“Karl Malone had a bad game, right Houston?”
Welcome to the world of John Stockton's oldest son. Where even on your best day as a Griz football player you're reminded about the guy who played point guard for the Utah Jazz and is recognized as one of the 50 best talents in NBA history.
“John just enjoys the game. I assume. He's pretty incognito. I don't know if you've ever seen him here. I never have.”
Houston, a Spokane product whose full name is John Houston Stockton IV, is in his third year with the Griz program. Hard to believe considering how quiet he's been.
But that's beginning to change for the redshirt sophomore generously listed at 5-foot-10. On Saturday Stockton formally introduced himself to Griz fans, using his point guard quickness to block a punt that set up a first-quarter touchdown.
Some may say the contribution was a long time coming. Others might look at it this way: Growing up privileged never stopped John Houston Stockton IV from developing strength of character that would make any father proud.
“That's probably the best I've felt on a football field,” he said. “Biggest play I've made on the biggest stage, so that was pretty exciting.
“To be honest, I can't really remember it all that well. I just remember getting pulled up off the pile by my teammates.”
That's the way dreams are sometimes.
Not the dreams of a boy who used to hang out with NBA stars in the Jazz locker room. And not the dreams of a Dream Teamer who figured his son would naturally follow in his athletic footsteps.
This is even better. This is a success story about a young man who chose his own path and stayed with it even when playing off his father's name at some other school seemed to make more sense.
“It's tough when you're going through the grind, working your way up through everything,” said Stockton, a four-sport standout in high school who garnered attention from college basketball scouts. “I wasn't anywhere close to the top of the depth charts last year. I got in once for a couple of plays against (Fort) Lewis State only because we were beating them pretty bad.
“But it's something I've done on the high school level as well, just sticking through it when things aren't going that well. I never thought of this as breaking free from my dad. I just wanted to play football because it's my favorite sport.”
No one was happier for Stockton Saturday than Hauck, who helped convince the reserve safety to stay at Montana.
“At times he's thought about going someplace else where he has a chance to be more in the mix as a full-time defensive player,” Hauck said. “We talked in August about that particular thing. I said, ‘You know, you're going to get a chance to play some in the special teams, and you've got to decide if that's worth it to you. We love you here.'
“And we loved him a lot today.”
Houston Stockton credits his father with teaching him a lot about life. He's proud of his family name, and happy his cousin, freshman Shawn Stockton, came to Montana to play basketball. Together they went out for dinner Saturday to celebrate.
By the same token, Houston Stockton likes the fact his name doesn't give him pull in Missoula. He wants to make his mark the hard way, and Saturday was a nice start.
“It makes a huge difference when you're able to get out on the field and help the team,” he said. “It's much more rewarding that way.
“I like special teams. You always know that if you do well, someone will notice and you can possibly get a chance later on at a starting position.”
Make that a well-earned chance, which is all Houston Stockton ever wanted.
Sports columnist Bill Speltz may be reached at 523-5255 or bill.speltz@lee.net.
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rob.leegoxsell.com wrote on Sep 22, 2008 8:15 AM: