Cal Long Snapper David Bird Came Back To Be Part Of Something
The long snapper left for Alabama, learned something bigger than football, and returned to Berkeley ready to finish what he started.
David Bird started at Cal. He wanted to finish there too.
“I started with Cal. I wanted to finish with Cal. I have nothing but thanks for Alabama and what I did there and the people I met and how they shaped me into the person I am today. But Tosh is building something really special here and it’s rare that you’re able to be a part of the genesis of an elite program. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
The year at Alabama taught him something that had nothing to do with long snapping.
“It’s a lot about identity. I spent most of my life as a long snapper and that’s not a way to live. You can’t put your value in what you do as work. You put your value in yourself. I’m not a long snapper. I’m just somebody who long snaps. That was probably the biggest lesson I learned. It’s a game. Let’s be serious.”
When Lupoi made his case, Bird didn’t need much convincing.
“It’s really about our main pillars, like relentless effort. You see everybody is relentless about what they’re doing, no matter what. From Coach Tosh to our janitorial staff, we’re legit about what we’re doing. When you walk into his office and he gives you the recruiting speech, it’s like this guy really believes in it. If he believes in it, then why shouldn’t I?”
His relationship with special teams coordinator Zach Tinker goes back to his first stint at Cal, and that continuity mattered.
“I met Coach Tinker my first year here. He actually recruited me here. I trust him. He knows his stuff, he knows his scheme, and he knows how to coach people. Ready to work with him for sure.”
The kicking group has been a pleasant surprise.
“Everybody’s super focused on what we need to do, no animosity. It’s a great group. I’m seriously unequivocally blessed because it is an amazing group.”
Freshman Eric Peters, who is handling both punting and kicking despite never having punted before, has stood out.
“He’s been a dog. He’s a freshman and he’s taken it head on. He’s never punted before and now he’s getting in, taking reps and doing good. I’m super proud of him.”
Bird has NFL aspirations, and he knows Cal has a track record of producing long snappers who get there. Walking back into Berkeley with that in mind felt right.
“Berkeley is just a sick place. It’s hard not to fall in love with the Bay. There’s so much stuff to do here, so much nature. Just go out and explore, maximize your time here and maximize the relationships you’ll have here, because it’ll set you up for life.”