Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Carlton Swopes: Football helped me mold myself into who I am. It’s many similar stories to mines but football is my peace away from all the death and negativity in my community. It’s something that was presented to me at a young age and I could never stop loving it after I scored my first touchdown.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
Carlton Swopes: I grew up in the inner city of Cleveland,Ohio where it’s easy to fall off track and let your dreams slip so you have to stay focused and stay the course.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Carlton Swopes: My untold story is basically nothing was handed to me and I had to work my tail off for everything I deserve and growing up I lost a lot of friends like people I were close to but one that really hit home was my friend Michael Chappman and on my social media’s you might see the #DoitFor10 on every post and that’s representing him we had the same dream but his life was cut short due to a drive by shooting and I just want to finish the dream out for us.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories of Glenville High School?
Carlton Swopes: Attending Ted Ginn Academy/Glenville High School was one of the best experiences in my life. Just to be able to see all the examples set before me that had the same dream as me is just great to be around. It’s basically the IMG of Ohio. We have so many NFL players it’s ridiculous but they also teach you how to become a respectful young man and how to win at life. They could care less about football.
Joe Gaiter: How did you like playing at Eastern Michigan?
Carlton Swopes: Eastern Michigan was the first school to believe in me in high school. I attended one of their camps as a sophomore and was lighting it up scoring touchdown after touchdown on 4 star and 5 star Db’s and they recruited me heavily in the following years. Overall it’s a great program and I made some great connections in my time attending there.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Kentucky State University?
Carlton Swopes: Coach Charlie Jackson won me over in the recruiting process by just being himself and a genuine person it wasn’t the typical recruitment I had the chance last summer to stay in division 1 play but after a conversation with Charlie Jackson I couldn’t find a better coach to be coached by.
Joe Gaiter: What were some of your stats this year?
Carlton Swopes: Due to my injury at eastern Michigan I wasn’t able to play this year at Kentucky state because I wasn’t medically cleared until week 7 so I used this year as a medical redshirt but I’m back 100% and ready for the season to come.
Joe Gaiter: What did you take away from your 7-3 2020 season at KSU?
Carlton Swopes: After seeing a team that was 0-10 flips into a 7-3 season you have to notice it and although I couldn’t play this year I kept my teammates focused and we were super discipline and focused throughout the season gaining a winning record.
Joe Gaiter: How did you face adversity this year?
Carlton Swopes: The adversity I faced this year was having to get back to 100% and going to physical therapy every day. Having to watch football and not actually play that’s a hard pill to swallow but I locked in and now I’m ready to go.
Joe Gaiter: What have you learned from the graduating seniors this year?
Carlton Swopes: The graduating seniors played a big part in my life from a learning standpoint because I see how hard they work. From my experience at the D1 Level to now dropping to the HBCU level the effort you have to put in has to be off the charts.
Joe Gaiter: What is the game day atmosphere like at KSU?
Carlton Swopes: The game day atmosphere is crazy. The fans really get us going when we’re out there and the band actually plays a big part in hyping the team up.
Joe Gaiter: Do you feel you have reached your athletic peak yet?
Carlton Swopes: I have not reached my athletic peak at all there is so much more work to put in and many big plays left I have to make , there is always room for more in life so I feel like I will never reach it.
Joe Gaiter: What makes you one of the top wide receivers in HBCU football?
Carlton Swopes: I’m hungry and I will not settle for less everyone in HBCU football will remember my name, not knocking anyone whatsoever. I just want to be the best and I’ll show you from being a team player first and I will stand out without any promotion.
Joe Gaiter: Where are you training during the off-season?
Carlton Swopes: Right now I am training with local college players in Cleveland. In the summer I have reservations on going to California and Florida training with TJ Housh and Brandon White .
Joe Gaiter: How do you incorporate your basketball and track knowledge into football?
Carlton Swopes: Playing basketball in high school I really didn’t practice any basketball fundamentals. Everyone just wanted to see me jump and dunk the ball. So, I transfer my amazing leaping ability to any jump balls.With track, it helps you maintain speed and actually teaches you how to run and what steps to take to speed yourself up. I transferred that on to the field also.
Joe Gaiter: Do you have any regrets?
Carlton Swopes: I have no regrets whatsoever. My life is in God’s hands and my life is already written.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Carlton Swopes: I want to go down as one of the greats to ever touch a football and just being a genuine person all around with nothing negative associated with my name.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Carlton Swopes: I appreciate the interview and you taking the time out to do this. Once again thank you and to all that’s reading have a blessed one. #DoItFor10
