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Career Statistics
The 2005 Season: Has not played.
The 2004 Season: Saw limited playing time as a backup offensive guard.
Game-By-Game Statistics
The 2003 Season: Did not play in 2003 as a true freshman offensive lineman.
In High School: Outstanding football player and wrestler from Lindbergh High School in Washington ... Earned All-Seamont League honors as a defensive lineman during his junior season and as an offensive lineman following his senior year ... Seamont League Academic All-Star in 2001 and 2002 ... Won the league wrestling championship in the 275-pound weight class in 2001 ... AAA Region II wrestling champion in 2002 ... Placed sixth in the AAA Washington State meet in 2003 ... National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete finalist in '03 ... Earned 10 varsity letters in football, wrestling and track and field ... Lead trombone player in Lindbergh HS Jazz and Wind Ensembles.
Personal Information: Undeclared major.
Getting To Know: Merlin Brittenham
Nickname: What else... "The Magician."
I would describe myself as a person as: driven
What people don't know about me is: I played the trombone for 8 years, and I continue to listen to trombone jazz in my spare time.
The reason I love football is: After another long day of unexciting classes, I get to strap on my equipment and run myself into other people with reckless abandon. After that, I get to sit and eat good food with these same people. It's ridiculously cathartic.
I pattern my play after: Other extremely large human beings... perhaps Will Shields.
For me to improve as a person, I need to: Focus more on the things that I must do. Eliminate distractions.
My favorite pre-game ritual is: Listening to loud music and going through the plays in my head.
My greatest athletic moment is: My sophomore year in high school, beating a senior in the regional wrestling tournament to make it to the state tournament.
The biggest thrill in my life to date is: Being admitted to Stanford.
The teammate I admire the most is: Brian Head
My favorite stadium in which to play is: Stanford Stadium
The reason I chose Stanford University is: Great academics, great people, and the chance to play D-1 football.
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: That linear algebra is not nearly as easy as it sounds.
The best thing about Stanford is: The chance to be a great athlete and a great student
My favorite class at Stanford is: Math 51
My least favorite class at Stanford is: IHum
What sets Stanford apart from other college football programs? That the coaches push each player to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. We strive to be a strong program that represents itself well as individuals.
The sports team I followed when I was younger: The Mariners
When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be: Sadly, an O-Lineman, sometimes a Tight End
The athlete I admire most is: Lance Armstrong
The person I admire most is: My grandfather
If I could spend a day with anyone, it would be: Dave Grohl
The three people in history I admire most are: George Washington, Gandhi, FDR
Best book I have read: Foundation, by Isaac Asimov
Favorite food: Spinach Casserole.
Least Favorite food: Liver
If I had to cook all of my meals, I'd probably survive on: Steak and Spinach Casserole
Favorite movie: Snatch
Favorite TV show: Alias
Favorite actor: Edward Norton
Favorite actress: Rosario Dawson
If a movie were made of my life, I would have the following actor play me: Sean Connery
My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be: Blowing up a linebacker as the running back goes 90 yards for a touchdown.
Favorite musical group or performer: The Beastie Boys
If I were not playing college football, I would be: lighter and well-rested
After my Stanford career, I'd like to be remembered as: A hard working player.
The best advice I ever received was: Don't mess around with your life.
The person who had the greatest influence on my life: My dad
One moment in history I wish I could have seen: The Declaration of Independence
The place I'd most like to visit: New Zealand
The favorite place I've visited: France
Hobbies: Video games, competitive sleep, and hiking.
Ten years from now, I'd like to be: A successful lawyer in Seattle.
My advice to youngsters: Focus on what you want to be, and don't give up.
My most prized possession: My knees. They haven't fallen apart no matter how much I've abused them.
If I won $1 million, I would: Buy a nice car, travel to France for a month, and then give the rest to my parents.
The one thing about college football I would change: Add a daily nap period before practice.
Last Updated: March 1, 2006