Russ Kuhns Interview
August 30, 2005
by XBellevueplayar
No one could forget Bellevue's own Russ Kuhns who just eight seasons ago became one of Bellevue's all-time rushing leaders. The former Bellevue gridiron standout and former Wisconsin Badger sat down for an exclusive interview with RedmenRumble.com.
RedmenRumble.com: What is your greatest memory about playing for Bellevue?
Russ: "My greatest memory while playing for Bellevue has to be when we
stopped Tiffin from scoring in 1997 at their place. They were
in the redzone driving and we stopped them 4 straight plays.
Jason Nichols made a huge 4 down stop on their 4-yard line. The
next play I got the ball on an iso and took it the distance.
From there on we continued to poor it on them. We ended up
winning the game 30-6."
RedmenRumble.com: What is your least favorite memory while playing for Bellevue?
Russ: "My least favorite memory would have to be losing to Columbus
DeSales in the 1st round of the 1997 playoffs. We gave them all
they wanted, but we ended up losing the game 14-6. DeSales then
won 3 straight in dominating fashion to win the state title."
RedmenRumble.com: "How different is the game from High School to College?
Russ: "The game in college is much faster than high school. The speed
of the game was almost overwhelming at first, but after the
adjustment it felt the same. The players were much bigger and
stronger, but so was I. It panned out after a year or two. The
relationships with teammates in high school were much closer,
because the guys I played with I had known most of my life.
Nothing can replace playing the best game on earth with your
best friends."
RedmenRumble.com: What awards did you win during your career? (High School & College)
Russ: "I won two all-state awards (1st team offense 1997, 2nd team
defense 1996) in high school. I was all league as a sophomore
in 1995, 1st team 1996, and 1st team both ways in 1997. I was
also Northwest region offensive player of the year and MVP in
1997. In college I earned academic all-big ten honors. At
Findlay I was the Rookie of the year before going to Wisconsin."
RedmenRumble.com: If you could go back and change one football moment during your life, what would it be and why?
Russ: "I would not change any football experience in my life, because I
Feel that the entire football experience has made me the person
I am today, as a coach and in life. If I had never had to
overcome adversity, than I would be a much different person.
Yes, there are moments in football that I wish did not occur,
but they did. I ultimately appreciate the negative moments as
much as the positive in retrospect. I am sure that there will
be much more to come."
RedmenRumble.com: Describe your greatest football moment.
Russ: "My greatest football moment of all time would have to be when I
got to line up with my brother on offense in the backfield at
The University of Wisconsin. Almost every game I got to play at
least a couple snaps my junior year at UW with my brother.
These were third down and short and goal line plays. That will
be something I will never forget. Each time that happened I
would coin that as an ultimate moment during my football career."
RedmenRumble.com: What advice would you give to a young High School player today?
Russ: "I would tell any young high school player that nothing is
impossible as long as you put your full heart into whatever you
would like to do. If it is to play college football, you must
remind yourself daily about what you are trying to accomplish.
If you can look yourself in the mirror at night and say I did
everything I could to accomplish my goal today, then that goal
will be reached. Everyday, in anything you do, you either get
better or worse, you never stay the same. Set your goals high
and stay focused on the prize."
RedmenRumble.com: Do you have any future football plans (coaching, etc.)?
Russ: "My future plans are to become a college football coach, which I
have already started on. I am currently a Graduate Assistant at
Bowling Green State University. I will say that this is a game
I will coach and be around the rest of my life. For the past
year I have been coaching, and I know that I will never stop.
This is the best game on earth."
*We'd like to thank Russ for taking the time to allow us to do this interview and let fans know what he's been up to.
