Malik Britt, Mount Union, Interview with Joe Gaiter

Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?

Malik Britt: Football to me is about doing something I love to do. It’s fun and it definitely brings me peace.

Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?

Malik Britt: I moved around a lot because my dad was in the military. Ohio, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia . It was difficult as a young kid to move schools every 1-2 years. It definitely helped me when I got older. Being able to be comfortable with many different types of people.

Joe Gaiter: How did you begin your football journey?

Malik Britt: I started playing when I was five years old in Cincinnati, Ohio after I told my mom I wanted to play while watching a NFL game.

Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about Airline High School?

Malik Britt: My senior year at Airline was all l could’ve wanted. I was a first team conference and city wide receiver. Voted team captain and offensive  MVP. I also on the track placed third in the state for the 300 hurdles.

Joe Gaiter: Why did you choose the University of Mount Union?

Malik Britt: The connections they have with the NFL along with the great coaching staff, facilities and teammates I have. It felt like somewhere I could compete for a spot, where it wasn’t handed to me.

Joe Gaiter: Mount Union was 11-1 last season. What were the keys to your team’s success?

Malik Britt:  We had a great offense that had two NFL caliber players with a very fast and aggressive defense . Anytime you have team speed good things will happen.

Joe Gaiter: What makes you such a dynamic Defensive Back.

Malik Britt: What makes me dynamic is that I have good size and speed for my position with a good feel for the game of football. I can cover and also play in the box to make tackles .

Joe Gaiter: What lessons have you learned from the graduating seniors?

Malik Britt: You can have all the talent in the world on a team but if we aren’t together it won’t work.

Joe Gaiter: How do you mentally get ready for gameday?

Malik Britt:  I watch a lot of film during the week and try to simulate the game in my head . As the game gets closer I just try to relax and think about making game changing plays .

Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?

Malik Britt: I double major in sports business and business management at Mount Union. I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to do with those but I have a lot of options. I may have a job lined up after graduation. I just have to wait and see.

Joe Gaiter: Who would you say has helped you developed your skills?

Malik Britt: Donnell Britt for introducing the game to me, Giovanni Ruffin my strength trainer when I back home and Aaron Johnson who helped me with my feet work.

Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your track and field career?

Malik Britt: I started track my senior year of high school. I won district and regionals easy and made it to state. I hurt my hamstring so I wasn’t at 100% for the state meet but I still managed to place 3rd and 4th in the two hurdle events. College track was an adjustment higher hurdles and racing  dudes who only run track was hard . My freshman year I was on the 4×100 team that made it to nationals. We placed Ninth but it was a great experience . I retired from track this season as I was nursing some football injuries .

Joe Gaiter: How does it feel to win 2 times National Championships

Malik Britt: I won both of them my freshman year in college which was amazing . One in football and the other being in Outdoor track . It’s something I will remember forever because I never won a championship growing up .

Joe Gaiter: What game are you most looking forward to next season?

Malik Britt: I’m ready for all of them if I’m being honest . The team I really want to play against is Heidelberg University . They had the second best pass offense in the conference last year but it was rainy. I want to see how our dbs stack up against their wideouts .

Joe Gaiter: Who are some other athletes we should watch?

Malik Britt: Derrick Bradley , Derrick Harvey Jr, Wayne Ruby (All Mount Union), Micah Dunn (Louisiana College), Josh Smith (Mcmurry University).

Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?

Malik Britt:   Someone I can look back on in twenty years and say he made an impact on the field .

Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?

Malik Britt: I was born premature. I’m not even supposed to be living right now . The doctors said I wouldn’t make it and that I wouldn’t be able to function correctly . It’s just a blessing to be able to play sports because I know a lot of kids in the same situation don’t get to do the same things I do.

Joe Gaiter: Final Words?

Malik Britt: Thank you for this interview.

Joe Gaiter: Shout outs?

Malik Britt: Shoutout my Mom (Yulanda) and Dad (Donnell) ,My Brothers (Malcolm) (Malachi) and my sister (Malia) all my family and my friends they know who they are . Love you all.

@ Malikbritt_