merican Football Conference
ational Football Conference
Interview of Myles Wade from the Seattle Seahawks"Being humble is a discipline acquired by perseverance"
Myles Wade has not always had an easy road in life and Football but he finally makes it to an NFL Roster. Find out more about him through this inspirational interview.
FA.com: Myles, first of all congratulations, it appears you have just signed a contract with the Seahawks after spending part of the year on the practice squad. We are very happy for you and hope we can see you on the field next year ! Since we didn’t know much about you in France before starting to work on that interview, we studied your journey through Football and came away very impressed, your personal story is a moving, can you say a few words about it?
Myles Wade: I’ve grown to learn over the years that football is what I do; football is not what I am. My favorite sport growing up was basketball. My desire for the game came from my father and I shooting anywhere from three to four hundred jump shots a day when I was a kid. It didn’t matter if it was scorching hot, sub degree weather, or pouring down rain, we always put the work in. We would play basketball all hours into the night, even on schools nights. I got my discipline from my father. My father treated me like a man from the moment I could stand. I guess all I can say is, I wouldn’t trade that for anything. When you dream as a kid, every playground or grass field was a stadium in your imagination. If you can imagine, you can dream. And if you can dream, you can achieve.
FA.com: It's been a rocky road to the NFL, how did you manage to keep hope alive during the hard times?
Myles Wade: My journey in football matches no comparison to the journey that life has thrown at my family and myself. The most grueling thing in my life hasn’t been running in the heat of Texas or getting cut from the NFL for the first time. The most petrifying thing that I’ve done, was hold my mothers hand while she took her last breath, then hours later my father and I carry her down two flights of stairs in the snow. Carrying a body bag with my mother in it was the most demoralizing thing that I’ve done in my entire life. My father was always the leader of our family, but my mother was the bond that made our family whole. I looked to my father for leadership. My father was placed in a position to play a role that he never expected to be in. His ability to continually take life’s beatings day by day only made my skin thicker. My father is a realist; he’s never been the one to tell you something to make you feel good. He says what he means and he means what he says. For a man who never had a father growing up, he has truly mastered the art of parenthood. My sister and I did our part by letting our mother live through us for the sake of our father. My uncle Joe Rollins, who from day one has always been like a second father to me, has always provided endless support all the way from Houston, TX. Those two men brought me back to life from my own self-inflected negativity in doubting myself. My sister continued to look up to me, and my drive was to be the best for the people who’ve always truly had love for me. My faith in over the past few years has grown also. A scripture that I’ve been modeling my life by is (2 Corinthians 5:7), “For we walk by faith, not by sight”.
FA.com: I watched every Seahawks game this year and I feel like the organization really could use someone like you on the defensive line, what do you think is you biggest strength on the field?
Myles Wade: I think the best component in my style of play over the years has been my ability to finish. By finish I mean running to the ball, finishing tackles, and my hustle. I take pride in hustling to the ball carrier and finishing plays. Even if I can’t get to the ball, I’ll still run as if I’m arms reach. I know at this level, finishing can result in game changing plays that can help teams win games.
FA.com: There's an interview in which you compare yourself to Clubber Lang from Rocky III, now there's some kind of resemblance between both of you, you already got the beard but you might want to start rocking the mohawk too !! More seriously Seattle is a great fit for you, there's a bunch of players there playing at a very high level that were overlooked at first, guys like Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, etc.. .they came out of nowhere and are doing great now. Do you feel like you're the next in line?
Myles Wade: I’m confident that my skill will evolve during my stay in Seattle. I’m used to having the door slammed in my face so to speak, so I’m not afraid to work my way from the bottom. Taking the long route to the NFL definitely has brought a new appreciation to the game. I look at people who particularly weren’t drafted, like myself. I look at guys like James Harrison, John Randle, Priest Holmes, Arian Foster, Antonio Gates and others who had to take the long road to where they are now. Being humble is a discipline acquired by perseverance. Not only in the game must one be humble, but also in the realm of life we have to keep our composure during setbacks and success.
FA.com: Who are the players on the team that impress you the most? And who are those you are the closest to?
Myles Wade: I’m impressed with everyone. We are all here for a reason, although our roles on the team are different we all share the drive to win. The defensive line unit is great to be around. When it’s time to go to work they all do their part, and the defensive line coach does a great job on building and sustaining a positive morale in the unit.
FA.com: A few words about Russell Wilson...analysts everywhere were talking about how he was too short to be effective in the NFL but he came out and had one of the greatest season a rookie quarterbackQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. ever had...What do you see for him in the future?
Myles Wade: Russell has definitely proven himself in this league. He’s humble and is truly a leader on and off the field. He’s a vital member to our team and I’m personally looking forward to see him evolve into a quarterback that’s feared around the league.
FA.com: What about Marshawn Lynch, did you have a chance to tackle him yet? Is he as hard and painful as he looks on TV?
Myles Wade: Haven’t had a chance to tackle him, but his stature and running style is aggressive. I remember being in high school and watching him play in college, he can slash and juke, but his ability to run through defenders is very impressive. Obviously his run against the Saints is one of the best runs in the history of the NFL, and he’s liable to break loose at any given moment.
FA.com: Would you share with us what it's like to be an NFL player, what's your typical day during the season?
Myles Wade: Well, I was very fortunate enough to be signed during the NFL playoffs, so the days where short and precise. The Seahawks are a top-notch organization. Being away from the sport for about six months and for them to be patient enough to work with me was very reassuring. I’ll do whatever it takes to “Always Compete;” and to trust in my coaches to help me become the player I want to be. Although it’s a business, I do feel this organization does believe in me.
FA.com: As a gym enthusiast I was blown away by your combine numbers, how do you train, weightlifting and powerlifting movements or maybe some strongman stuff too? Also how much do you squat, bench and deadlift?
Myles Wade: I train at New Athlete in Vancouver, WA. It’s the most unorthodox training I’ve ever had. The style of workout is to train the whole body in every exercise. My range of motion, speed, agility, stamina and flexibility increased dramatically due to dedication and the training system that New Athlete provides. My friend and trainer Ryan Paul has done a tremendous job in evolving the performance in all levels of athletes from high school, college and professional sports.
FA.com: I read you're pretty well involved in Special Olympics ? How is your little sister Olyvia doing?
Myles Wade: I’m very involved in Special Olympics, this year I’ll be participating in the Polar Plunge, which is a fund raining benefit to profit Special Olympics in Oregon. It requires in jumping into a forty-degree river and running backRunning Back (RB)
Terme générique qui englobe les HB et les FBFullback (FB)
coureur puissant et polyvalent. Il joue le rôle de bloqueur, de receveur et de bulldozer balle en main. Constitue avec les halfbacks (HB), les running backs (RB).. out. It sounds simple, but the body tends to lock up from the temperature. I did it for the first time last year and it was a great experience. I also worked a lot with Special Olympics in high school. My sister is doing great. She’s a very happy person who is very easy going and always has a smile on her face. When our family was notified about my sister being born with Down Syndrome, we didn’t think twice about it. My mother would tell me that God made her with an extra chromosome because she’s extra special. My sister is one of a kind. She’s very unique. When I look at my sister I don’t see a disability, I see peace and happiness. I see a person full of joy with our mothers beautiful spirit. Society is so quick to put limitations on people when they view them from the outside, but my sisters’ future is limitless. She can be whatever she wants to be because she’s not afraid to be herself. I would like to encourage all families with children like my sister to just love and support them. I encourage all those families all over the world to free your children, brothers, sisters or whoever from the word “disabled”. Teach them to be free and be happy !
FA.com: Now I realize you're just getting into it, but what do you plan on doing after your football career?
Myles Wade: After my career I plan to teach at the high school level or continue to venture in the mental health field working with children and young adults. I received my Bachelors Degree from Texas Tech University in Human Development & Family Studies. I have also taken Graduate level work at Portland State University in Social Sciences & Teaching. I’m very fortunate to have my youth, so I’ll be able to think it over while I’m playing ball. The game of football doesn’t last forever, so my words to those out there who are aspiring athletes all over the world; trust in God, keep your inner circle tight with those who truly want to see you accomplish your dreams, and have integrity.
FA.com: Myles thank you for your time, Im glad I got to interview you and I sure hope next time we do that I will be asking you questions about how good it feels to be a starter on the defensive line of a Super Bowl-winning team !! Is there any mean to follow you through the internet?
Myles Wade: Thanks; I really do appreciate your interest in my journey. I do have a twitter (@Wade503). I would just like to say thank you to the people of France for getting to know me, and look for the Seahawks to do big things in 2013. God bless !