Q&A: Andersen on safe driving advocacy, injury rehab

BRADEN SHAW

Chronicle Staff Writer

Ever since the Montana Department of Transportation reached out three years ago, Troy Andersen has advocated for safe driving practices across the state in commercials and speaking engagements.

Andersen, a former Montana State linebacker and current player for the Atlanta Falcons, partnered with MDOT to speak with students at Beaverhead County High (Andersen’s alma mater in Dillon) Monday and Bozeman High and Gallatin High Tuesday. Buckle Up Blue for Lauryn founder Pat Goldhahn also shared his personal testimony of his daughter, Lauryn, who died after injuries suffered in a car accident in 2016. “We asked the kids (at Bozeman High) to raise their hand if they know somebody that’s been in a car wreck, and nearly everybody raised their hand,” Andersen said. “That’s not a great thing for our state.”

Along with safe driving advocacy, Andersen has been working his way back from a knee injury last season. He was initially injured in a game against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 29 — when he was named NFC defensive player of the week with 17 tackles and a pick-six — and was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 16. It’s the second season-ending injury for Andersen after a shoulder/ pectoral injury two games into the 2023 season.

After Tuesday’s event at Bozeman High, Andersen talked with local media about becoming a spokesperson for safe driving across the state, being back in Bozeman, his injury rehab and more.

NOTE: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: How did you get involved and what does this project mean to you?

Andersen: The department of transportation reached out and I’ve been partnering with them for three years now to just try to help safe driving in Montana. Obviously, we have open roads, and a lot of miles and distances between places and too many highway fatalities.

Just trying to get the word out. It’s obviously an easy partnership. Safe driving is something that everybody should be a part of and be able to rally behind.

Q: Do you have any personal connection to stories like (Goldhahn’s), or is this more just something you wanted to get involved with?

TA: I’m super fortunate. I don’t have any close friends or family that have been killed or significantly affected, but everybody knows people like that. We asked the kids to raise their hand if they know somebody that’s been in a car wreck, and nearly everybody raised their hand. That’s not a great thing for our state.

We’re trying to make it so it’s not that way. We want people to drive safely, be diligent behind the wheel, try to eliminate and lower those numbers for our state.

Q: What’s it like just being back in Bozeman?

TA: It’s great to be back in Bozeman. It’s great to be back in Montana. I love it here. It’s home, and it always will be. I get to see some familiar faces and family and the mountains and some snow. So it’s always good.

Q: The shirt you’re wearing, obviously the presentation (from Goldhahn). What did you think of that story?

TA: It’s such a powerful, powerful story. I got to know Pat a little bit yesterday after talking with him. It’s a terribly sad story, but it’s so powerful and impactful to hear and to listen to and to see his presentation.

It’s such a good reminder to buckle up because it’s something that takes two seconds or less than a second. But it can truly save lives. It’s awesome to get to know him and to partner with them.

Q: You mentioned driving from Great Falls back when you were in high school and you said it was kind of hairy. Was that just weather-wise?

TA: It was just late at night and after the state basketball tournament, so you never know what the weather was. I mean, slick roads, and I think it was fairly late. I was asleep in the back seat, but it was a swerve deal, kind of fishtail.

And if my dad was nodding off or not paying attention — if something would have gone wrong — luckily we were wearing our seat belts and everything was fine. But it’s just a reminder to make sure you’re paying attention behind the wheel.

Q: You’ve mentioned driving in Atlanta. What was the biggest surprise about driving around that area?

TA: Man, traffic. You guys think 19th is bad, see Atlanta, just anytime, going down to the airport or down to the stadium. You go 20 miles from the airport and it takes an hour and a half to get there. Just stop and go.

So I appreciate coming back here and hitting the open roads. But that is, like I said, that’s where you can kind of become, I don’t know, numb to it and let bad habits (take over). But yeah, Atlanta traffic is no joke.

Q: If there was one thing you

wanted the students here at Bozeman to walk away with today, what would that be?

TA: I think that their choices do have consequences, and such a little thing like putting on your seat belt can lead to drastic results, good and bad. Hopefully nobody here ever has to get in a car wreck.

But if they do, I hope that they’re wearing their seat belt, obeying the speed limit and nothing bad comes from it because of that. Those little choices lead to big things.

Q: What was the experience like doing those commercials for traffic safety?

TA: It was interesting. It was fun. The department of transportation team is awesome. The people that helped set that up were a lot of fun. (The commercials weren’t) my cup of tea. I don’t think I’m going to be an actor any time soon. But, yeah, some cheesy humor hopefully gets the message across. And people enjoyed them.

Q: How’s this offseason been for you? I know you’re coming back from an injury.

TA: It’s been a tough couple years with a couple injuries, but I’ve been feeling a lot better. Working through the rehab process and I’ve been working out here. I’ve been staying in Bozeman and working out and doing physical therapy here.

So I get some mental rehab as well as physical here. But yeah, I’m feeling all right, getting on track and looking forward to a good year.

Q: Suffering season-ending injuries back to back years, what

has that been like mentally for you?

TA: It’s tough. It’s tough when you know you can play at a high level, and you just have a couple hiccups. So you just kind of keep staying the course and stay diligent doing the work and eventually it’ll work out. I’m excited for this year.

Q: The last injury you had, it was when you won player of the week in the NFC. Obviously bittersweet, but how cool was that just to have a pick-six and to be doing all the things you did in that game?

TA: It was a lot of fun. That game was a good one until it wasn’t at the end. But yeah, it’s always fun to see your hard work come to fruition and have some success. I’m looking forward to getting back on the field.

Q: How long have you been in Montana? How long are you planning to stay here?

TA: I’ve been here since after the season ended. And then we start OTAs in a couple weeks, so I’ll head back down.

Q: What’s it like just being back in the Bobcat Athletic Complex and around Montana State’s campus?

TA: It’s fun to see some familiar faces. I know very few players now, and I don’t run into them a lot. But I can catch up with old coaches and strength staff and just people that I know and have built relationships with over the years. It’s a lot of fun to connect and hang out and chat with them.

Q: You’ve been with the Falcons a few years now. What has

that transition been like to the NFL?

TA: It’s been great. Obviously, I’m extremely blessed and lucky to be able to play in the NFL, and I appreciate it. It’s a job now. It’s not like you’re hanging out with your college buddies playing football.

So it’s a lot more work behind it, and a lot more time dedicated to football. But that’s how it should be. And it’s fun I get to play a kid’s game for a living. I don’t take that for granted.

Q: Have you taken (Falcons tight end) Kyle Pitts fly fishing yet?

TA: I haven’t. It’s on the docket. This OTAs, we might have to get that done.

Q: Seeing Daniel (Hardy) have success in the NFL and Ty (Okada), guys like that, and obviously some guys from the 2024 MSU team might be joining you, too. How cool has that been?

TA: It’s awesome to connect with them and see Ty on the opposite sideline and talk to Daniel and Lance (McCutcheon) and all those guys. It’s so fun to watch their careers and see how they’re doing. And, yeah, like you said, we’ll hopefully have a couple more here in a month or so.

Q: Did you watch MSU’s pro day

at all? Did you see Tommy Mellott’s 40-yard dash?

TA: I didn’t, but I knew he was going to run fast. He’s always been an insane, elite athlete. So I’m excited to see what happens with him and his future.