2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Romeo Gunt, S, Portland State University
Student-Athlete Profile:
- Romeo Gunt
- Portland State University
- S
- 5’10”
- 190lbs.
- Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
- Twitter: @Gunt_Era
2019 Statistics:
- GP: 10
- Total Tackles: 52
- TFL: 4.0
- Sacks: 1.0
- QBH: 1
As an athlete, what is your motivation?
My motivation as an athlete is simple. I came from nothing. My parents came from nothing. I fell in love with football soon as my parents and I moved to the United States. Seeing everything they have sacrificed for my siblings and me during such hard times is something that always motivated me to be great with anything I do in life. Seeing the way they worked until they could not work anymore and still work was what build me to have an impossible mindset to break. My parents are my motivators.
What defines success for you?
Success is infinity for me. I say this because a regular person can set a goal for their-self and achieve the goal. They’ll be happy and say they’ve been successful but for a person like me I could never be satisfied even when I reach all my goals. There will always be more out there for me to get. Just because I achieve one goal doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m never satisfied. Life is to short to be satisfied.
What would your teammates say about the type of teammate you are?
What you see from me is what you get. My teammates could tell you that. I am one of the most passionate, strong-minded, and motivated people they’ve probably ever met in their lives. Everything about me is genuine and nothing I say or do that you have to second guess because of how strong-willed I am.
What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
Some rules that I never break are to always finish what I start, always staying true to myself, and never trying to become someone I’m not no matter where I am in life.
Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?
Throughout my college career, I don’t think there was a tough player I couldn’t handle but if I absolutely had to pick a tough situation that I had to fight through every day, it would be in junior college at Los Angeles Valley College. We had athletes at every position and practice was never easy. First, you had to fight for your position because everyone on the team was really good. Then you had to go up against people on your team but on the opposite side of the ball which was also very challenging.
Currently, who is the best player in the NFL?
Tyrann Mathieu is the best player in the NFL to period. Ever since I migrated to the United States and started playing football, there was a player that I’ve been following ever since he was in college. I watched all of his videos on YouTube almost 10 times each and still continue to watch him. I try to learn from why I see on his videos. I can relate to him 100%. The way he thinks and carries himself and is motivated is the same fire that I have in my heart for this sport.
What is your team of choice on Madden, why?
This is a tricky question because I don’t play video games and I don’t really favor a certain team. I favor players on specific teams but if I had to pick a favorite team it would be the Houston Texans just because of how aggressive their defense is. They play the game like it’s still college football. Their relentless, they have dogs on each level of the defense and they are very aggressive.
Failure is inevitable in life. How do you handle situations that don’t go in your favor?
I go into everything thinking I have way more to prove to myself then the standard that is set for me. So when it comes to failure. I welcome it because I know with everything that I have been through in life, nothing in this world can break me. I’m strong-minded and that’s what I value about myself the most.
Is there a current/former NFL player that you model your game after?
My former NFL role model was Sean Taylor and my current NFL role model is Tyrann Mathieu.
Knowing what you do now, what would you go back and tell yourself as a High-School Freshman?
Knowing what I know now I would go back and tell my self that I need to try to stay away from people who didn’t bring positivity into my life, that education was far more important than I thought, and that my life would be what I made it. That the people around me now would not be around me forever and they definitely didn’t want the best for me.
What is your go-to restaurant near campus?
My go-to restaurant that’s not too far from campus is Outback Steak house.
If your life was a book, what would its title be?
“Unbreakable.”
What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
I admit to everything I like but if there was an artist that people wouldn’t think I listen to it would be J. Cole.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone in the world it would be my deceased grandfather. It would make me really happy to talk to him again and get some more advice from him on life.
Forty-years from now, what do you want to be remembered for?
Forty years from now I want to be remembered as the kid who came from nothing and made something of himself. I want to be what kids in my neighborhood look up to and think about when they think of idols. Like Meek Mill, Kevin Hart and a lot of other role models for the everyday youth in Philly. I want kids to know there is hope in a place where you have nothing.
In 15 words or less, why should an NFL team invest in you?
My mindset is undeniable, my drive is unfound and I make everyone around me better.
