Interview: Tony Stubbs, American football player

Talent is what it takes!

He came long way from United States to completely foreign country, led by his instinct, and desire for game and outdoors fields. Fast, unstoppable even with his shoe off and part of uniform ripped off while carrying a ball toward win, Tony is in completely different zone when playing


By LJILJANA SAMARDŽIĆ (ljiljana.samardzic@wavemagazine.net)
from Sombor, SERBIA


It seems that sport, as a game, has that possibility to push the limits and leave out nationality and politics issues behind. Although new in this game and its rules, Serbian club managed to participate in CEFL, a European level of American football. It all begun with few sport lovers and enthusiasts who wanted to try out themselves in this sport. Today, there are professional trainers and players, who came to Serbia to share their few-years experience. One of them is Tony Stubbs, who used to play for Kansas University and Florida "Firecats".

His first interference with American football was in high school although he had strong wish and eagerness to play it much earlier. His parents were strongly against his involvement in this sport during his junior years, which made him want it even more. Motivation grew, as it usually happens, parallel with parents' forbiddance. "Once I got into high school, it was all football", says Tony Stubbs in an interview for WAVE magazine.

- The trigger which made me become a professional football player was just the determination. I simply always wanted to play football and especially to get to next level - NFL. So, that's what keeps me going all the time.

The things about football which delight him so much are game itself as well as the atmosphere.

- It's completely different and it's just like you are going to whole another zone when you start playing. I love it, love being around it!

Media wrote about 12 offers from universities that you had after high school and that you rejected the best ones. Is that true and why did you choose Kansas?

- I had a lot of schools looking at me and they wanted me to play defense at that time, but I was playing running back in high school. I wanted the ball and Kansas recruited me on that position, so I decided to go to Kansas. Ironically, I am playing defense now instead of my first choice - running back.

Did you regret for taking this path? Were there any other option regarding your life call?

- No, I don't take anything back. I believe that everything happens for a reason - I met a lot of new friends, new faces and got this great experience while being in Serbia. I wouldn't take anything back, I wouldn't at all. I would do it all over again.

Just like his colleague Brandon McDowell, Stubbs put up his profile at europlayers.com, looking for a change and waiting for a new chance. Coach John D. Harper and football player Jordan Green, who already were in Serbia, got in touch with him and so he came as well. Wasn't that a big step - moving to country you barely know something about?

- It was definitely a big step, but I like to experience new things and that's another reason for what I wanted a Kansas suit. I've been living on Florida all my life and I just wanted to try something (new), so I went to Kansas in the end. I like seeing different things and I wanted to experience a different culture just to see what the other side of the world was like.

He says that he had no prejudices about Serbian people before moving to Belgrade.

- I already knew I was coming to a totally different country and I wasn't expecting the things would be the same here, like in States. So, I just came with an open mind and everything was nice (smile).

If you stayed in the USA where would you be from professional standing?

- It would certainly be quite interesting, I would say. I really didn't have where to go at that present moment and I was in couple of arena teams. Since Arena already had been experienced, it led to my desire for trying something new, but to get back to the outdoors. That's because I've been playing indoor football for three years before that. It was the opportunity for me to get back out on the field and be outside again. It's completely different when you're playing in enclosed area.

What do you consider the greatest success in your life?

- Graduating at college! That's a big deal for us, especially when you're playing sport, because it's not just playing game. You got to work out, attend classes, tutoring... but that was one of really big accomplishments - to get my college degree.

Would you advise younger generations to start their own career in American football?

- I would say to go for it. If you love football it helps you with organization, it just teaches you how to be a team player. It would definitely be a good experience for young people.

Regarding disadvantages related for this particular sport, Stubbs adds that "there are always disadvantages especially if you're trying to go to next level, because everybody can't play professional football, it's just given".



(Published: 10.05.2010.)