Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers shared his favorite memory with Eastern’s football program and who he thinks the greatest football player of all time is.

Q: When did you first start playing football?

A: “I started playing at 4 years old.”

Q: Were you always a running back?

A: “No I wasn’t. My first two years, I was actually on the [offensive] line. My dad told me, ‘You’re not playing the line.’ So, we moved [teams], and I played running back on that team from first grade all the way up to high school.”

Q: Who on the team are you giving the aux to?

A: “If you’re from Chicago, you’re not getting the aux. I’m giving the aux to me. Other than me, I would go with my boy Jay Pearson.”

Q: What is your favorite memory with the program?

A: “I’m going to say Illinois State. The dynamic of that game was crazy. I don’t think anybody thought we were going to win that game, and the game ended on a last second pass, and we got to lift the trophy. That was probably one of the best moments football wise.”

Q: Pancakes or waffles?

A: “I used to be pancakes all day, but I think my taste buds changed. I’m going to go with waffles. Pancakes are just cooked bread.”

Q: Do you put anything on your waffles?

A: “Butter and syrup.”

Q: With two games under your belt, how are you feeling about the rest of the season?

A: “I’m feeling great. We have the opportunity to have two Big Ten opponents. I think that’s going to help us the rest of the way for conference play. We got Northwestern this week, and we already played one B1G Ten opponent so we know what to expect physicality wise. It’s only going to make us better when we do get to face our OVC opponents.”

Q: Do you think the Earth is round or flat?

A: “The Earth is round.”

Q: Who’s the funniest person on the team?

A: “Jamal Jeffers. Easy. We can come in at 4 in the morning and everyone has crust in their eyes, nobody’s awake. Then, Jamal will come in the building with the most energy. He’ll just crack jokes. He’s a funny dude.”

Q: Who’s your favorite NFL team?

A: “Cincinnati Bengals.”

Q: Who is the GOAT of football?

A: “Right now, it’s Tom Brady. [Patrick] Mahomes isn’t too far off though.”

Q: What is your favorite post game meal and/or snack?

A: “For post game snack, we got these animal graham cookies. I don’t know where they get them, but that’s my favorite snack. For the meal, I only had it when we went on the road, but Zaxby’s is really good.”

Q: If you had a walk out song, what would it be?

A: “Ima Boss by Meek Mill and Rick Ross.”

Q: If you had the power to bring one celebrity on campus, who would it be?

A: “I think LeBron [James] is a generous guy. If LeBron even had a reason to come here, I think he would give us some money.”

Q: How do you like your steak cooked?

A: “Medium well.”

Q: How do you balance being a student and an athlete?

A: “Time management. Coming from high school, unless you were taught that, that’s something that has to be developed. You have to prioritize what’s important, and then you got to know how to use your free time wisely.”

Q: Knowing everything you know now, what would you tell 10-year-old you?

A: “Stay focused on the bigger picture. At 10, I knew I wanted to play football at this level. I knew I had dreams playing at the next level. It’s super easy, especially while you’re growing up, to feel like you need to start living outside of what you’re used to as a kid. I would just tell myself to stay focused and keep the bigger picture in mind.”

Zaria Flippin can be reached at 581-2812 or zhflippin@eiu.edu.