03-17-2024, 09:46 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-19-2024, 12:10 PM by wetwilleh. Edited 3 times in total.)
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2029 words.
75/25 split, majority goes to Willeh
SH: Good morning, good evening, and good afternoon to you all, my name is Preston Hefner, and we're coming to you live with another episode of the second-best sports show in the world, it's Shazam! with Preston Hefner. A new draft has graced the ISFL with their new prospects - however, we're taking a look at the developmental leagues, as always, and going around to highlight the new faces ready to shine and make a name for themselves, let them truly announce what they bring to a team. Today's guest is here to do exactly that - and he's already making a pretty big name for himself. Ladies and gentlemen, how about a warm welcome to Carolina's own, the Strong Man himself, and potential future number-one draft pick, Mister Willeh Strong (@wetwilleh)!
WS: How's it going everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here with you Preston. I see you've put on some muscle since we last spoke, keep on the grind man!
SH: Hey, man, Iowa was tough on me - the grind helped me out, and you gotta stay strong, y'know what I mean? Anyway, how are you? I know this isn't your first time ever doing a media stint as big as this - you made a pretty big name for yourself in Clemson, no?
WS: Haha I've been good, just staying busy and keeping up with workouts mostly. I've been on a couple other shows while at Clemson but this will be my first media appearance since entering the DSFL! Clemson was definitely an eye opener for me with how big the fanbase was but I managed to become a household name in little ole Clemson throughout my time playing there. I had a bit of a shaky start but I think I can be proud of where I ended up.
SH: I mean, shoot - the fact you ended up *here* only makes the grind much more stunning, no? Speaking of that grind, let's talk more about Clemson - or, rather, the road to it. You originally started up north in Charlotte, where you claimed the nickname of "The King" for your bonafide relentless style of play. Despite this, you revoked offers from hometown colleges in Chapel Hill, Duke and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, instead opting to go south and play for Clemson. Do you regret leaving home to play there, and what do you have to say to the hometown fans who still stuck with you throughout the way?
WS: I appreciate it, it really means a lot. I've always found that nickname to be funny being "The King of the Queen City" but I think it fits pretty nicely. It's actually one of the reasons I decided to go down south to Clemson. I wanted to make a name for myself somewhere new that wasn't *too* far from home but far enough that my hometown persona wouldn't follow me. I do regret the change of scenery sometimes but after experiencing what Clemson and its fans had to offer I couldn't be more happy. That decision to move changed everything for me in a good way. I had the diehard Clemson fans cheering me on as their star and my personal hometown fans and friends cheering me on for my personal success. I wish I had the time and opportunity to thank each one of them individually but hopefully I can get that message out to them through this show.
SH: I completely get it - I once got called something along the lines of "that one bearded bastard" for something in San Juan that got me kicked out for a year, but nevertheless, that's a story for another interview. Anyway, back to Clemson - your rookie year was a destabilizer, mainly due to the injury that plagued you. Despite that, you came back to become ranked on ESPN's end-of-year rankings as a tie for the title of number-one linebacker in your class, with two MVPs and three nattys to back your claim up. Do you think you'd get the top spot if it werent for injury, and how did that help spurn the process to be the best?
WS: Oh definitely. I still consider myself to be the number one linebacker of my class because I'm stronger but it is what it is. While I don't know how my rookie season would've played out, I can assume it would have shot me into the lead position but we can't turn back the clocks now can we? Getting injured was a blessing and a curse, it happened while working out funnily enough but I won't get into that. It made me take a step back for a minute and focus on my life off the field which helped me in the end I think. That period of not being pressured to perform allowed me to play my best the three years after and is easily the reason why I achieved the accolades I did. That would be my one tip to any younger player, step back and enjoy the ride every once in a while and don't make an injury be what forces you to realize that.
SH: Injuries can screw over any person, man - I’ve known a lotta people who got that type of bug, some are doing better than others, but the fact you’re still here is beautiful. Anyway, speaking of boards, I wanna talk about what the rest of the media has said, specifically the DSFL Big Board that came out a few days ago. The board lists you as “the top player in this season’s linebacker class”, with it also going on to list you as a possibility of being the first-overall selection. Several mock drafts also have you penned to go number one overall. My question is; do you believe you can live up to these expectations put upon you by the media, and how does the national spotlight put upon you make you feel?
WS: Yeah I've seen the mocks and big board that were released as well and I'm surprised to be honest. There are a lot of big names in this class at the linebacker position so it's an honor to be at the top. I think I've been active enough in the league and have put enough training in to make whichever team drafts me very happy but I'll leave it at that. I know I can live up to these high expectations but my words only have so much weight, I'll let my performance on the field speak for itself. Regarding the national spotlight, I love it, plain as that. Hearing my name thrown around in a good or bad way makes me want to work harder and to get even stronger so it's just fuel for me. I love the game and I think everyone is going to love getting to see me do my thing on the field.
SH: Speaking of those teams, you’ve been very vocal about your drafting process, including a social media post revolving around the scouts themselves. The personality around the Grey Ducks helped put them at the top of your list. Meanwhile, the potential prospective owner of your draft rights, Portland, were put at three. If given the choice, who would you prefer to go to?
WS: I think it’s key to be vocal about the drafting process as it is the real kickstart to my career and will help determine what team can get me stronger. I want to go to whoever I can help win an Ultimini and while I love the locker room over at Minnesota, I'm a fan of the GMs and players at Portland as well. When it comes down to it, that scouting ranking I made is really just that, a ranking of who I felt a connection with but there are varying factors to it. I'll be excited wherever I end up and hope to bring that excitement with me into the locker room come game day.
SH: While we’re on connections, you’ve also been very vocal about your relationship with Portland’s standout tight end (and future Hahalua cornerstone) Tyler Higbee II, calling yourselves the “Yap Brothers”. If I may ask, where did this bromance with Higbee stem from?
WS: It's all about the yap. That's where our connection stemmed from and where it will continue. Higbee has deemed the nickname Yap God and I've been called his Yap Prodigy. There's a lot of personality and competitiveness when it comes to yapping and it’s become a trait of mine in the league so far. One other thing that I like about Higbee is his strength which I find to be very telling of someone as a person. Another player in the league I want to shout out is Walter Yensid. They've gone out of their way to helping me when I was first starting out and have expressed their interest in me becoming their protégé in the league as well.
SH: Your case for Future Yap Son has a lot of evidence in this interview, you’ve been going at it since the beginning. I ain’t complaining, more the merrier.
Anyway, in regards to future plans, the prospect bowl looks beautiful for your stats. How’s the beautiful game been, and what do you have to say in regards to the community around the Carolina Reapers?
WS: The Reapers have had a lot of fun in our locker room actually. We all know this is the time to show our stuff but to have fun with it as well. The series may be tied 3-3 at the time that this show is going on but I think the Reapers are going to come out on top against the Sting. I wasn't able to play in the first few games as many people know but our defense was stout on day 2 and I think we're going to bank on that going into the final day of prospect bowl games.
SH: We have a few more questions before we end off, but before we call it, I have a fun question that might be interesting. A lot of players in sporting history have meaning behind their numbers: Old Man Jagr wears 68 to honor a family member killed in the Czech Prague Spring, Sidney Crosby reps 87 due to his birthday being August 7, David Beckham’s 23 honors Michael Jordan, and Shawn Heins wore 57 in a nod to the ketchup company. With that being said, you rep the number 3. Does 3 mean anything to you, and do you think you can etch your name alongside greats like CP3, Dale Earnhardt and A-Rod?
WS: That's a great question actually. I was 3 years old when I first got into football and getting stronger and I've worn that number on every team I have ever played on. I think it's possible to put my name next to the greats given time but that's not my focus for now. Right now I am all about growing in the league and getting even stronger than I am now. After that, maybe we can talk about putting me next to the other big names that share the same number as me.
SH: Hey, the way your career is going, I definitely see you being able to rest comfortably along those names. The last question I have is a pretty easy lay-up: you have an entire block of time to say whatever you want to say to the rest of the league. It can be threats, promises, whatever it may be - and it starts now.
WS: I'm not a man of threats but I promise I will do everything in my power to help the team that drafts me get to an Ultimini. That's really it. I've enjoyed talking with my fellow rookies and getting to learn more about them and have gotten to meet other personalties such as Sam Coverdale who has also performed well prior to the draft. I hope everyone has a great season but know that when we play you, be prepared. Thanks for bringing me out here today and remember to stay strong everyone!
SH: And scene! Special thank yous go out to the King himself, and here’s hoping your draft process goes fantastic! We’ve got more rookies on the lineup soon, but until then, I’m Preston “Shazam” Hefner, and we’ll see you next time on the Rookie Showcase of Shazam!
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