UNC star runner Hood interns for NC General Assembly
CHAPEL HILL (WTVD) -- Last season, Elijah Hood finished with the second-highest single-season rushing total in UNC history, but ahead of his junior campaign, the running back took on a new trail during this election season.
The Information Sciences major dipped his toe into politics this summer by serving an internship with the North Carolina General Assembly.
"I was pretty much studying the governmental system that they have there for the legislative processes that go hand and hand with making the laws and things like that," he said.
Hood turned down an opportunity in Washington D.C. for the internship in Raleigh to remain closer to his teammates. During his time, he says he did everything from helping with fiscal analysis to research and even completed his own project at the end of the internship. So balancing the workload was just another way the Eagle Scout with a 3.8 GPA continues to push himself off the gridiron.
"I've never been so hectic in my life," he said. "I had to wake up early in the morning, (put on) a suit and tie, drive over to Raleigh and then come back in the afternoons, change out of my suit and tie, (then) change into workout gear (for summer conditioning). The combination of mental and physical effort was pretty intense, but I enjoyed it a lot."
Hood's commitment and time management also impressed his UNC teammates.
"There's something inside of him that pushes him to be great in every aspect of life, whether it's on the field or in the classroom," said UNC starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky. "That really motivates us when he does those types of things and it's awesome to see."
WATCH: COULD WE SEE SENATOR HOOD ONE DAY?
While Hood hopes his next job is in the NFL, inquiring minds can't help but ask - could we also have a future Senator Hood on our hands?
"I don't know about Senator Elijah Hood," he said with a laugh. "(The internship) really opened my eyes to how complex things get when you talk about running a state."
He also added with a smile, "Picture what it's like to try to run a country."
