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But, Coach Mason came in and changed the attitudes and expectations of Gopher football. I am very proud that I was part of transforming this program back into a winner. <br>Ben believes that hard work has gotten him where he is.  I ve used goal setting, says Ben.  Goals help you to stay focused. On a big day in the weight room or on the football field, I visualize being successful. I visualize beating the weight. I do the same in football by visualizing great execution. <br>The most inspirational person in Ben s life has been his father.  He has always been there for me, says Ben.  My father has been a good example. Ben s father was a former Minnesota Viking offensive lineman. He taught Ben well. Ben is the first offensive lineman to be named All-American since Outland Trophy winner Bobby Bell in 1962. <br>Ben red-shirted his first year and was a Scholar-Athlete winner. He started as a freshman in 1997 in all 12 games and was an All-Big Ten selection. The next year Ben was a pre-season honorable mention All-American. In addition to being a first team All-American last year, Ben was named the team s Paul Giel award winner, which honors the player who exhibits total unselfishness and most concern about the University of Minnesota. <br>One of the pre-season teams that Ben made was the Playboy All-American team. He turned them down.  My relationship with God is the most important thing in my life, explained Ben.  Turning down Playboy was hard because lineman don t get many honors. But I didn t want to give a mixed message. If you are a Christian, you should lead by example. <br>Ben leads by example in other areas. He doesn t smoke, chew or do drugs.  You can find that stuff, Ben says.  I ve just never wanted to try it. Ben carries a 3.2 GPA. He is never late to class. In fact, one of his traits is that he is always early. Ben has missed zero tests.<br> I don t miss things, says Ben.  You have to pay attention to time management. I have a day planner type of calendar. Besides, I really like my classes, especially math and my major. Ben will graduate in Civil Engineering and, after whatever happens in pro football, wants to manage construction projects. <br>Karon did not lift weights at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit.  Because, says Karon,  I was always in sports. I played three sports and I was naturally strong. Karon was All-State in both football and basketball. He also ran a 10.8 100 meters at 210 pounds. Karon carried a 3.65 GPA.<br>Karon never did drugs or drank alcohol in high school.  Never, exclaimed Karon!  I was petrified. I was scared to drink. A lot of my friends did. I was usually the mediator. Detroit is not a good place not to be sober. My uncle was a police officer and I learned that it was just not worth it. <br>Being in the  hood was part of Karon s everyday life while growing up. He gives the following advice to survive:  First, be aware and be smart. Second, be down to earth. Don t try to seem better than others. Third, be careful where you go and who you are with. You can be guilty by association. <br>Karon chose SMU to play football and made an immediate impact. He became a starter for the Mustangs at mid-season during his true freshman year. Karon also did well the following year but he wanted to be closer to home. Thus, a monumental decision was made. He transferred to Minnesota. However, according to NCAA rules, Karon sat out the first year, but was given the DefensOHV CM-N_TK,0 QB]j֞&d3O&Dq&%'B;t "UvaմKdT J|R԰`0["@I|}ɀf9T0s$ԶAWݒTK(VlRɼɕAE5|c<`x(L5jgb!Ҵh=% *$#2wbGd-CznS>7O޾d+CzoL*2-2r,jXN1N1e9 T߾U'UH'R氕9.ִC)_ U~Ib U!ڊZi0KmZu$CoN쨪HvŪzCJAC5NiPW3`ks Y9~6CSYTfz9O-Rѵ~ltK k&tIq;!.:wITjO&i)B