On the Wave: More than Just a Game for Football's Marbley

Note: This story originally appeared in the Nov. 18 edition of Green Wave Illustrated for the Tulane vs. Houston football game.

Last week may have been the most memorable four-day period of Rae Juan Marbley's life.

On Nov. 8, he and his wife Haylee welcomed their daughter, Isla Rae Lanzas-Marbley, into the world. Just 72 hours later, Marbley and the Green Wave snapped a four-game skid in an overtime thriller on the road against East Carolina.

The proud new father played with heart, leading the team with 12 tackles, including a trio of crucial stops in overtime that helped complete a goal line stand to secure the Tulane victory. On top of everything else, he was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Last Saturday's victory was an inspired effort by the entire team, but for Marbley there was extra motivation.

"Ever since I found out we were having a girl, she and my wife have been my motivation for this whole season," Marbley said. "I have it in the back of my mind every game that I do have a wife and now a daughter to provide for. I just keeping focusing on them and working hard for them."

That commitment to his family has Marbley playing the best football of his collegiate career. The senior linebacker tops the team charts in multiple categories, distinguishing himself as one of the Green Wave's best defenders. Marbley leads the team with 80 total tackles, including 44 solo stops, and has a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss, along with a pair of sacks. Those numbers coupled with his dedicated work ethic have earned Marbley a leadership role among the team.

"It always starts with me being the quiet guy in the back, working hard, and people noticing it," said Marbley, who was recently voted as a permanent team captain along with fellow senior Dontrell Hilliard. "I think that's what happened here. I was behind Nico Marley, I accepted my role being behind him and I just did the best I could. I worked hard and people started noticing, and now it's my time to step forward and shine."

Marbley models himself and his leadership style after former NFL safety Ed Reed. Both hail from St. Rose, La., a town so small Marbley says, "blink twice and you'll miss it." Marbley sees a lot of himself in Reed and looks to emulate the qualities that Reed inspires in him.

"I've always looked up to Ed Reed," Marbley said. "He kind of has the same background as me. We came out of the same community and went to the same high school. He's got very good character, he works hard, he's humble, and kind of quiet. He also is a great leader. I feel like he's the perfect role model."

Marbley played four years at linebacker for Destrehan High School, but his football career began in middle school on the defensive line. A self-proclaimed band geek, Marbley decided to try football just to compete against his best friend who played for their rival. He found he had a real talent for the game and never stopped. Now a fourth-year veteran for the Green Wave, Marbley values football as a way to express himself.

"Football is a chance to honestly just be yourself within your pads instead of worrying about school and all that other stuff," Marbley said. "You can come out on Saturday for two, three hours and relax and have some fun with the guys that you work hard with."

Marbley has always cherished the way football can bring people together. The friendships he's made with his teammates have helped make his time at Tulane an experience he can look back on fondly.

"Some teammates and I were actually looking back at some pictures we had from freshmen year Mardi Gras," Marbley recalled with a smile. "One year all of us ran the McAlister Mile and we thought 'we're athletes, we'll be fine' and got smoked by everybody. My experience at Tulane has been amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Marbley is majoring in Homeland Security and expects to graduate in December. He plans to use his education to positively impact the lives of others.

"I've always felt like what I'm made to do in life is help people," Marbley said. "I want to look into emergency management, doing evacuation plans, hurricane plans and flood plans for New Orleans. But honestly, the first month after graduation I just want to chill out, enjoy life, and watch my little girl grow up."

On the Wave: More than Just a Game for Football's Marbley

Players Mentioned

Dontrell Hilliard

Rae Juan Marbley

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