Distinguished Alumnus Profile - Kerry Rhodes
September 09, 2009 | Football
Sept. 9, 2009
For many new NFL players, it takes many seasons to become successful stars in the league.
The pressure is intense and new players must learn to make adjustments as they move from college to the professional level.
Kerry Rhodes, free safety for the New York Jets, made a seamless transition. He started from day one and has become one of the most dominant players at his position.
Rhodes, a former Cardinal, credits former U of L head coach Bobby Petrino for making the transition easier for him. "He ran a pro-style organization so the transition was not that hard," he said.
One of his favorite memories of his time at U of L was not an interception that sealed a game or a sack, but when he dropped an interception against Miami his senior year. "I had a chance to make a pick to maybe seal the game for us and I dropped it," he said. But he overcame the dropped pass and continued to progress as a defensive back, he said.
Rhodes attributes his success to his confidence in his abilities. "I always want to be the best, having the confidence in myself that I am the best," he said. "It is not being cocky but it is just having the confidence to know that if I do everything right you can not beat me."
"You are always in a compromised position where you have to be right," he said. "It is definitely one of those positions where you have to be confident."
Rhodes has intercepted 12 passes over his four-year career and registered 354 tackles.
He has started every game in his career, but his first game has a few special memories for him. "The first game we played the Kansas City Chiefs and they had all their weapons,' he said. "I was going against Tony Gonzalez [in] my first game. I was thrown right into the fire."
Rhodes has other interests outside of football. He has appeared in movies and music videos and is visible on television nationally and in the New York area. "When I get done [with my career], I definitely want to dabble in the acting stuff a little bit," he said. "As far as a long term thing, commentating and calling games is something that I really want to do."
Since he has come into the NFL, Rhodes began his RHODES Foundation which gives college scholarships to high schools students and also football equipment to high schools. "I always felt like if I was in a position to give back, I would," he said. "It is a chance for me to be active in the community."
As for this season, Rhodes is excited for the year with new coach Rex Ryan. "It is very exciting to have a guy as passionate, a guy who wants to be the best, as everyone else on the team," he said.
