Q: What inspired you to get involved with the School of Kinesiology?

A: When I got done playing football and finished grad school at Kines, the School of Kinesiology was looking for advisory board members. Kines has been so good to me, and I said I would love to give back any way I can. So I served on that board for 10 years while I lived in Chicago, and it was a great experience. When you look at where Kines is now, with our new building and the work that we're doing, and the notoriety that the school is getting, I feel so proud because I've been able to be a part of that development.


Q: That’s great. Given that you’ve seen the school change over this extended period of time, what are you most excited about in terms of where Kines is now and the direction we’re heading in?

A: Well, I love our new building and the location of it — being on central campus as a focal point. I love the notoriety that we're getting with the research that we're doing, and I think that's taking us to the next level. I travel a lot, and I’ve talked to a lot of different businesses and when I’ve mentioned my work on the University of Michigan Concussion Center’s advisory board, a lot of people perk up about the research we're doing to make our game safer. The games that we all play safer. Michigan has prided itself on always being leaders and best. And the Concussion Center — everything that we're doing is on the up and up on that level. So I'm very proud of the exposure that is bringing to the school.

Last weekend for the Oregon game, I was invited by [U-M] President Ono to speak at his tailgate. When he got up for his remarks, and he talked about the work we're doing at the Concussion Center, it really opened my mind. When the president of the university is talking about the work we're doing, you know we’re not the little kinesiology in the CCRB that we used to be. Now we're on the level of being an asset to the university. So I love that.


Q: I'm glad you mentioned the Concussion Center as I know you've been a big supporter of that group specifically. Can you share why it was so important to you to be an advisor for the center, on a personal level?

A: My dad passed away three years ago. At the time, I was back in Texas in his office, and I was looking at his old helmets that were on his mantel. (He played in the NFL from 1970 to ‘80.) Those helmets have been there for a long time; as a kid, I'd never really looked at them. But during that period, I picked them up, and I saw how those helmets were made back then and the lack of cushion they had in them. So it made more sense to me why my dad had some cognitive issues after playing 10 years in the league.

So I think, for me, it was about timing. After I saw those helmets, the Concussion Center reached out to me to see if I would join their advisory board. I realized I had a platform, based on what I’ve done in my career and what my family has done, to make our society better, and I got into work mode. I'm very passionate about concussion work, obviously because of my dad but also having teammates that have suffered as well. So it was a perfect fit. Now I’m trying to use my influence as best I can to raise awareness but also to help raise money because the work is not cheap.

Q: You mentioned fundraising as well; you’re on the campaign advisory board for Kines as a whole as well as the Concussion Center. Why is that important to you?

A: When I think about Kines, I love that place. I’ve known Dean Lori Ploutz-Snyder for a long time, and the work she’s doing and how she’s leading our school, I can’t support her enough. So any time I can help and lend my influence and expertise, I’m always going to.

And more broadly, the Block M has given so much to me and so many others. No matter where I am in the world, if I have a Michigan hat on or a Michigan shirt, I get a “Go Blue!” We have the largest alumni base in the country of any school, and we’re always trying to help someone. So that’s why I always give back because I know it’s going to come twofold and serve so many people.

Q: What does your role on the campaign advisory committee entail? If somebody else wanted to do that in the future, what could they expect?

A: It’s about reaching out to our network and telling our story. There's a lot of people that know about the work we're doing. But there's a lot that don't. I live in Detroit now, in an old historic neighborhood, and we're going to do a big event at my house and invite a ton of people to come and hear our story. There's strength and power when you tell the story of the work that we're doing and the impact that we're making on society.

Q: Why is now a good time to give to the U-M School of Kinesiology?

A: There aren’t a lot of universities that are on the level that we are, academically and athletically. And then you look at where Kines sits — we’re like that spoke that touches both sides. There’s other concussion centers out there, but they may not have a relationship with the athletic department. They might not have a relationship with the business school. We can touch all these different divisions and schools at the University of Michigan and still be Kines. And that's a beautiful thing.

And I think you always need to have a part of your life where you give back and you give to others where you can help and make an impact. We only live so long.