Wortham senior running back Tanner Bean has had a tremendous career wearing number 11 on his back while bringing the Bulldog program from a struggling program to a contender. His quiet demeanor and leadership by example have put the Number 11 aside, now it is Number one, and climbing.
Bean came into the 2022 season needing two points and 779 yards to eclipse Wortham records that had stood almost undusted for nearly twenty years and the second for 33 seasons. On the first touchdown of the season in Kerens, Tanner walked his way to the top of the class with 302 points scored in his high school career. Damien Dixon had 298 points upon his final season at Wortham in the year 2000. Since then, he has become the first 400-point scorer in WHS history and on the next score will become the Bulldogs first and only 500-point scorer in school history.
The rushing record is one that has had some big names on it over the years such as Rickey Spence, Dixon, Michael Betts, Michael Thomas and Roderick Brooks leading the way for many seasons. On a 38-yard run against the Meridian Yellowjackets and took his place with over 3800 rushing yards in his career, passing Bulldog great Roderick Brooks and his senior season, which was in 1988. Over the last three games, each carry he gets adds to his own record and has become the schools first and only 4000-yard rusher in school history.
“Tanner has brough an attitude of toughness, grit, and determination to the bulldog program as a whole,” states head coach and athletic director Chad Coker. “He busts his tail in the weight room, on the field conditioning and through his effort in practice. He will not allow himself to be overworked.”
Bean would have accomplished these tasks much earlier had there not been an injury during a game last season that would cost him the final six games of 2021. Coker added, “Obviously, it crushed Tanner not to be able to be on the field helping his teammates, but he handled the adversity very well. Tanner is a strong Christian and I remember him telling me that this was all part of God’s plan and that he would overcome it.”
While the Bulldogs are in the midst of a special season, a playoff spot and a 7-2 record, Bean has not lost what the real objective of the Bulldogs is for this season. “It brings me joy to set records for the school, because the hard work is paying off,” added Bean, “but it does not change my focus of what this team is trying to accomplish.”
A look inside the numbers of Tanner Bean and the accomplishments. He has amassed 62 touchdowns rushing and five receiving and an eye popping 48 two-point conversions. He has over 500 carries and almost 4300 yards and he is not finished with one regular season game remaining against Dawson and the playoff games. Coach Coker added this about the humble Tanner Bean, “Coach Adams and I praised him (last Friday) on how hard he ran and the 200 rushing yards against top ranked Mart. He replied that he would have been happy with (-50) yards if it meant winning game. He is team minded and that is what makes truly special above his physical skills”
Some other records that have been broken are most rushing touchdowns in a career and most total touchdowns in a year. With now 65 total touchdowns and 62 rushing touchdowns, both marks break Michael Betts record of 48 for both categories in 1998, which was his final year as a Wortham Bulldog great offensive player.
Tanner Bean has just begun his life goals as he will complete a sparkling career in the Wortham Bulldog backfield. He has his sights set on a couple of other records in reach such as, touchdowns in a season, which is 31, and Bean currently has 25 rushing touchdowns and 27 totals scores for the season. Coker added this comment about his senior runner, “My goal for Tanner is to continue his career at the collegiate level. He would be a great asset to many programs across the country.
I am the reporter for the Freestone County Times and I have covered the Wortham Bulldogs for many years, but I am also the athletic historian for the Bulldog program and it has been my honor to type the players that wear blue and white over the years and I am humbled to watch a kid rip up the record books but only wants one total to continue to increase…the win total. That is Tanner Bean…Number 11 in your program but Number one in the record books…and he is NOT finished yet.
