Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q & A With Safety Jamarquis Jordan
09/23/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Sept. 23, 2004
By Dave Siegal
www.SIUSalukis.com
What was it like playing high school football in Tyler, Texas.
"Friday night football would shut down the city. Games would start at 7 o'clock and everything would close down. Back when I was there, we were ranked as a Fab 50 high school, so people were pretty excited about it."
After high school, you began your career at Coffeyville, but didn't play football. Why?
"I went to Coffeyville on a football scholarship, but it was a last-minute thing, and there were some problems with the out-of-state rule, so I focused on track instead."
Have you incorporated anything from your All-American track career into playing football?
"The way I run, my form. I try to run smooth, get my knees in shape. I try to use my hurdle skills, too."
Talk about your relationship with the other Coffeyville players on the team?
"We're family. There's not much in Coffeyville, so we had to stick together. Now, we're all here together. We're all roommates here in Carbondale."
Talk about the chemistry you have with fellow safety Frank Johnson?
"I can look at Frank and just say `me, me, me or you, you, you' and we know what each other is going to do. Before a play sometimes, we just point at each other and know what the other guy is thinking."
Who are your role models in football? Do you pattern your game after anybody?
"I just play the game. I try to do my job. The one safety I do look up to is Brian Dawkins for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is number 20."
Does number 20 have significance to you?
"It was my father's number back in high school and Earl Campell's number. He's from Tyler."
Have you ever met Earl Campbell?
"Oh yeah. He's my grandmother's cousin. He still has friends back home. There's a place where they sell Earl Campbell's hot wings."
How is your relationship with Coach Kill?
"That's my guy. I have much love and much respect for him. He's taken care of me during my time here."
What has been your highlight here at SIU?
"Probably coming back at Western Illinois and at Western Kentucky. Those have been my highlights."
How tough was it last year to watch the last three games on the sidelines after injuring your leg?
"Oh man, it was real tough. I felt like half of the rest was my fault because I wasn't there to help the team. But I'm back now."
What do you plan on accomplishing this season Individually and as a team?
"Individually, just doing my part and helping the team succeed. As a team, taking it to the house. That's my motto. We're gonna take it to the house."
What do you enjoy doing on your spare time?
"Sitting around, playing games on X-Box, watching TV. Just what a college student would do."
What do you plan on doing after graduating?
"Find a job. Hopefully, I'd get a chance to take it to the next level."
