GoRedbirds.com sat down with senior tight end Kedric Meredith and asked him to give Redbird Athletics fans an inside look into his life in the new feature series Through the Eyes Of .... The series will give an insider's perspective into the lives of many Redbird student-athletes throughout the coming months.
GoRedbirds.com: What made you choose to continue your football career at Illinois State?
Kedric Meredith: Illinois State is a great institution, educationally. I knew that I would have a good chance of getting a job after I graduated.
GR: What would you like to see the team improve upon this season?
KM: I would like to see improvement in consistency. One time we'll come out and look like the (Chicago) Bears, and the next time we come out, we'll look like some high school team. So we need to be more consistent.
GR: You are an instrumental part of the Redbird offense. What do you think makes the Redbirds' running game successful?
KM: We all work really well together. We zone block. One-on-one, players are sometimes not as good, but when we work together as a team and all move in sync, we can get a lot of good things done.
GR: You have been a member of the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll eight times. How do you manage being a successful student and athlete?GR: What are your personal goals for the 2008 season?
KM: Win a Missouri Valley Football Conference Championship.
KM: It takes a lot of studying and a lot of staying up late after practice.
GR: What advice would you give incoming freshman on how to be successful as a Redbird student-athlete?
KM: Stay focused. Make sure you have your priorities in order and understand what is important and what is not. Understand what works and what won't.
GR: Do you have any post-graduation plans?
KM: I took a job in Chicago. So if I'm not playing for the Bears, and Lovie Smith doesn't want me, then I'll start a regular 9-to-5 job, working doing advisory consulting for mergers and acquisitions transactions.
GR: What has been the most memorable moment of your football career?
KM: My most memorable moment was definitely going to the playoffs in 2007.
GR: Do you have any pregame rituals?
KM: No. I'm not superstitious, and I try to do that on purpose. I don't want to get superstitious and think I have to do the ritual at every game. I don't even think about anything like that.
GR: What is your favorite thing about playing for the Illinois State Redbirds?
KM: Just putting on the jersey and having the responsibility of representing Illinois State.
GR: If you could play on any NFL team, which would you choose?
KM: The Chicago Bears, just because it's the Bears. I like the Bears just because I like Chicago. If I could pick a team, it would definitely be the Bears.
GR: If you could play any other sport, which would you pick?
KM: I would probably play for the Chicago Cubs. If I could play a different spor, it would probably be baseball for the Cubs. I would like to be the DH (designated hitter), and if not, I would play first base.
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