Franchise ResourcesRunning down the competition
As part of this season’s 15 year anniversary celebration, the Ironman Football League plans to showcase some of its past players, coaches, and team administrators who, throughout the history of the league, have helped mold the IFL into what it is today.
We start the showcase with a bruising, talented running back and three-time Ironbowl Champion, George Randolph.
George Randolph grew up between Kenosha and North Chicago, IL. As a child he used to love basketball and had very little interest in football until he watched a Chicago Bears game on TV.
That was the very first moment he caught a glimpse of the Bears great running back and future NFL Hall of Famer, Walter Payton. From that day on, Payton became his idol and Randolph was always on the lookout for a football pick up game to compete in.
“At that time I was always way too young for the older kids to take me serious when it came to letting me play tackle with them. Finally one day I got my chance to shine,” Randolph said.
Oh, and what a day that was! Randolph did everything he could to be just like his favorite player, the great number 34, Walter Payton, as he scored multiple touchdowns and even imitated Payton’s famous high stepping.
As a kid he continued to play into high school, where he attended Kenosha Bradford, and had a true opportunity to play both sides of the ball. Even though he loved to play the running back position, he became a standout on the defensive side of the ball.
After High School, Randolph had several opportunities to go to multiple different colleges throughout the country. Seeing that as a kid he had never really been too far away from his family or home, he decided to attend UW Madison. At Madison, Randolph was invited as a “Walk-On” to get a real taste of what the Division 1 level of organized football was like.
“All the training and summer practices were very intense and helped to truly build my mindset as an athlete. Unfortunately, I sputtered in class work and never got the grades to be all that I could truly be letting down myself and those around me,” Randolph said.
He continued to play and tryout on many different levels of the game. Finally, as he landed back in the Madison area, Randolph was introduced to the Ironman Football League.
A group of friends, Marlon “BLUE” Sprinkle in particular, from the Madison Seminoles came calling. Randolph came to play linebacker for the Seminoles that first season and was issued the number 7 because it was the only jersey number they had left that would fit him.
“The very first game as a Seminole I was asked to go in as running back for a few plays and I never looked back,” Randolph says.
Like Walter Payton, Randolph showcased his ability to out-finesse a defense by running in and around it. But, at the same time, he showed that he was not afraid to put his head down and punish defenders either. Randolph has been punishing defenses in the IFL for ten years and shows no signs of letting up. Despite being a ten year veteran, he still ranks as one of the league’s current top five running backs.
Since being with the Mustangs the past 3 seasons, George has been a bruising runner and a big part of the success of the Mustangs offense. After playing linebacker and goal line running back in 2007, George took his conditioning more seriously, dropped 50 pounds, and dedicated his training to be the Mustang’s full-time running back.
In 2008 he lead the Mustangs in rushing and rushing attempts and helped the Stangs win their first Ironbowl Championship. In 2009, George Randolph shared carries with running back Kyle Brodd. The two running backs complemented each other so well, forming a "Thunder - Lightning" tag-team, they both helping the Mustangs achieve IFL history with two undefeated Championship seasons.
George Randolph has been consistently one of the best running backs in the IFL, and arguably one of the best in IFL history. Randolph has earned All-Star honors at the running back position in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He is a three-time Ironbowl Champion and was awarded Co-League Most Valuable Player honors in 2005.
Madison Mustang Head Coach Adam Smith admits that having a running back with Randolph’s experience and ability makes a coach’s life a lot easier.
"He has been a work horse for us; a guy we lean on when we need tough yards, and he delivers!” Smith said. “George has accepted his role, taken advantage of it, and helped the Mustangs win two IFL Championships with one of the best offenses in the Country!"
While being interviewed, Randolph had this to say about the Ironman Football League:
“The IFL gives an opportunity for those who just aren't ready to give the game up and still have the drive to work hard and put their all into it. I’m truly happy that leagues like this exist. The commitment is great, but in the same sense it could be a lot more. If you live in the area and have the desire to play football, then the IFL is the league to play in. I have seen some of the goods and the bads with the league, but it has truly become a class act. We went from playing behind bars on not so good fields to riding team buses and playing in our own home stadiums. I truly would like to thank the league for all it has done to allow guys like myself to continue to play the game I love.”
