Sept. 2, 2011
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by Brandon Barca (Archive) Twitter updates @brandonbarca |
Don’t tell Carey Spear Cleveland sucks.
The city may get beat up when it comes to its sports history, but the Commodore kicking specialist takes pride in his hometown roots.
“People give me a hard time about it,” said Spear, who grew up just outside of Cleveland in Mayfield Village, Ohio. “But honest to God, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Spear’s passion carries over to Cleveland’s professional sports teams– the Browns, the Cavs, and the Indians. He was quick to point out that “the Tribe are only five games out (of the division lead). There’s still a pulse and we still have hope.”
Of course, Spear’s seen every one of the Major League movies (even Back to the Minors). You could say his own on-the-field demeanor resembles his favorite character, Rick Vaughn (played by Charlie Sheen). “(Vaughn’s) got an attitude about him that may come off as crazy, but as Coach Franklin says to us all of the time, `If you want to be successful in college football, you have be a little sick to play this game.'”
That’s exactly the type of attitude that helped propel Spear, a true sophomore, into the starting placekicker role this season in addition to his kickoff duties. Just watch his highlight reel moment from the Wake Forest game last year when he flew in from nowhere to take out the Demon Deacon returner.
Spear’s intensity even caught the eye of his new head coach. “(Carey’s) so aggressive in the weight room, on the football field, and in everything he’s done,” Franklin told the press on Monday. “It wouldn’t surprise me when he kicks the ball if he’s the first guy down. He views himself as an athlete as well as a specialist.”
The fact that Spear was voted as one of the five captains speaks volumes for his approach to the game and the respect he has in the locker room.
I talked with Spear following practice on Wednesday to find out more about how he first got into kicking, what it was like growing up with two brothers, and the story behind his parody of a Commodore promotional campaign.
Brandon Barca: How did you find out that you were selected as a captain?
Carey Spear: Coach Franklin announced it to the team the morning after the vote, so I found out that way. It is an honor being selected by my teammates and having the respect of my teammates. I’m going to do the best job I can to be a leader for this team and do whatever is best for the team. It’s just a privilege.
BB: Coach talked about your intensity during Monday’s press conference. How do you approach your job on the field?
CS: As far as my intensity, I was taught that by playing in the backyard with my two brothers and father every day. So just being competitive while I was growing up and approaching everything that way whether it’s sports, school, or life. I just try to have fun and go all out in everything I do and things will take care of themselves. Coach Franklin says that, so I approach it that way.
BB: How was growing up with two brothers?
CS: I was the middle brother. I had one to look up to and one to teach. I don’t know if I did a good job in either of those areas, but we’ll see. I love them though.
Charley, my older brother, is a big soccer player. I followed him, so that’s how I got into all of the kicking stuff. He kicked in his high school, so the coach asked me if I wanted to kick, and it worked out. I also have a little brother named Colin. I try to be the best brother that I can be for him every day. He’s a big football player, too.
BB: So you didn’t get into kicking in football until high school?
CS: Yes, not until my freshman year. I was a big soccer player. My coach asked me my freshman year (to play football) because Charley, who is four years older than me, was the kicker on the team the year before when I was in eighth grade. He just told me, `If you want to try this out, come out here and give it a shot.’ I had a good time.
BB: What was the learning curve like?
CS: Fifty camps later and 30 coaches later and I’m here now. It was a lot of work, more than people think. There’s a lot of technique to it and a lot of mental toughness goes into it. I love it and treat it as a privilege, and approach the game that way.
BB: Back to your intensity on the field. I remember when you laid out a Wake Forest player on a kickoff return last season. Plays like that seem to break stereotypes of the kicking position.
CS: I try to do that. I try to work my tail off in the weight room. I try to work my tail off in conditioning. I know that kicking is not the most strenuous position on the field, so when I have the opportunity to work hard with my teammates, I’ll do that. I’ll try my best and I think they respect that.
BB: What’s it like after you make one of those big hits?
CS: There’s nothing like it, just getting involved and hitting somebody along the way. I’d love to have another one. I’m just doing my job; whatever it takes to make this team better.
BB: Have you ever played positions other than kicker?
CS: When I was in middle school and junior high, I played quarterback and running back, and some safety too, but I gave it up for soccer.
BB: What’s the longest field goal you’ve ever kicked?
CS: In a game, it’s 61 yards. It was the last game of my high school career in the regional semifinal. It was right before the half, a 61-yard free kick. That’s the longest kick I’ve ever made.
BB: I’ve seen your commercial spoof called “Carey Spear is Vanderbilt Football.” Can I attribute your recent success to that campaign?
CS: [Laughs] No, I’m not going to say that has anything to do with it. It was a big joke. Yeah, it got big pretty quick for some reason among the athletes. It’s funny. I’m glad you got to see it.
BB: Oh, it’s been around our offices in McGugin and compared to the other commercials.
CS: Unbelievable.
BB: What spurred you to have fun with that video?
CS: Just watching Zac (Stacy) and Warren’s (Norman) video. Watching them throw the football to each other. And then watching Brandon (Barden) walk up the stairs with his book bag, I just thought I’d make a little parody. But it was just all fun and games and it ended up being a big hit.
BB: You’re from just outside of Cleveland. Have you been to Cedar Point?
CS: I’ve been there. I love roller coasters; I can do them all day. I miss Cedar Point. I haven’t been there in awhile. Millennium Force is my favorite one.
BB: You’re also a huge Cleveland sports fan, correct?
CS: Yes, the Browns, Cavs, Indians. The Tribe are only five games out. There’s still a pulse and we still have hope. We’re going to take the Tigers down. They’re going to choke. They always do. It’s Cleveland’s year this year. We got Jim Thome back. We’re ready to make a move.
BB: Then it’s safe to say you’re a fan of the Major League movies.
CS: I’ve seen all of the Major League movies. I love how the movie takes a bunch of no name guys with zero expectations for success and a big chip on their shoulder. With the right leadership, they put aside what anyone else says outside of the clubhouse and they come together and win a championship, which brings the city of Cleveland closer and gives everyone something to get excited about.
BB: It seems that some people try to relate the town of Cleveland to all of its worst sports moments. Did you live through that?
CS: It kind of relates to how I carry myself. I love being from Cleveland. I wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else. People give me a hard time about it, some teammates and stuff. But honest to God, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s my home and I love everything about it. I love the people back in Mayfield and miss them. It’s just home.
BB: You’ve probably watched the “Cleveland Sucks” videos? Just another thing that gives the town a bad rap?
CS: Actually, the guy who made that video is from Cleveland. It was just a parody. Those are hilarious.
BB: Your bio says you’re an accomplished pianist.
CS: I played piano for 11 years from the ages of five to 16. I was into classical music– the Suzuki Book Series. I had to give it up for soccer and football actually, so I got away from it. Unfortunately, it was one of the biggest regrets in my life, letting go of that. But I still have a little bit in me. I’ve been picking up a little guitar from a couple of teammates and I’m trying to learn some of that.
BB: Which teammates?
CS: Andrew East is a professional and so is Andrew Bridges. They’re both really good.
BB: What about the rest of the kickers? I think they have musical backgrounds as well. What about forming a band?
CS: Shut up, I haven’t thought about it. I don’t know if Ryan (Fowler) or Richard (Kent) play. If they do, I’d have to find out. But if so, look for things to come.
BB: Maybe that’s another promotional video like “Carey Spear is Vanderbilt Football.” Part 2?
CS: Exactly. The Specialists. Get our names out there.
