Franchise ResourcesTwig, “I Want To Be The Best Ever!”
February 25, 2008
Whenever IFL all-star Quarterback Jason Hufford throws a touchdown pass for the Roscoe Rush, electricity runs through the stadium as the fans celebrate. What most fans do not notice or appreciate is the hard work and precision by which an offensive line operates. Every great passing attack starts up front with pass protection. That protection is dictated by the play of the offensive tackle responsible for the Quarterbacks blind side. In the case of The Roscoe Rush, that comes in the form of 6’5 300 lb Chris Terwilliger. Known throughout the IFL and affectionately by Rush fans as “Twig”. This IFL all star Left Tackle is the undisputed leader and anchor of an offensive line that has only allowed 4 sacks in the last three seasons.
Entering his 6th season with the Rush, it has been an experience Twig never thought he would get to enjoy. In 2003 “I was just out of college and wasn't sure if I was going to play” However, after Twig saw the Rush, which are owned by former college teammates Brian Kelly and Rob Feltner, suffer their first loss in their second game ever played. He knew he could be a difference maker, “I knew they needed me.” Since then, Twig has been key member of the Rush family. In 2004 Twig briefly retired and took on the role as Offensive Coordinator. However, in midst of a title run to the CMFL championship, the need to play returned. Twig left the sidelines and returned to the left tackle position he has now anchored for 45 consecutive starts.
Twig, is not only the anchor of the offensive line for one of the most explosive offenses in the IFL, but he is the team leader and coach on the field. Being voted team captain the last 4 years by his teammates is role he does not take lightly. “I have never thought of being a captain as a way to lead. If you are a leader you should lead and if you are a follower you should follow.” The respect Twig has earned from his teammates is no more apparent when he and Brian Kelly lead the Rush on to the field for pre game .This respect is at its peak right before kickoff. It comes in the form of Twigs’ boastful, loud pre-game speech, full of heart felt raw emotion which can be heard for blocks away. “I usually spend the week thinking of something to say, and then 30 seconds before kickoff, it all goes out the window.” For Twig, the natural high of the moment takes over. “I say what is on my mind to get me more pumped up. Hopefully the guys feed off that energy too.”
After a great career at Beloit Memorial High School under legendary coach John Heineke, Twig’s life took an unexpected turn and he left high school before graduating. “I was seventeen when my son was born, I had a decent job and wasn't thinking about school”. Leaving high school to support his family was a short term solution. The need to return to school was evident in Twig’s life. After earning his GED, he enrolled at Rock Valley College. With the return to school, along came the urge to return to the football field. Despite a 0-10 record his first year at Rock Valley, Twig forged some of the best and most enduring friendships of his life. His sophomore year was a different story. Despite modest success of his team, Twig earned All conference and all region honors and the opportunity to play at Beloit College. The transfer to Beloit for his junior year brought several great opportunities. It allowed him to be close to his family, play for Head Coach Ed DeGeorge and the unique unknown opportunity, to reunite with Andy Trice, his old high school offensive line coach and mentor.
“I called coach Trice to let him know I was playing for Beloit College next season.” Coach Trice’s response was something Twig did not expect. Coach said “Great, I just took the o-line job there yesterday”. This is where Twig became a better student of the game. He learned how to study film and gained a greater understanding of how the game is played. “I’ve been blessed from junior high to semi-pro with the coaches I have had.”
Just when things seemed to be going well for Twig, life attempted to derail him again. Before his senior season he lost his father. Twig’s greatest hero and role model lost his battle with cancer and diabetes. He played his senior season with a heavy heart, but also with great will. Missing his biggest supporter, a man who never missed a game was a huge emotional drain on him. “It was a rough season not having him there”. The emotions which Twig rode that season, playing in honor of his father's memory while grieving this great loss lead him to believe his playing days were soon over. “I was reluctant to play after college because I felt I may not have that sort of emotion pushing me.” That season he honored his father by being named all Midwest conference. He also started the tradition of wearing specialized cleats with his fathers name on them. A tradition that he still carries to this day.
The influence of his father is still with him today. His father always pushed him to be the best of his abilities, He once told me, “If you say that you are gonna do something, or be something, you better do it. If somebody tells you that they are better then you, you better get better and prove them wrong.” Twig has been proving people wrong his whole life. A message from his father along time ago still drives him to be the best linemen in the IFL. “I really feel like I am the best linemen in the league, I’m not trying to be cocky, I just feel that's how well I am playing right now.” Twig has been named to the all star team at every level and every league he has played. A status he says is very rewarding. “It’s an honor, and really one of the stats that I like. It’s in three different semi pro leagues, two different colleges and high school. So people cannot say there were favorites involved.”
Twig may be a team leader or someone people can look up to, but there is one young player whose attention he has. “My 13 year old son Andrew plays left tackle for McNeel Middle School.” Andrew’s team went undefeated and won their conference last season. “He sees how I play and wants to emulate that. I emulated Guys like Walter Payton and Dan Marino,” Then he adds, “Really who wants to be a lineman anyway?”
