2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Walter McBride, DB, Saint Norbert College

• Name: Walter McBride
• Height: 6020
• Weight: 200
• Position: CB
• College: Saint Norbert College

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

•  I am from the Southside of Chicago, IL. I grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where there is a lot of history of the Great Migration. I love the fact that I live in a city with a lot of talent. There are many stories of success coming out of my city and people making something of their life, in a variety of ways.  

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

•  Film Study, Practice, Strength and Conditioning. Studying film is necessary in order for you to know what to expect from your opponent. If you don’t know what’s coming at you, you won’t be able to perform at a high level.  

What do you worry about, and why?

•  I’m always worried about being black in America, unfortunately. The acts of police brutality against black people have caused me to worry about living as a black man in America. I pray that this ends eventually and hope that I don’t lose anyone close to me because of this.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

•   After getting quality playing time my freshman year in college, I was at the bottom of the depth chart after spring ball because I also ran track. The following summer I was moved back to second string but gained the opportunity to start the second game of my sophomore season. After a bad game on my behalf, I was back to the second string. I realized that I wasn’t as good as I thought just because I played a lot the previous year. I decided that I was going to keep a positive mindset and keep grinding in order to get better and I was able to maintain a starting spot for the remainder of the season.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•   My teammates would say that my best quality is my personality. I’m the type of person who brings the energy on and off the field. I make sure that everyone around me has a positive mindset going into every game. Even when things aren’t going our way, I’m the one who brings the liveliness and motivation to everyone else around me.  

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

•  I would have to say WR Jacolby Maxwell from Aurora University. He has good footwork off the line and he’s a great route runner, with the ability to catch in tight coverage.  

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?

•   I would be a Graphic Designer. As a kid, I loved the idea of art. I wasn’t always the best at it but I started off sketching and once I entered college I was introduced to graphic design. Since then, I loved learning how to transfer my artwork to the computer.  

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

•  Definitely my room! I believe that in order to be successful, the first thing you have to do every morning is to make your bed. Since my room is the place where I start and end my day, it’s best that it’s clean. A clean room equals clear thoughts!  

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

•  I would definitely save my mom. I’m a mama’s boy at heart. She’s sacrificed so much for me to be where I am now. I would do everything in my power to make sure she’s safe.  

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

•  I would be Omar Epps as Mike in The Wood. His character in this movie relates to my upbringing. It also demonstrates the amount of humor I love to have in my life.   

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

•  Losing my dad at the age of 10 was probably the worst experience I’ve had. When that day occurred, it felt unreal. I never thought I could lose someone that close to me. That time was tough for the entire family and if it wasn’t for their endless support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. In addition, football was a way for me to cope with my dad’s passing. Whenever I was playing, the goal was to always make him proud especially since he loved sports.  

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•  My most embarrassing moment was boo-booing on myself in kindergarten. I woke up from a nap and had to go pick a book from my teacher’s desk. She instantly smelled me and made a whole scene in front of the classroom about it. All my classmates were laughing at me until the day I transferred.   

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

•  My most memorable play was trucking an offensive lineman from Monmouth College, on his team’s sideline. I wasn’t expecting that to be the result especially since Monmouth is known to have one of the biggest and aggressive offensive lines in the conference

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Overtime- Big Sean

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?

•   I believe a positive mindset is important to maintain. Without self-motivation, you won’t be able to accomplish anything. It’s all about fighting out those negative thoughts.   

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

•   I would bring back my pops. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish he was here. I would tell him how much I appreciate him being in my life while he was living.   

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it?

• Validity

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?

• Tre’Davious White

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•   I would rather be respected. Although I want people to like me for my personality, I want to earn the respect from everyone I encounter.   

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• I’d definitely say, Sean Taylor. He was one of the top safeties throughout his 4-year career before he was killed. It’s always unfortunate to hear about someone passing away especially when they had a lot going for themselves.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I hate to lose. I have always grown up with a competitive mindset. Regardless of the circumstance, losing is the last thing I’m trying to do. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

•  My mom is my biggest motivation. I see her get up day by day in order to provide for my sisters and myself. Doing this as a single mother wasn’t at all an easy task she still does it because she wants to see us succeed and believes in us. She does everything in her power to make sure we are good and reminds us every day to “Let nobody knock you off your square.”