The chant T.J. Duckett, T.J. Duckett has roared within Spartan Stadium countless times.
To the 70,000 fans who cheer in admiration every Saturday hes not just the Diesel.
Teammates and family admit hes one of the fiercest competitors theyve ever met, but theres also a soft side to the 6-foot-1, 249-pound Spartan running back.
T.J. is just a big teddy bear, said senior running back Little John Flowers. He might seem mean, but he is so nice - hes just a good guy to be around.
Hes a freak of nature on the field, but off the field hes just great.
And if anyone would know, its Flowers, a teammate and childhood friend of Ducketts since age 8.
Flowers remembers the days the two would play Sony PlayStations GameDay 94 at Ducketts house - which Duckett always won.
As a person and an athlete hes going to do great things - hes just special, Flowers said.
Ducketts brother, Tico, said his decision to remain at MSU or declare himself eligible for the NFL draft will be announced at a Thursday press conference.
Tico Duckett said his younger brother has weighed all the options.
It comes down to a business decision - what are his chances if he stays and what are his chances if he goes? Tico Duckett said. Its a gamble either way.
No matter which way Duckett goes, his brother is fully supportive and confident hell be a winner.
Hes always been a winner and he always wants to be the best at what he does, Tico Duckett said. Hes a winner no matter if its PlayStation or a pickup game.
Duckett is currently fifth all-time at MSU with 3,379 rushing yards, 1,508 yards shy of the all-time record held by Lorenzo White.
If Duckett returns hell have a shot at becoming the Spartans all-time leading rusher, surpassing his brother at second place in the process.
Tico Duckett said he wouldnt be jealous if his brother returned to pass him in the MSU record books. He said it would be a great accomplishment for the entire family.
Once were old and gray we can look at the record book and that would definitely mean a lot, Tico Duckett said. If he doesnt come back and break the record it would be a disappointment.
Sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker said regardless of Ducketts decision, hell always remember all the hard work he put in and how it always paid off.
One I always remember was against Penn State two years ago when he pulled that guy backwards into the end zone, Smoker said. Hes made so many great runs, and thats just one that sticks out in my mind.