Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Zay Britt: Football means the world to me. Football has been my scapegoat from everything in life. Football is the one thing that makes me question certain decisions I make regarding my life and the way I carry myself.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and tell us about your childhood?
Zay Britt: I grew up in Talladega County, Alabama. I have stayed in all the cities within the county. I grew up with an older sister and a younger brother. I grew up mostly being raised by a single mother due to the fact my father was incarcerated most of my childhood. My childhood consisted of just playing in the yard every day with my brother and cousins.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about playing at Munford High School
Zay Britt: Some of the best memories I have playing football happened at Munford High School. I remember after the season as a freshman and MaxPreps announced their Freshman All-American team. The love I got from the community was crazy to me & still is to this day.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about the house fire and how that impacted your life at the time.
Zay Britt: The house fire didn’t affect any aspect of my life besides football and personal relationships. The way the community responded to knowing the house fire was going to probably lead to me moving, was unexpected on my end. It was a total flip from the community they were just a year ago. Just scrolling and seeing what the folks I grew up with and the others who were positive figures in my life had to say messed with me mentally. It was a lot to try to understand being 16 years old because all I wanted to do was ball. It made me genuinely look at football as a business.
Joe Gaiter: Was it hard to adjust to your new school? What are your fondest memories of Oxford High School?
Zay Britt: I wouldn’t say it was a hard adjustment at all. I believe the challenge was earning respect from my new teammates because I think they felt I was just an overhyped athlete who was moving in. My fondest memories at Oxford all happened during my senior year. Winning the state championship and being named MVP for the game tops the list. During that year we beat the two teams: Pinson Valley and Clay Chalkville, whose shadow we were in.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose UWG?
Zay Britt: Recruiting had its ups and downs throughout my high school career. In the beginning, I was top 3 in the nation in my class at my position and was highly recruited until I moved. My production on the field went down in terms of stats, I wasn’t involved in the offense as I was at Munford. Most schools backed out on me when it was time to sign or either offered a PWO. UWG ended up being one of my only options so I committed.
Joe Gaiter: What are some of your stats from last season?
Zay Britt: I had 32 receptions, 444 yards, and 2 touchdowns. I averaged about 14 yards a catch.
Joe Gaiter: Are you enjoying your time at West Georgia?
Zay Britt: It has been a learning experience for sure. I am grateful for West Georgia most definitely.
Joe Gaiter: How would you describe your style of play as a receiver?
Zay Britt: I think I am one of the most versatile players to step on a field. I believe my style of play is similar to Deebo Samuels. I can catch screens and take it the distance or I can run by you down the field but I can also line up in the backfield at running back. And with me being able to actually throw the football 55 plus yards with accuracy, I could possibly play quarterback. I think my body frame being more in line with running backs than receivers helps with my versatility.
Joe Gaiter: What impact would you say you have had at UWG?
Zay Britt: I think the impact I have had at UWG right now would be just bringing a new wave of football to the school. I think the way the offense has carried itself will speak for itself.
Joe Gaiter: What coach has impacted your life the most and why?
Zay Britt: Darrell Lebeaux, my OC from Munford High. With him it was never just about football. He always showed he cared more about how my whole life turns out, not just how I turned out as a football player. Still to this day, I stay in touch and ask for tips.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and what do you plan on doing with it?
Zay Britt: My major is Mass Communications specifically Video Productions. I want to be a videographer and plan on starting a video production business.
Joe Gaiter: How have you overcome adversity on the field?
Zay Britt: Through everything this game throws at me, I just put my head down and grind. Make the most out of every opportunity. The cream always rises to the top of the cup.
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation on the field?
Zay Britt: My motivation is everything I have overcome and my family.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Zay Britt: My untold story is AL.com wrote an article about me from being homeless to State Champion. I just want to put out there at the time I was not homeless just house less. I wasn’t living on the street or anything for the time we were houseless.
Joe Gaiter: Where and with who will you be training with over the off season?
Zay Britt: I’ll be around to a few trainers that I know personally. I’ll be in Gulf Shores at the beach some with Marquise Elston, I’ll probably train in Birmingham for a few weeks with Darrell Lebeaux.
Joe Gaiter: Are you are your prime yet or do you still have room to grow
Zay Britt: I believe it is always room to grow. I believe whether you’re in your prime physically, mentally, or spiritually there’s always room to grow in one of those aspects.
Joe Gaiter: How is your mental health?
Zay Britt: My mental health is great right now. I believe I am surrounded by friends and family who actually care about what type of head space I’m in. I think mental health is more important than any of the physical things that comes up in this life. If anyone is dealing with any type of mental health, I suggest you get in contact with someone who will listen and help you get the help you need.
Joe Gaiter: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
Zay Britt: I would say my biggest accomplishment in life was graduating high school and enrolling in college. Where I’m from it’s a thousand athletes who have the ability to play at the college level but the majority are still at the crib doing something they don’t love.My biggest accomplishment on the field I would say is being able to say I was an All American and a State Champion MVP.
