Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
FEATURE: Brule Shaped by His City
September 25, 2020 | Football, HailStateBEAT
Many factors have gone into who Aaron Brule is today, including his family, friends the city he calls home
In most cases, you can point to a variety of reasons for a person's approach to life. Whether it be a group of friends that shaped them, a parent or relative that molded their way of thinking or a passion which forged an unwavering dedication, everyone has their influencers.
For Mississippi State sophomore linebacker Aaron Brule, you could say that each of those factors played a primary role in who he is today. From his parents and grandparents to his high school teammates and coaches, Brule's morals and attitude come from his supporters.
Hailing from one of the most diverse and culturally eccentric cities in America, Brule carries that trademark New Orleans accent, and he exudes the ideals that make the Crescent City one of the most hospitable travel destinations in the country.
"It's the culture that makes New Orleans special," said Brule. "It is an older city that was built [culturally] around coming together as one. West Bank or East Bank, everyone comes together for Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, really anything."
That all-for-one mentality and the people who he holds dear are the main reasons why he wants to succeed in football and eventually get back to the city that molded him.
"Living on both the West Bank and the East Bank, you encounter stories about kids and what they go through," said Brule. "I want to build a community center, or something like that. I want to help kids see that they can have better than what they're accustomed to."
Growing up in New Orleans, Brule experienced first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina – the 2005 storm that parts of New Orleans have never recovered from – and right there in the middle of it was his grandmother, Connie, a 22-year veteran of the Air Force. His grandfather, Chris, fought in Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart.
His mother, Christine Duplessis, was raised in the military household and now works with the United State Postal Service, and Brule credits her with providing him with his empathetic traits.
"She is always asking me how I am or what I need," Brule said. "She is ready to drive up here in a second if I need her. My mom is my soft spot."
His father, Albert Brule III, provided the tough love for his son.
"My dad is tough on me and has been since I was little," said Brule. "No matter what I do in my life, I don't see that changing. He has been driving me to the get where I am right now."
A safety during his prep career, Brule attended one of the traditional powers in the state of Louisiana in Archbishop Rummel High School. During his high school career, Brule kept a tight circle of friends, many of whom went on to play college football, including LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, whom Brule competed against regularly at practice.
"[At Rummel], We held ourselves to a higher standard," said Brule. "A lot of really good [athletes] come through our school, and a lot of guys get the chance to play at the next level. The expectation is high."
Now, as the group has spread out across the nation as student-athletes, they continue to pursue those high standards and stay in contact in order motivate one another to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them.
"We have a group message, and we talk about everything: community service, football, or anything we can do to give back [to our city] after football," said Brule.
Brule says that his time at Rummel playing for position coach Cordae Hankton, defensive coordinator Nick Monica and then-head coach, now athletic director Jay Roth kept him motivated and focused on bigger opportunities.
He credits that trio with molding their student-athletes into men and laying part of the foundation for where he is now.
"There are six or seven [Rummel football student-athletes] that went on to play college football and there are others just working towards their degrees," Brule said. "We just wanted to play ball and make each other better [in high school]. Now, we just want to see each other get to the top."
The top for Brule is ultimately the NFL, but he must first focus on his first season as a starting linebacker in the SEC. The third-year Bulldog is listed as the starter at WILL linebacker alongside senior Erroll Thompson and junior college transfer Tyrus Wheat.
A former three-star safety prospect from New Orleans, his motivation is simple: control his own course to get to the next level and then give back to the people and city which molded him.
"My motivation [is to get to the NFL]," said Brule, "but however far [football] takes me, I want to use the fruits of this opportunity to help all of the people back home."
For Mississippi State sophomore linebacker Aaron Brule, you could say that each of those factors played a primary role in who he is today. From his parents and grandparents to his high school teammates and coaches, Brule's morals and attitude come from his supporters.
Hailing from one of the most diverse and culturally eccentric cities in America, Brule carries that trademark New Orleans accent, and he exudes the ideals that make the Crescent City one of the most hospitable travel destinations in the country.
"It's the culture that makes New Orleans special," said Brule. "It is an older city that was built [culturally] around coming together as one. West Bank or East Bank, everyone comes together for Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, really anything."
That all-for-one mentality and the people who he holds dear are the main reasons why he wants to succeed in football and eventually get back to the city that molded him.
"Living on both the West Bank and the East Bank, you encounter stories about kids and what they go through," said Brule. "I want to build a community center, or something like that. I want to help kids see that they can have better than what they're accustomed to."
Growing up in New Orleans, Brule experienced first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina – the 2005 storm that parts of New Orleans have never recovered from – and right there in the middle of it was his grandmother, Connie, a 22-year veteran of the Air Force. His grandfather, Chris, fought in Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart.
His mother, Christine Duplessis, was raised in the military household and now works with the United State Postal Service, and Brule credits her with providing him with his empathetic traits.
"She is always asking me how I am or what I need," Brule said. "She is ready to drive up here in a second if I need her. My mom is my soft spot."
His father, Albert Brule III, provided the tough love for his son.
"My dad is tough on me and has been since I was little," said Brule. "No matter what I do in my life, I don't see that changing. He has been driving me to the get where I am right now."
A safety during his prep career, Brule attended one of the traditional powers in the state of Louisiana in Archbishop Rummel High School. During his high school career, Brule kept a tight circle of friends, many of whom went on to play college football, including LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, whom Brule competed against regularly at practice.
"[At Rummel], We held ourselves to a higher standard," said Brule. "A lot of really good [athletes] come through our school, and a lot of guys get the chance to play at the next level. The expectation is high."
Now, as the group has spread out across the nation as student-athletes, they continue to pursue those high standards and stay in contact in order motivate one another to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them.
"We have a group message, and we talk about everything: community service, football, or anything we can do to give back [to our city] after football," said Brule.
Brule says that his time at Rummel playing for position coach Cordae Hankton, defensive coordinator Nick Monica and then-head coach, now athletic director Jay Roth kept him motivated and focused on bigger opportunities.
He credits that trio with molding their student-athletes into men and laying part of the foundation for where he is now.
"There are six or seven [Rummel football student-athletes] that went on to play college football and there are others just working towards their degrees," Brule said. "We just wanted to play ball and make each other better [in high school]. Now, we just want to see each other get to the top."
The top for Brule is ultimately the NFL, but he must first focus on his first season as a starting linebacker in the SEC. The third-year Bulldog is listed as the starter at WILL linebacker alongside senior Erroll Thompson and junior college transfer Tyrus Wheat.
A former three-star safety prospect from New Orleans, his motivation is simple: control his own course to get to the next level and then give back to the people and city which molded him.
"My motivation [is to get to the NFL]," said Brule, "but however far [football] takes me, I want to use the fruits of this opportunity to help all of the people back home."
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