Wiregrass alumni, Chris Faddoul, is making a name for himself in collegiate football at Florida A&M University. His strong leg and athleticism as a punter has him on track to be named All-American. Faddoul was named first team All-MEAC for punting this year and holds the record for highest punting average in a season at FAMU with 46.8 yards. He also holds FAMU’s record for longest punting average in a single game at 60 yards.

Faddoul has shown a passion for football ever since his days in flag football as a child. His transition into tackle football was very smooth, excelling all the way to high school football at the Ranch. Faddoul was considered a dual-threat Quarterback who threw for 1,045 yards and ran 477 yards in his high school career for the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls. He also had duties as the punter and kicker.

“Even though I have this passion for the sport, I would have to say that seeing how happy my father was watching me play, made me love it even more,” Faddoul claimed.

Ghassan Faddoul, competed in the 1976 Olympics for Lebanon in men’s long jump and javelin throw, highlighting Faddoul’s athletic genealogy. The fact that Chris Faddoul is part of a long tradition of athletics in his family only pushes him to work harder, the product being his success for the Rattlers. Faddoul attributes his competitive nature to his father and older brother who push him to put one hundred percent into all he does.

Throughout his time at the Ranch, Faddoul was seen as a prominent figure on campus, playing multiple sports and taking on leadership roles. He was captain of both the football and soccer team, as well as Special Olympics club President. Although football was his main sport and passion, Faddoul even excelled his senior year in Tennis. He went 15-0 and did not lose until the state tournament, helping the Bulls solidify their tennis program as a state powerhouse. Soccer and tennis coach, David Wilson, was thankful for the contributions that Faddoul made to the athletic program and Wiregrass Ranch.

“His whole attitude was contagious; his desire to get better and make people around him better and the positive attitude he had all the time was contagious,” Wilson proclaimed. “You wanted to be around him, you wanted to try harder, you wanted to work harder just because of watching him.”

On the field this year, FAMU ended their season with a 6-5 record, 5-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Faddoul punted 41 times for 1,920 yards and averaged 46.8 yards per punt, which impressively led the FCS in punting average. Faddoul has shown numerous times that he can transfer his soccer skills into pinning the Rattlers’ opponents inside their own 10. One of his impressive performances this season was against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, FAMU’s rival. Although the Rattlers lost 33-17 in their final game of the season, Faddoul averaged 53.5 yards on four punts. Faddoul had two punts over 60 yards that game, one for 67 and another for 65. 

This attitude of perseverance and hard work is a combination that has led to Faddoul’s success off the field as well. Faddoul is currently enrolled as a Chemistry major, with over 60 credits and maintaining a 4.0 GPA, which can be difficult as a collegiate-athlete. Focusing on his academics is a prominent goal in Faddoul’s life.

“Currently I am focusing on schoolwork first, because I am a student-athlete and I think that’s what every athlete should do,” Faddoul added. “Football will always come to an end even if I do get the opportunity to play in the NFL.”

With two years at FAMU under his belt, Faddoul looks to continue this great run as the Rattlers’ punter next season where the Rattlers hope to dominate the MEAC and FCS.

“Next season I plan on having fewer touchbacks and being more consistent,” Faddoul explained. “My goal is to be better than the standard I set for myself this season.”