*Eric Kennedy’s 1st Interview as a WR

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[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Eric Kennedy’s First Interview Since Changing to Wide Receiver
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After an interview with SportsHype.Net in early S6, former Running Back Eric Kennedy has gone silent amid much controversy surrounding him. In that time, information has surfaced about injuries sustained throughout his career, which resulted in him switching to a new role at Wide Receiver. SportsHype.Net has finally had the opportunity to sit down with Kennedy and discuss the changes that have taken placed over the past year as well as the team’s latest success.

SH: Thank you for taking the time today to speak with us. First off, the Wraiths are having a monster season, currently ranked #1 in the NSFL at 11-1. What are your thoughts on the Wraiths’ success and the season so far?

EK: This has been a dream season. Everyone was even talking undefeated season for a while. The loss in Orange County did break the streak, but they’re a strong team and we knew that we were in for a fight headed into that game. No matter how well the season is going, you’re always going to have to keep your guard up when you’re facing multi-time champions, especially on their home turf. We’re back on track, though, and I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to keep the momentum coming. If we do face the Otters in a rematch for the Ultimus, I think it’s going to be in our backyard this year.

SH: A lot was made of your switch to Wide Receiver. Many analysts viewed as an inevitability, but sources close to the team say that you struggled with the decision prior to announcing the change. How do you feel your role has changed since moving to WR? And are you happy with that role?

EK: Most days, I am. I do have days where I question the move, but I’m a believer in tackling challenges head-on and this is the path that my career has taken. And so far, this is working out great, both for the team and for myself. In college, I did well in the Running Back role and I fell in love with it, but the way that I played back then didn’t prove to be effective in the NSFL. I’ve had to make a lot of changes from the moment I arrived here. The one thing that’s defined my career the most has been my ability to adapt and this was a case where I needed to adapt. Do I wish that I could have been that pure bell cow that I set out to be many years ago? Of course, I do. I worked so hard for that, but it ultimately wasn’t in the cards for me. To Yellowknife’s credit, they gave me a chance to prove myself last season, even though I think a lot of people seemed to know it wasn’t going to stick. I was probably the last to figure it out, but I guess that’s just me. I’ve always been very headstrong when I want something. Once I finally accepted that, though, there was really only two things I could do, move forward or sit around and feel sorry for myself. And I chose to move forward.

SH: You remained rather quiet in the wake of the criticisms levied toward you after your S5 MVP season. Many have described you as a one-trick pony. Was there ever any pressure on you to change roles because of those criticisms?

EK: I’ve heard it from multiple angles, including people inside the organization. It doesn’t feel good to be told that you’re not good enough for the job that you’ve prepared your whole life for. I’ll say that. After S5, I craved out a nice role for myself, but I fought it tooth and nail because it wasn’t where my heart was at. When they did give me the Running Back role, there was a bit of an unspoken understanding that, if it didn’t work out, I had a role on the team that they knew I could thrive in. Like you put it, a lot of the media analysts painted it as the team putting pressure on me to change, but I’ve had a lot of conversations with our head coach and ownership on the matter and their viewpoint was only that they wanted me to be in a role that I would be successful at. It’s something that I really wrestled with during the offseason, but the last few seasons have revealed a special talent that I never knew I had when I first set foot in the league. Maybe this is the role I should have been in the whole time, but as bittersweet as it may seem, I’m simply a better receiver than a runner. The numbers speak for themselves. And being able to finally accept that and change gears that way I have has opened up a lot of doors for me. I’m so much faster than I was before. We joke in the locker room that it’s because I’ve stopped carrying so much baggage. And I guess it makes sense. You’re never going to be at your best when your focus isn’t on the role that’s in front of you.

SH: You made the decision to re-sign with the Wraiths for another three seasons. A lot has been made of your relationship with owner Spike Crown, but when you last re-signed in S4, you stated that you were doing that to prove you belonged in the RB1 spot. That obviously hasn’t been the result, at least in not the long-term. Prior to the injury concerns, did you give any thought to seeking a Running Back role with a different team?

EK: I’ve always been pretty loyal to the Wraiths because they took me in when every other team overlooked me. I had some personality issues when I entered the league and they were the only team that was willing to invest the time to help me work past that. So, I’ll always be grateful. The only question mark for me was finding a clear role and, since I’ve made the jump to wide receiver, my role has been very clear. I just want to be able to play pro football and this team gave me that chance, so I’m happy to stay here in Yellowknife as long as they want me around.

SH: You mention having a clear role, but some analysts did question whether the competition between Bailey Cooks and yourself could hold one of your back. Has is the relationship between you two? And was that ever a concern?

EK: I’m a firm believe that talent shines through. Cook and I are not a classic Wide Receiver 1, 2 duo. For us, it’s more Wide Receiver 1a, 1b. We’re competing for targets, sure, but the same was true in S5 and we both did well that season. So, I wasn’t worried about it coming into the season. No one’s a decoy out there. And any team that puts too much coverage on one of us is going to find themselves getting torched by the other guy. I love having a partner that keeps me on my toes.
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[/div]SH: Several bizarre rumors developed this last off-season. It was reported that you were unhappy with the team. Then, it was reported that you were retiring. And now you’re back on the field having one of your best seasons yet. Can you explain any of that?

EK: I did touch on that a bit and I was unhappy, but that’s because I was struggling and I was in denial about the role that was right for me. The Wraiths have always treated me well. Admittedly, there was a health scare in late S5 and again in S6. The NSFL Head Office was aware of my condition and had concerns of their own, but I sought out a few independent doctors and was always able to get myself cleared to return to action. Last offseason was a bit different. I was suffering long-term damage from multiple concussions. Because I wasn’t handling it well, I did hide a lot of it from team staff and it was only shared on a need-to-know basis. Unfortunately, some communications got mixed up and, on the back of some irresponsible rumors, the agency that was representing me at the time announced my retirement. I never wanted to make a retirement announcement. Not at that point, anyway. There was a very real risk of me missing S7 and possibly even more time if things didn’t take a turn for the better, but I wasn’t ready to hang up the cleats yet. I was never planning to make an announcement of that level without exploring every possible option. Thankfully, I did pull through and was able to return to the field, which I feel very fortunate for.

SH: What can you tell us about the status of your health?

EK: It’s concussion-related. That much is accurate. I’ve received several and each one gets worse and worse. It’s a scary thing to go through. I ran a very physical style because that was what made me successful in college and I just never left those bad habits behind. Even as a receiver, I was still putting myself at risk because I was used to matching up with linebackers, not defensive backs. That led to a lot of bad hits and I wasn’t taking the necessary precautions to protect myself. And so the damage was piling up. When I was cleared to return, I was warned by the team trainers that I had to make a lot of adjustments or that I was going to end up back on the sidelines, probably for good. And I guess that was the wake-up call I needed. It’s been hard to let go of the habits that put my health at risk, but I’ve taken their advice to heart and I continue to work on it every week. I’ve been on the team for six seasons, but as an outside receiver, I’m still having to learn everything from scratch. It’s a brand-new role for me. Some days, I legitimately feel like I’m a rookie again, but if that’s what it takes to make sure I stay healthy, then that’s fine. I’m out on the practice field more than most veterans and I’m putting into the extra time because I’m having to re-invent myself. Health-wise, I’ve been very lucky so far this season and haven’t had any more health scares. My symptoms have continued to improve drastically and I feel great, but the one thing that sticks out in my mind is that I can’t relapse. I have to make a conscious effort to play it safe and that’s going to continue to be a concern for the rest of my career. But, from what I’m told, I can still have a lot of years left in me as long as I remain disciplined and continue to protect myself when I’m out there.

SH: The Wraiths have added a lot of young talent over the last few years. What players do you feel have impacted the team the most?

EK: For starters, we picked up a kid who’s really impressed a lot of people in his first year, Robby Rainey. I’d joke and say I’ve mentored him, but honestly, I’m probably the last person that needs to be giving him advice as a running back. He’s a natural, though, and I’m relieved to know that my old role is in good hands. It is a bit surreal to see someone walk into the role that I worked my career for, but he’s getting the job done. And, on the field, that’s the only thing that matters. We also have a great tight end in Glenn McPoyal. He’s taken over the old role that I used to play back in S5 that really put me on the map. It’s hard for me to play slot because it’s easy for a lot of those old habits to surface when I’m positioned in the backfield, but he’s been absolutely phenomenal. This transition and my health scare forced me to learn a whole new side of our offense and I feel very fortunate to know that those two young guys have been able to pick up the pieces that I left behind.

SH: Be honest. Is there any animosity there?

EK: I don’t think I have any right to be angry. Maybe some days there’s a part of me that clings to my old role, but I don’t want to be the bitter old guy holding a grudge against the young talent. It’s a natural cycle and I benefitted from it when I was younger. I could easily be on my way out the door, but I was fortunate enough to find a new role that’s been working out great. I’m a top 5 receiver in my first season lining up on the outside. I don’t know if that’s ever happened before. I’m getting 100 yards in the air coming out of most games and I’m back in the mix again. Not in a mediocre way like S6, but for real this time. People went from talking about me being a flash in the pan to mentioning my name alongside future hall of famers like Bradley Westfield and Josh Garden, guys who have helped shape this league. Man, that’s… as good as it gets. At this point, cling to the past just feels silly. Like I said earlier, I left the baggage behind. The future’s wide open for me these days.

SH: What are your goals going forward? Do you plan on playing as long as you can? Or could you see yourself bowing out on a high note if, for example, the Wraiths won the Ultimus?

EK: I’ve had a weird career. I went from a full back to a back-up receiver to a slot guy. In S6, I was a lead back and now I’m an outside receiver. It seems like every season that I’ve played, I’ve had a new role. For once, I’m in a spot that finally makes sense and I think that’s because I’ve finally gotten out of my own way. I just want to make the most out of my time left. Now, I don’t have a crystal ball. I’m 27 years old, which isn’t necessarily old, but it is for an athlete. Especially a former running back that played the way I did. And there are guys that have retired at this age. I could have easily been one of them. So, as far as retirement goes, who knows? If it happens anytime soon, though, it won’t be intentional. I don’t want my injuries to define my career. At the same time, I know the risks they pose to my health and it’s something I monitor very closely, but I want to overcome this. That’s the story that I want to define my career when it finally does come to an end. For now, the plan to play through my new contract, which is 3 more seasons, and then we’ll see where I’m at. Maybe it’s another 6 seasons. Or 10 more. I just want to keep my head clear and my body healthy. And, as long as I can do that, I want to continue to play, preferably in a Wraiths uniform. Of course, I do want to win the Ultimus this season. That would be indescribable, but I’m not a guy that’s just looking to cash out and call it a career. Not yet. I’ve got enough investments in my back-pocket that I should be able to get by if something unfortunate happens, but I love this game too much to walk away from it at this age. Not when I’m still in my 20’s. When the fans tell me to get out of the way, then I’ll get out of the way. But nobody’s telling that right now.

SH: We look forward to continuing to see your career develop and wish you the best of luck with your ongoing health. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see you continue to play on the field for many seasons to come.
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