Tyler "Tank" Whaley (official thread)

[iambrutus]

Originally Posted by Bestbuck36

[censored] Rudy. I'll take Tank Whaley anyday. Rudy didnt do half of what Tank has and is still doing. Go Tank, show em what ya got big boy!

hell yeah! Tank is a stud, hope he catches on and get a good job (as long as he is benched against the steelers )

[iluvsaddleclub]

Omg! Tyler and his entire family is hilarious! His mom is my mom's best friend and o my goddness when I talk to her she just makes me laugh non-stop! I've met Tyler a couple times and he isn't far behind her! For those of you that don't know Tyler is a possibility of the Cinncinati Bengals (sorry for spelling)! Go Tyler!!!!! 4ever!

[Buckskin86]

Whaley shows determination, confidence in recent interview
May 21, 2008
By BILLY BRUCE
The Lawrence Herald
CINCINNATI -- If you are tired of hearing about Tyler Whaley, you're reading the wrong article.

Whaley, Ironton's version of Rocky Balboa, recently received rave reviews from Cincinnati Bengals fans for his demeanor during a radio interview with WCKY of Cincinnati and sports deejay, Alan Cutler. Those who called into the Bengals' flagship station following Whaley's interview glowed almost as brightly as Cutler about the former Ironton and Ohio State football standout.

Whaley is currently attempting to make the cut as a fullback for the Bengals. Following an improbable rise to notability as a walk-on for the Buckeyes, this all-American dreamer is proving to everyone that self-confidence is the key to success in life.

Like Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, he has passion. But, Whaley's passion has distanced him from the Notre Dame icon. Whaley forced himself into a major role on a team that advanced to the last two national championship games. As a fullback, he was a major contributor in OSU's success on the gridiron last season.

Rudy's is a great story, but this one might be better.

Cutler repeatedly noted that he was rooting for Whaley to make the Bengals roster.

"He's a great kid," he said emphatically on numerous occasions, adding at one point, "That young man can change people's lives."

Whaley shows determination, confidence in recent interview - Huntington, WV -- The Herald-Dispatch

[osugrad21]

DDN

Bengals have a tiger in former Buckeye ?Tank?

By Chick Ludwig | Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 12:47 PM
MEET THE BENGALS? ?RUDY?
Just as Notre Dame had long-shot legend Daniel ?Rudy? Ruettiger, Ohio State had one of its own in Tyler ?Tank? Whaley.
And now ?Tank? is a Cincinnati Bengal ? of the non-drafted college free agent variety ? ready to bulldoze his way onto the field and into the hearts of Bengals fans, who are going to love this kid.
Ruettiger was the inspiration for the movie, ?Rudy,? and Whaley?s story is so inspiring that it has been made into a book that?s due out Sept. 1.
Authored by Columbus Dispatch Buckeyes beat writer Ken Gordon and published by Cardinal Publishers Group of Indianapolis (Cardinal Publishers Group - Publisher Services), the 150-page paperback details the life and times of Whaley, who grew up in Ironton, walked on at Ohio State, was finally awarded a scholarship and earned every nickel of it with his gritty, gutty, robust play.



Cont...

[Best Buckeye]

How can you not love this Buckeye. I take a special pleasure in seeing any kid achieve through walk on status. These kids are full blown "kick dirt in your eye" Buckeyes.

[shetuck]

Ironton Tribune: Whaley preparing for training camp

Whaley preparing for training camp

By Jim Walker/Tribune Sports Editor

Monday, July 21, 2008 11:10 AM EDT

COLUMBUS - It's easy to imagine Tyler Whaley listening to Alan Jackson singing a verse of the song "It's Five O'clock Somewhere."

And it's easy to imagine after hearing the verse that Whaley thought to himself, "Hey, he's talking about me."

The verse goes:

"I ain't had a day off in over a year
My Jamaican vacation?s gonna start right here.
If the phone?s for me
You can tell 'em I just sailed away."

Now instead of Jamaica the trip was with some friends to Cumberland, Ky. And it was a well-deserved break in his work routine.

"I got myself a little vacation before this little camp thing," Whaley said with a chuckle, referring to the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp that gets under way on Sunday.

"I haven't stopped working out. It's all I've been doing since before last (football) season. I've been working out 24-seven."

The 6-foot, 252-pound Whaley signed a free agent contract with the Bengals after a solid season last year sharing the fullback duties for Ohio State.

The former walk-on who earned a scholarship before his junior season was shifted from center last season to fullback and prove to be a punishing blocker. He caught the eye of the Bengal scouts at the Buckeyes' Senior Pro Day and has a Cincinnati official on the phone offering him a contract just as the April NFL draft ended.

cont'd...