Syracuse Strong: Press Coverage with LB EJ Maeweather

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With EJ playing both linebacker and safety in his football career there were two players that he took pieces from their games and added it to his own: Pro Football Hall of Famers Ed Reed and Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.

"“There’s a couple of players that stand out historically. Ray Lewis was always one of my favorites to watch. I tried to model my linebacker game after him. He just had it all: he was aggressive but smart. Ray was a real cerebral player and he made the game look easy. When I played in the secondary, Ed Reed was another one of my favorites. Pat Tillman is another one.”"

Before we reveal his No. 1 idol, it should be obvious, but it’s not. Future Hall of Famer John Lynch is the reason that EJ wears No. 47 to this day.

"“He’s the reason that I wear No. 47. I loved the way he played the game. The best thing about him is he didn’t showboat. He just did his job. He made people scared to come across the middle and he should absolutely be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”"

Now after hearing all these war stories on the elite talent of the NFL, we asked EJ to describe his

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own game to someone who may have never heard who he is:

"“At this point, I’m more so the quarterback of the defense. I’ve been in this defense for so long that I know where everyone is supposed to be. I know all the facets and can spit them to you with my eyes closed. Which allows me to be more aggressive because I know how good my teammates are and what their habits are. The No. 1 thing I say to my guys is to play with controlled chaos. You want to keep that aggressive edge, but you don’t want to lose control.”"

Speaking of being a veteran on this team, at 33 years old, how much more do you have left in the tank?

"“I do think about it, I can’t lie. It’s all about how my body feels. When I start to feel different about the game and don’t put the same work into it in the offseason, that’s when I’ll seriously consider hanging it up. Even at my age I still think I can go out there and ball out.”"

Regardless of when EJ plans on hanging up his cleats, that has no bearing on his career. We can’t say this enough, these Syracuse Strong players don’t play for money (this is voluntary), they play for the love of the game. Which means they have to maintain a day job to support their families.

By day EJ is a Youth Development Specialist at Danforth Middle School, but he’s transitioning to a new job in the same field which would include more responsibilities.

"“On a daily basis, I have a caseload of 25 hybrid students on whether that be behaviorally or academically and I support those students. I try to decrease their behaviors and increase their grades.”"

Speaking of caseloads we experienced our own during the production of this interview. EJ wasn’t the only one in the car we were also joined by his girlfriend and son as well:

"“My family supports me 110 percent. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without their support. They’re at every home game, away game, a neutral game it doesn’t matter. A couple of years ago we had a game in Massachusets and it was cold as hell, raining, hailing, sleeting you name it. My family was there and she didn’t complain. Their support is everything to me.”"

***Alisha Marie (EJ’s girlfriend) jumps into conversation***

"“We had hand warmers and blankets. I’ll tell you, Paul, that one game it was COLD!”"

Although EJ jumped in to say that as a football player he “loves the weather”. Something else he loves? Hitting people. Why? Because it’s better to hit people than getting hit he says.

"“I played offense back in pop warner and early in high school and I’ll be honest I don’t like getting hit. I get really upset when someone hits me. It hurts man.”"

To wrap up this “Press Coverage” interview here are some rapid-fire fun questions to finish things off on a light note:

Q: Funniest teammate?

"A: “Dewayne Gordon probably is the funniest teammate. All he does is talk all game. He’s crazy and says crazy stuff.”"

Q: Who is the biggest rival for the Strong?

"A: “We don’t really have one. No one has been able to beat us on a consistent basis to warrant a “rivalry”."

Q: If you were on a deserted island and you had to pick one teammate to bring with you, who would it be and why?

"A: “I think it’d be Kahari Alford. He just knows a lot of weird stuff man. Kahari has shown me some survival tactics before man and he’s big so he can fight off a bear or something. Regardless of the situation, he’s always cool and calm man.”"

I’m not sure how many bears would be on a deserted island, but I digress.

Next. Syracuse Football: Ranking every SU first round pick in NFL Draft history. dark

Q: If you could go out to dinner with two other people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?

"A: “One would be Tupac and the other would be Jay-Z. Tupac was my favorite rapper when I was young. I loved what he stood for and he was willing to be outspoken. His music is just timeless. Jay-Z is a businessman and I’d love to sit down and pick his brain. Probably one of the most interesting things we’d discuss is his failures and how he bounced back from those.”"

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