NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Kevin Dawson, LB, Tuskegee University

•       Name: Kevin Dawson

•       Height: 6’1    

•       Weight:227

•       Position: LB

•       College: Tuskegee University

•       Twitter: 1waykd

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
        • What I love about my hometown is how small it is. Everybody knows everybody also the appreciation of sports is amazing. The environment when I was coming up made me fall in love with my city even more. Having Florida State and FAMU right there was a plus also.

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
        • What I love about my hometown is how small it is. Everybody knows everybody also the appreciation of sports is amazing. The environment when I was coming up made me fall in love with my city even more. Having Florida State and FAMU right there was a plus also.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study,Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
        •  1. Film study 2. Strength and conditioning& 3. Practice

 I chose film study as the most important because you have to be a student of the game you can beat someone by playing strategic and watching film. This type of studying can help you break this down. Secondly, strength and conditioning because that’s the preparation to be able to execute and actually last an entire game physically. Third would be, practice this is where you just put it all together and the foundation for a great game also.

What do you worry about, and why?
        • I have no worries, I tend not to worry because it stresses me out. I just have faith in God and know what is for me is for me and just trust God in all processes.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
        • When I took my ACT I did horrible and it was very last minute so I didn’t have time to redeem myself. This was the reason I ended up having to go to junior college. I told myself I was never going to have a problem with my grades again this failure motivated me to have better study habits and take my academic serious and my grades projected that moving forward.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
        • I think my teammates would say I’m a great leader and motivator, I have a good grasp and love for the game.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
        • The best player I’ve ever played against in college is Taj Williams.

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 
        • Going to law school and become a defense attorney or a sports agent.

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
        I definitely clean my car first.

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
        • I would choose a family member because I would regret not saving them for the rest of my life.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
        • I would be Will Smith in his film Ali.      

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’vedealt with or overcome it?
        •  I think the biggest adversity I’ve faced inlife was losing my grandmother to breast cancer. She had so much influence onmy life and losing her was an emotional time in my life. I also had to bestrong for my mother and work through my emotions and not allow it to derail mefrom my goals. This lost taught me how delicate life is and how to appreciateevery moment in life especially with the people I love.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
        •  The most embarrassing moment was throwing up at lunch in middle school.  

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
        • My most memorable play would have to be my first interception, I’ll never forget that moment and how me just being a student of the game helped me predict the interception.    

What song best describes your work ethic?
        • Major Nine; Places you’ll go    

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

• Resiliently, this being a part of your character is what will set you apart from others. Be honest what is life without a fight and obstacles and up’s and downs? You have to be able to weather the storm and push past hard times. This applies to life and even to football.  

• If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
        • I would bring my grandmother back, just to show her that I did what I told her I was going to do and just enjoy her company and her cooking for a day.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 
        •  K’s Boom Boom room

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 
        • Ronnie Harrison    

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?
        • I would rather be respected I really don’t care about who likes me and who doesn’t everybody has their preferences. I can earn anyone’s respect just by off my character and respecting them.    

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
        • Rueben Foster, we both play the same position and I’ve always admired and been inspired by how he plays the game. It is just sad how his off-field situations keep resurfacing and distracting people from his talent.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
        • I love to win that the best feeling especiallywhen your hard work pays off. Losing is a part of the game and I never considerit a lost I consider it a lesson and a way to show me what I can do better.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
        • My mother& grandmother both have had the biggest influences on my life. I’ve seen them do amazing things since I could remember, and I admire their strength and wisdom. Also my girlfriend and son ( my new family) brought me a new joy that I never thought I would have they’re my reason or my why for all of this.