Joe Gaiter:What does football mean to you?
Tashad Charity: Football is like no other sport, it’s very barbaric & chaotic (organized) but football is an escape gate for me. Football helps me cope with the daily trials & tribulations I face. It makes me happy I love everything about the game.
Joe Gaiter:Tell us about your season this year?
Tashad Charity: Despite the hardships me and my team faced this past season, I had a pretty good senior season. Earning All -Swac honors, LRTC MVP Honors, Bowl Game Invitations.
Joe Gaiter:What will you miss about playing at The University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff?
Tashad Charity: Attending UAPB as a school was such an experience for me as well as a culture shock. Football was a plus for me, I felt at home with the brotherhood relationships I made playing with the program. I will miss the band playing on the homecoming nights (legendary).
Joe Gaiter:As a Defensive End, do you feel like your position gets enough praise or attention from the media?
Tashad Charity: Playing Defensive End is very vital & and you’re a key ingredient to the scheme of the defense, D-Ends gets great exposure in leagues today. Every owner wants a great pass rusher like Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Brandon Graham, just to name a few from the NFL.
Joe Gaiter:What makes you ready for the NFL?
Tashad Charity: I feel like I’m ready for the NFL because I know how to be a student of the game. I know how and what it takes to win championships. I will buy into any system & adapt to become a playmaker, leader, and focal point on the team.
Joe Gaiter:Who would you compare your football skills to that currently plays in the NFL?
Tashad Charity: I like the way Aaron Donald and Adrian Clayborn plays, there’s no quit in these guys and that’s the way I approach the game and every snap until the game is over.
Joe Gaiter:Do you have any regrets over your college career?
Tashad Charity: I have no regrets towards my career so far because I feel and believe everything happens for a reason. As well as, everything is lessons and blessings, I grew from any mistakes I’ve previously made.
Joe Gaiter:If you could go back to your freshman year, what would you do differently?
Tashad Charity: If I had the opportunity to be a freshmen again, I would have focused a little harder, and practiced/perfected my craft even harder.
Joe Gaiter:Do you have anything that you would like to improve on physically?
Tashad Charity: I would like to improve my strength and speed, you could never be too strong or too fast, no such thing.
Joe Gaiter:What separates you from other athletes that play your same position?
Tashad Charity: I’m not the biggest, smartest, fastest, player but, my work ethic will have me training and studying my craft to the point I separate myself from the norm. I’m willing to put the work in with the right tools and resources available.
Joe Gaiter:Do you have a backup plan if you don’t make it to the NFL?
Tashad Charity: Yes, I think about this question often because you never know when it’s your last play. I’m in the process of receiving my degree in Mass Communications that was my goal in coming to college football was just a plus. That’s why I believe education is important, it’s always good to have back up plans you just never know.
Joe Gaiter:Where and how often are you training?
Tashad Charity: I train in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Baptist Health Facility 2-3 times a week.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Tashad Charity: I just want to be remembered as a guy that’s a God fearing man, works extremely hard, take care his family, and never settled for less.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words and Shoutouts?
Tashad Charity: Whichever team gives me an opportunity there getting a hungry guy, ready to work hard, championship mindset, and a great pickup to the roster.
Twitter: @Tee_D1Bound
Instagram: @Pain_to_glory
Facebook: Tashad Charity
