June 18, 2007
GoRedbirds.com:What are your goals and expectations for the upcoming season?
Kye Stewart: I expect the best from us. It expect us to start off by winning our first game, and hopefully wind up winning conference and get into the playoffs and be successful, and ultimately winning the national championship.
GR:You were selected from a pool of 1,300 top student-athletes to represent ISU at the annual NCAA Leadership Conference, LeaderSHAPE. What things did you learn from that experience that you can bring to the field this season?
KS: Well, not only did I learn more about leadership skills, but I learned more about myself and how to be more vocal as a leader. I think that I am one of those people that tends to lead by example, and I learned a little bit more about myself in that I can also be more vocal. Hopefully I can bring that to the team this year and we can be more successful.
GR: When did you know that you could be a leader?
KS: I don't think there was a specific time, but my parents would always tell me that I had leadership qualities, and I would just have to find them within myself. I think that when I realized how much potential I had as an athlete, that's when I thought I could be a leader and people would follow. So it really started when I began to play football.
GR: What was it like growing up in Nashville, which is known to be home to country music?
KS: It's not what everybody thinks it is. The perception is that it is a country town, with one gas station and country boots and cowboy hats as well as Wrangler jeans. But it's really not like that. It is a really nice city, I love it. I really enjoy going back home when I can, because it was just a really fun experience for me growing up.
GR: What is your favorite part about working at the Gap this summer?
KS: (Laughs) I would say meeting new people and getting to mingle as well as meeting girls.
GR: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at practice or the weight room?
KS: Playing video games, I'm a big Madden fan. So, when I get a chance I try to woop up on all my teammates. I also just like to hang out with the fellas, and I like to grill out when I get a chance too.
GR: Who's your favorite team to play with in your Madden battles?
KS: I can play with anybody...I mean, my skills are pretty impeccable. If I had to say a team right now, I would have to go with Jacksonville (Jaguars). Maurice Jones-Drew is a beast.
GR: What is playing right now in your cd player/iPod?
KS: I got a little bit of everything. Some of my teammates call me "Old School" because I listen to a whole lot of old music. My dad's a very old guy, so I got a little bit of everything, from Donny Hathaway, to T.I., to some local Nashville rap stars. I also like some jazz and blues...you name it and I like it, even a little bit of country too.
GR: Describe your biggest sports thrill while playing at Illinois State
KS: I would have to say was this past year when we played Southern Illinois on Homecoming...we had a real good game and we beat them pretty bad and I was named national player of the week. That was a good honor for me, so I would say that would be my biggest thrill of my career at ISU.
GR: What would be your perfect meal, from appetizer to dessert?
KS: I would probably start off with some wings. Then I would get a nice salad, and then hopefully I would be at Red Lobster so I could get some nice rolls and bread. I would then take a nice, big steak with a loaded potato and probably some vegatables before dessert. I'm not a big dessert fan because I eat so much, but if I did have dessert I would have to have a skillet cookie from Alexander's (Steakhouse).
GR: What was your favorite TV show growing up?
KS: Oh, that's a good question because I watched a lot of TV. I would have to say Family Matters because it was on during T.G.I.F. on ABC, and I would sit down with my aunts and all my family and watch it together. I would have to say that, or Saved By the Bell.
GR: What's your favorite sport to watch/play besides football?
KS: (Pauses) If I did have to watch a sport, I would like to watch some sort of martial arts. I'm a big martial arts fan, so if there is anything related to it on TV, I try to watch it. It's rarely on, so I will also watch some basketball.
So, are you a fan of UFC?
KS: A little bit, but that's a little too brutal for me. But I will watch it every once in a while.
You come from a line of dominant defensive players, especially at the linebacker position. What are your feelings about carrying on the tradition?
KS: There is a huge tradition here at ISU regarding the linebackers, and we have had a lot of good ones in the past few years with Boomer (Grigsby) and Cameron (Siskowic). We have had good players on the line as well, with (Brent) Hawkins. I would say it's a good tradition and I hope that I can continue it as someone who is a standout linebacker and represents the community and ISU really well.
GR: How did you get involved with scuba diving?
KS: My dad was a scuba diver and he started with my brother when I was six. I was always the one tagging along and I always wanted to do it but I was always too young. So my father told me that I should learn how to swim and that when I turned 12 that he would get me certified. So when I turned 12, I got certified and I have been diving since. I got into it pretty much from my brother and my dad.
GR: Describe your most exciting scuba diving experience
KS: After I got certified, my father's gift to me was to take me to Egypt. We got to dive the Red Sea, which is one of the world's best diving locations. That was my first dive in open water, and it was some of the best diving I've ever done. There was beautiful water, beautiful fish, great marine life, so it was obviously my best experience.
GR: Where would your dream vacation spot be, if all expenses were paid?
KS: I like that one. That's a good question...I would say Brazil, because they have some fine women over there. I've never been to South America.
GR: What is your favorite part about playing on the weak side?
KS: With playing weakside linebacker, you get a lot of opportunities with run throughs, and allows me to use my quickness and speed to make plays. I like being able to make exceptional plays.
GR: If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?
KS: Oh, who am I a big fan of? (pauses)...There is this one girl, she's married, but her name is Paula Patton. She is (R&B singer) Robin Thicke's wife and she is fine! I would date her. If it was a single woman, I would date Eva Mendes. She's fine!
GR: If you could give young football players advice, what would you tell them?
KS: Work hard, because hard work pays off. If you want to be good at football, hard work and dedication are the two most important things that it takes to be great.
