee-wee football for the Northern Bulldogs based at Huntsville’s Stoner Field still flash among the memory bank of one Trey Flowers. He also remembers playing one year of basketball at the Boys & Girls Club before he made the decision to stick with football, which turned out to be the correct choice as he has become a three-year player in the National Football League as a member of the New England Patriots.
The youngest of 10 children, Flowers had to almost fight to survive among his five brothers and four sisters as he was not the best athlete in the family. Many times he was last one chosen during sandlot games growing up off Plummer Road located just east of Madison in Northwest Huntsville.
“I had to learn to get tough and doing so made me a better athlete and stronger person,” said Flowers.
His progression from childhood to an adult is one of remarkable success. In just three years as a professional football player, the 25-year old Flowers has played in three consecutive Super Bowls winning championship rings in 2017 and most recently in the 2019 game where the 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive lineman helped the Patriots to a hard-fought 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
With all of his success, Flowers sometimes has to ask himself—is this for real?
“In some ways I’m the most successful in my family, but all of my family is successful in their own ways and it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be who I am,” said Flowers. “It was always my goal to make them proud. My success is their success.”
Flowers is a self-proclaimed “momma’s boy” as his mother still cooks for him whenever he visits home. Her guidance of his entire family in the spiritual front of their lives is where she was a huge influence on Flowers.
“She’s one of the most loving people walking on this earth as she’s had the love for me and has kept me humble through the years,” said Flowers of his mother. “She calls me all the time and still reminds me to say my prayers. In my eyes, she’s the biggest contributor to my success. My father made us work hard. My mother made us pray hard.”
After a successful two sport tenure at Columbia High school where he was a Class 4A first-team All-State pick, Flowers chose to attend the University of Arkansas as he indicated the Southeastern Conference came into the recruiting process late and was one of five schools to offer him a scholarship. He took the offer and was the first to sign a major scholarship at Columbia High. He said he always wanted to play in the SEC.
After four years with the Hogs, Flowers was a fourth round pick by the Patriots in the 2015 NFL Draft. He suffered a shoulder injury which kept him out of his rookie season, but has since made a name for himself racking up plenty of playing time for the Pats. This season he had 57 tackles and 7.5 sacks. His efforts were rewarded by being named Second Team NFL All Pro.
Flowers said he can remember receiving his first paycheck as a member of the Patriots. He was actually hurt and shocked by how much taxes took away from his check, but he did buy a new truck as a gift to himself.
For Flowers, the spot on a professional football team is actually his first job he’s ever held. “I never had to fill out tax forms and details about a 401K,” said Flowers, who did say he worked many years for his father who owned his own construction company. Flowers added, “All my life I was always helping my father. Even at eight years of age I was using a nail gun and hammer. We built homes and commercial properties and I assisted in every way possible. But it was never a job as most would think.”
Today, Flowers spends as much time as possible with his two daughters. One is six years old while the youngest is a mere three months old. He said he plans on raising his children much like his parents raised theirs. He wants them to work hard and be honest. “My father always made us go outside and play and not just sit around the house. He made us do pushups and run sprints up and down the street. With his direction we all had to be the best. He taught us to work hard.”
With two Super Bowl rings to his credit, Flowers is now more than ever being recognized by the general public. He’s gracious and always willing to sign autographs, especially for youngsters as he understands how others can have an impact on young people. He loves to strike up a conversation with young people about working hard and how that brings you success.
As for the recent Super Bowl victory, Flowers’ best memory of the event wasn’t before or during the game—it was after the game on the plane ride home for the team aboard the Patriots’ private jet. “Yes, we rehashed the game and came together as a team as the comradery is great with our team,” said Flowers. “Yes, we did drink some champagne and have a celebration. After all, it was a Super Bowl victory. How many can say that?”
