Andrew Perkins: In the beginning of my senior year of high school is when I stopped caring for football. The Desire and Happiness I thought I had for the game was not there anymore. I was distracted by someone who I was ready to put FIRST. But quitting my favorite sport was never in my blood, but I just knew or at least I thought I knew that football was not for me anymore. To be honest I was not thinking about my life after high school. I was focused on other things that were not concerning football. When the referee blew the final whistle with Millington Highschool leading the score I was hurt, but that feeling was not just any pain. It felt like somebody close to me was killed. Part of me blamed myself for the loss because I knew we as a team did not put in enough work, but most importantly I did not push myself to be the best that I can be. There is a saying “You’re only as strong as your weakest link”, I was the weak link holding my team back. I made a vow from that I will not let anything, or anybody distract me from the one thing I love. That day I remembered how much I loved the game, and Yes that ONE game made a difference. Football is more than just a game to me. I have been playing since I was 6 years old. So, imagine something you hold very dearly being taken away from you. You are going to want to get it back by ANY MEANS NECCARY. That is what football means to me.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Andrew Perkins: You ever been told that your too short? You are not strong enough? You are not fast enough? Or even you are not even quick enough? But lucky for you, you had 3 out of 4. But Me? I had none of the above. I was overlooked my whole. Nobody gave me the chance; it is like being picked last for a dodgeball game. Which team will give you the chance and pick you up? Or it’s like the movie “NORBIT” when Rasputia made the little dude pick Norbit for a game. That is how it was for me growing but with my father doing all the talking. Coaches would not tell me that directly to my face, they would tell other coaches and they would tell my dad. My dad would work me 24/7 until I was the best, he always said “Make all the people who didn’t believe in you eat they words”. But there were a few coaches who did believe in me and I will FOREVER be grateful for that. Also, there were times people would say I do not have what it takes to play on college level, and of course I am proving them wrong, I am about to be a senior this coming fall. So, for the people that have been looked down on, here is my answer do not listen to them, keep pushing and NEVER GIVE UP. YOUR FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN JUST LIKE MINE. -PS God ALWAYS has a plan.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about Detroit Central?
Andrew Perkins: My fondest memory at Detroit Central Highschool was my first day of school and everybody was walking up to me asking was I the new QB? I was very fond of that; people knew me before I stepped through the door. When I walked through, I grew good relationships with friends, and I found a cousin I did not know I had and whose daughter is now my god daughter. But most importantly the few coaches who keep in contact with, I will forever cherish all the teachings and especially the tough love. Thank you, Coach Sanders, Coach Kev, Coach Hop, and especially Mr. Ford.
Joe Gaiter: Tell me about your recruiting experience?
Andrew Perkins: `My recruiting experience was terrible, but all of that was my fault and alone. I was not handling business on the field. Like I said earlier in the beginning my head was not where it needed to be at the time. Part of me wishes that I can go back and do things differently. It is true what they say, “Time moves Forward, not Backwards”. The school I was initially supposed to go to was Adrian College, but ended up going to a JUCO in Atlanta well at least I thought it was. So, when things did not go as planned. I knew I needed to have a backup plan. So, I sent an application in to Kentucky State University. I was not going to be there alone because I have a sister that attends and is in the band. I knew I would have to work harder than everybody else to earn a scholarship. I eventually earned a scholarship my sophomore of college.
Joe Gaiter: Why did you choose Kentucky State?
Andrew Perkins: My sister is mainly the whole reason why I chose Kentucky State. Even though I had nowhere else to go, she convinced me we could be together majority of the time and I could try out for the football team. She told me that this could be a fresh new start for me, and I could meet new people. I want to thank the Levels because after all they helped me get in school, so if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be in school and if it weren’t for my sister, I wouldn’t have chosen Kentucky.
Joe Gaiter: What were your stats this year?
Andrew Perkins: I ended up with 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions for 16 yards, 5 Pass Breaks ups, and 2 QBH and I ended up TOP 50 in the SIAC.
Joe Gaiter: KSU was 7-3 this year. What do you think changed from the 0-10 2018 season?
Andrew Perkins III: 0-10 to 7-3 a lot of things changed. I think I can speak for the whole team that we wanted it more and we were playing as a team and not as individuals. From the coach’s standpoint losing was not an option but obviously we lost 3 games that we should not have lost but as players there were miscommunications and missed assignments. We believed that we were the best and now we are making other people believe it as well. This season we have something instore for teams.
Joe Gaiter: How have you been staying in shape during the off-season?
Staying in shape I think has been a little challenging for me because I was going from 5 mandatory practices a week to having to work out whenever there is a clear sky instead of a rainy day. But other than that, I always find a way to put that work in.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about the atmosphere at KSU home games?
Andrew Perkins III: Man, the home games be rocking. I love are home games. The vibes and the love we get from the Alumni are amazing. Lose, Win or Draw the Alumni are behind us no matter what.
Joe Gaiter: Do you feel like your talents have been underrated?
Andrew Perkins III: My talents have always been underrated and even to this day people does not think I have what it takes. I think that is what makes me different from other players, my strive and determination is to be the greatest player even when the odds are against me.
Joe Gaiter: What makes you a great strong safety?
Andrew Perkins: I would not call myself “Great” well at least not yet. I have a lot of work to do before I can use that term. But what makes me different from other Strong Safeties in the conference is how consistent I am.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Andrew Perkins:My major is Physical Education. I plan to go into Physical Training and help young athletes maintain their athletic ability. Also teach them the healthy ways to do things.
Joe Gaiter: Who are your mentors?
Andrew Perkins:
Andrew Perkins Jr
Jajuan Perkins
Christopher Huff
Kevin Ford
Jerry Byes
Ken Kareem
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your relationship with your family?
Andrew Perkins: My relationship with my family is good. Everybody knows how hard I work. Sometimes when I forget who I am doing this for they are always there to remind me, especially my aunts. When I tell you, they are crazy I mean it, I get threats every other month about them popping up at my school. My dad is the craziest then it’s my aunts and my uncle is like my older brother I never had. Anything I need to get off my chest I go to him and he be straight up with me. When I am in trouble I go to moms and tell them first, well it depends on how bad it is.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Andrew Perkins: I’ll be the first to graduate college and play sports from both sides of my family. So, I want my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren to never give up on anything you start. You finish it to the very end.
Joe Gaiter: What are your expectations for the 2020 season?
Andrew Perkins:For this season me and my teammates are prepared to dominate are opponents and show no mercy!
Joe Gaiter: What are your grateful for?
Andrew Perkins: I am grateful for my parents bringing me into this world. I am grateful to all my friends and family and all those who stuck behind even when times were shaky. But most importantly I am Grateful for my Dad, Christopher Huff and Jerry Byes. Without these three pushing everyday to be the best, to be honest I would not be playing football anymore.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Andrew Perkins: Any young people going through struggles or having any doubts about life? My words to you is to keep pushing it will all work out in the end, as it did for me. God always has a plan!
Joe Gaiter: Shoutouts?
Andrew Perkins: Shout out to all my mentors for believing in me and family and friends. Also, shout out to my teammates I love y’all boys!! LET’S GET THIS RING THIS YEAR!
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Twitter: @biggperk
Andrew Perkins III, Kentucky State, Interview with Joe Gaiter was last modified: May 12th, 2020 by Joseph Gaiter
