I: “This is another article of Behind the Wall, where the unsung heroes of football are interviewed like the stars that they should be. This is the second article focusing on Clay Stallworth, DSFL draft prospect, Purdue University graduate, and perhaps most importantly, father to a young boy. I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.
CS: “No problem. It’s a pleasure to be invited back for a second round.”
I: “So as a father of a young boy, how have you handled the stress of finishing college, declaring for the draft, and raising a child?”
CS: “Well, I have been busy for as long as I can remember, being a three sport athlete in high school while trying to help mom with the younger guys. So I guess I have been handling it pretty well. Honestly, I am just doing what I have always done, except now people are watching. As for being a father, I knew that I wanted kids early on in life. Thankfully Alice has been on board with that for a long time.”
I: “Impressive how mature you sound for turning 21 only a few months ago. But let's talk shop shall we? Your official combine numbers were published recently and while your overall numbers are good, and while 35 reps on the bench at 225 pounds is very impressive, I am even more impressed with your Wonderlic score. A perfect 50. That is a feat that was only accomplished once in the history of the old NFL. You must be very proud.”
CS: “You know what’s funny about that? Quarterbacks are the only players who ever have their wonderlic score mentioned. I understand how important QBs are obviously, but I really think that it is unfair of the media to gloss over how many intelligent people play this game. There is a lot more thinking involved than the average observer would suspect.”
I: “But a perfect 50 is remarkable!”
CS: “At the end of the day it's just another number that people are going to put on my Wikipedia page. If my 50 is what I will be remembered by, then my career should certainly be considered a bust.”
I: “That is completely understandable. What do you want to do in your career? Last we spoke, you briefly mentioned life after football, but I want to know about the during. Are there any teams that have caught your interest?”
CS: “Well I have spoken to a lot of scouts recently, and had an opportunity to speak to quite a few current players. Obviously Orange County is a storied franchise that comes to mind and I would love to play there, but Norfolk led the league in Pro Bowlers last season. So between those two I guess it boils down to legacy versus the present. Of course, I will love wherever I end up, and I don’t want to be moving around a ton once my son starts school in a few years. I have a feeling that whoever I sign with after my rookie contract is up will likely be the place I stay for my career, since my rookie contract will be up when my son is 7, if I go in the first round.”
I: “Wow. Great stuff. Well, Clay, I hope you enjoy your weekend and this little break coming before the draft. I wish you the best of luck. Always a pleasure to have you.”
CS: “Thank you, you as well. Ya know, when all is said and done, I hope that I leave behind a legacy that highlights the importance of the OL position. Maybe my son will even play some day hahaha!”
CS: “No problem. It’s a pleasure to be invited back for a second round.”
I: “So as a father of a young boy, how have you handled the stress of finishing college, declaring for the draft, and raising a child?”
CS: “Well, I have been busy for as long as I can remember, being a three sport athlete in high school while trying to help mom with the younger guys. So I guess I have been handling it pretty well. Honestly, I am just doing what I have always done, except now people are watching. As for being a father, I knew that I wanted kids early on in life. Thankfully Alice has been on board with that for a long time.”
I: “Impressive how mature you sound for turning 21 only a few months ago. But let's talk shop shall we? Your official combine numbers were published recently and while your overall numbers are good, and while 35 reps on the bench at 225 pounds is very impressive, I am even more impressed with your Wonderlic score. A perfect 50. That is a feat that was only accomplished once in the history of the old NFL. You must be very proud.”
CS: “You know what’s funny about that? Quarterbacks are the only players who ever have their wonderlic score mentioned. I understand how important QBs are obviously, but I really think that it is unfair of the media to gloss over how many intelligent people play this game. There is a lot more thinking involved than the average observer would suspect.”
I: “But a perfect 50 is remarkable!”
CS: “At the end of the day it's just another number that people are going to put on my Wikipedia page. If my 50 is what I will be remembered by, then my career should certainly be considered a bust.”
I: “That is completely understandable. What do you want to do in your career? Last we spoke, you briefly mentioned life after football, but I want to know about the during. Are there any teams that have caught your interest?”
CS: “Well I have spoken to a lot of scouts recently, and had an opportunity to speak to quite a few current players. Obviously Orange County is a storied franchise that comes to mind and I would love to play there, but Norfolk led the league in Pro Bowlers last season. So between those two I guess it boils down to legacy versus the present. Of course, I will love wherever I end up, and I don’t want to be moving around a ton once my son starts school in a few years. I have a feeling that whoever I sign with after my rookie contract is up will likely be the place I stay for my career, since my rookie contract will be up when my son is 7, if I go in the first round.”
I: “Wow. Great stuff. Well, Clay, I hope you enjoy your weekend and this little break coming before the draft. I wish you the best of luck. Always a pleasure to have you.”
CS: “Thank you, you as well. Ya know, when all is said and done, I hope that I leave behind a legacy that highlights the importance of the OL position. Maybe my son will even play some day hahaha!”
Always run the ball if you got the ‘Stall
![[Image: -_Clay_Stallworth.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/751250013677682694/761722029627801630/-_Clay_Stallworth.png)
