OSU Football: WR Chris Lacy On What Motivates Him

For some players, their motivation to play the game of football comes only from aspiring to break records or score touchdowns, but for Oklahoma State wide receiver Chris Lacy, the determination he displays constantly comes from a desire to compete each and every day.

 "I'm very competitive," Lacy said, "So in everything I do, I'm trying to be the best and out there playing football I'm just trying to do something even better than the guy next to me did it."

Lacy's competitive nature is something that has been instilled in his makeup since he was a child first beginning to play football.

"I remember playing with my dad when I was younger and he would never let me win," Lacy said. "I always wanted to beat him and I feel like that built some competitiveness in me. As I got to my teenage years he couldn't beat me anymore and he started getting mad whenever I would beat him."

As Lacy began to taste his first success in finally beating his father, Chris, at the game he loved so much, the competition around the wideout continued to elevate. During his time at DeSoto High School, Lacy found himself constantly in a battle for playing time, something that still rings true today as he finds himself at OSU and amongst one of college football's deepest wide receiving corps.

"I've always been around good players and so I was always in a position battle," Lacy said. "Now I'm in another position battle, but I think that I'm competitive enough to keep fighting to earn that job."

Against Big 12 rival Texas last weekend, Lacy made the most of the opportunities he was presented as the Cowboy caught three balls for 52 yards, including a season-best 28-yard gain that ultimately led to an OSU field goal. Lacy was also heralded by head coach Mike Gundy for his efforts away from the ball on Saturday.

"Chris Lacy, in the last game (against Texas), was as impressive as any wide receiver that I've seen here at OSU in a very long time," Gundy said on Monday. "He reminded me of DeMarcus Conner, who used to just wear guys out (blocking downfield). And that's what Lacy did.

"That attitude is what he brings to the party. To have young men play like that when they aren't getting the football, that's pretty special to have as a football team."

For Lacy, his mind is already onto next week's matchup with Iowa State, but his focus is always on striving to get better each day.

"When I see somebody doing something better than me, it just shows me what I need to work on," Lacy said. "It just helps me become well-rounded as a receiver and gives me something I'm always working on. Being so competitive, I'm always trying to do something to the best of my ability."

"I try to give everything my all."

Lacy's competitive spirit has helped drive him to reach the highest levels of college football and he believes it will continue to help him as he moves forward.