University of Tennessee Athletics
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Vol Profile: Kelley Washington
October 31, 2001 | Football
Oct. 31, 2001
VOL PROFILE: Kelley Washington
VOL PROFILE: After playing professional baseball, what made you want to come back and play college football for Tennessee?
Washington: "I really felt Tennessee was my best way to get exposure as far as a national level, as far as everybody in the world watching me play football. I felt that if I came here and did what I was capable of that one day I would be able to support my family, and that's why I came to Tennessee. All the big-time players have been here at Tennessee. I felt that if I really worked the way I am capable of working then one day I could be something special."
VOL PROFILE: Do people treat you any differently?
Washington: "I just think they hear a lot of things from the news and media about Kelley Washington, and they really want to see if Kelley can play and what he is all about. I don't get any special attention, I just get a lot of attention just because what people hear, but I like to show people what I am about."
VOL PROFILE: Do you have anyone that you look to for motivation?
Washington: "I look to my family, just the way that I was brought up, I promised my mother that one day she would never have to work again, so that's why I work so hard because one day I want to support my mother and my family. I'm not going to give an edge to anybody, they are going to have to out work me for it."
VOL PROFILE: Is there any type of mental preparation that you do before each game?
Washington: "I just think about my grandmother and great- grandmother who passed away a few years ago, and they really brought me up. So before the game I always think about them and shed a couple of tears just for them just because if they could see where I was at now, and I always just think about my family and doing it for my family. That's why I play, because of my family."
VOL PROFILE: What are your interests outside of football?
Washington: "I like to play video games, and think about what I need to do on the football field."
