Stephen Bates Tells All
Prior to joining the radio industry, Stephen attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg Virginia. He earned Kodak All-American Honors as a stand out Defensive End and Outside Linebacker. Steve was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams of the National football League in the 10th round of the 1990 NFL Draft. Steve spent the next 5 years moving from team to team including 4 seasons in the Canadian Football League.
FB 101: Stephen, who did you want to play like while you were learning the game?
SB: I wanted to play the game like Lawrence Taylor (NY Giants), Derek Thomas (KC Chiefs) and Charles Haley (San Francisco 49ers and fellow JMU Graduate). These guys were tenacious on the field. They played hard every play and when the game was close they would always come through with a big defensive play. Unfortunately as a defensive player I did not like the offensive players. The QB was always the bad guy. I have to say I did like watching Dion Sanders play the game. He was a fantastic talent.
FB 101: What do you miss most about playing?
SB: I miss the players the friends the sense of family that you develop. Not every player gets along with every other player but it is a sense of common interest and support. The time in the locker room after a game or after practice was always a time to joke and create a bond.
FB101: How do you think the game has changed since you were a player and now?
SB: Football is football but the league realizes that they need to take care of the stars. The league has changed some of the rules to promote more scoring opportunities as well. The pass interference rule penalizes a defender for playing a physical game. The rules don’t want to get Quarterbacks hurt so they do not let you hit the QB hard. If you fall on the legs of the QB it is a penalty. They have a rule of unnecessary roughness if a defensive player hits a receiver too hard while they are in the air. This rule makes me sick because as a defensive player you try to intimidate the opponent. A clean solid hit on a receiver who tries to dive to make a catch will make him think twice before trying that again.
FB 101: How did playing football influence your life?
SB: Sports analogies are always used in life. “Get up dust yourself off and get back in the game”, I used them all the time as a sale manager. Because so much of what we have to do in life is a competition then I look at the opportunities when I can compete. Most people are not successful in competing if they have not done the proper preparation. Knowing what to do in a given situation and being prepared for the situation to arise. We had a saying in college… “Getting Better Every Day!” Either you are getting better or you’re falling behind.
Look for Part 2 of Stephen’s interview later this week!
