University of North Carolina Athletics
A Conversation With Deon Dyer
September 22, 1999 | Football
Sept. 22, 1999
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Deon Dyer is 250 pounds of fury on the field, but off the field he's as gentle as they come. He cherishes his family and his friends, and loves being a college student.
He's a team leader who leads by example. Meet one of the best blockers in UNC's history.
TarHeelBlue: As a senior, do you feel more responsibility to be a team leader?
Deon Dyer: "I feel responsibility to keep doing what I've been doing, and maybe even do it better. I always had the kind of personality where I'm a team player. I love to see the defense make a good play, and I love to see the offense make a good play when I'm on the sideline.
"I learn a lot from the other seniors. You know, we've had guys get hurt and not be able to play and they'll tell you, 'Hey, it's your team. You guys have got to get the job done.'
"Coaches can just say but so much, and it makes a difference when a player reacts a certain way to another player. Sometimes it takes another player to get in your face and tell you you've got to get it going."
TarHeelBlue: Did your season-ending injury in 1997 make you appreciate football more?
Deon Dyer: "Yes, it really did. I only missed two games, but I really missed it. Watching from the sidelines and not being able to play is not too much fun."
TarHeelBlue: Did you play any defense in high school?
Deon Dyer: "I played linebacker. I used to love playing linebacker. I could never decide if I liked offense or defense better. I got just as hyped on defense as I did on offense. I kind of wanted to play defense here, but I don't think I was taught enough defense in high school."
TarHeelBlue: When did you start playing football?
Deon Dyer: "In the seventh grade. I weighed too much to play for the little league team, but it kind of worked out well. I played back-yard football with some of the big kids and it made me tougher. When those kids would come and get you, either you could fold or you could get tough. I was pretty good at back-yard football."
TarHeelBlue: Did you play any other sports in high school?
Deon Dyer: "Yes, I threw the shot put. I was pretty good at that. I won the Virginia state championship my senior year."
TarHeelBlue: Tell me about getting 301 yards rushing in a high school playoff game.
Deon Dyer: "Well (laughing), it was against one of my teammates, so that was real good. It was against Ronald Curry's team. We played against them two years in a row. We beat them my junior year, but lost against them in my senior year. I never dreamed that I could get 300 yards rushing in one game as a fullback."
TarHeelBlue: What's the longest run you've ever had from scrimmage?
Deon Dyer: "In high school I had a 99 yard run from scrimmage against Indian River. I was a bit out of breath after that. I had to sit down for a while."
TarHeelBlue: What is more fun, making a good run or a bone-crushing block?
Deon Dyer: "That's like trying to decide offense or defense. I didn't really develop a love for blocking until I was in high school. We played a Wing-T offense, so I did a lot of running and blocking. When I blocked, I realized I had the physical and mental ability to put a guy on his back. I didn't realize that at first, but when I did, I took advantage of it and began to like it.
"I love making a good block and seeing my tailback running down the field. It's like when the offensive line blocks for me and gets a good feeling when I pick up yards. I get a good feeling when my tailback picks up yards. It's a fun relationship to have."
TarHeelBlue: Do you like catching the ball?
Deon Dyer: "I love catching the ball. I only caught two passes in high school, since we ran the ball a lot. When I came here I realized I had to learn to catch the ball.
"It was hard at first, but teammates like (Chris) Keldorf and (Oscar) Davenport helped me out a lot. Na Brown also helped a lot. I'm a lot more comfortable now catching the ball. A good back needs to be able to run, block and catch the football."
TarHeelBlue: What's the hardest part of college football?
Deon Dyer: "The time management. I don't think anything on the field is hard. Being a college athlete requires a tremendous amount of time and effort on your part.
"Like right now I'm feeling tired, but I know I've got home work to do, so what you've got to do is manage your time well. I'll probably go home, sleep for a while, then get up and do my home work. It's all about time management.
"There's things pulling at you. You know, sometimes you'll want to go out, maybe go to a movie. Other than the coaches, there's nobody at your back like in high school. You've got to learn to manage your time well."
TarHeelBlue: What's it like to have Bulldog (George Smith) as your strength coach?
Deon Dyer: "Actually, it's fun. It was an adjustment at first, as was switching coaching staffs. I love Bulldog because he's honest with you, he's straight up with you.
"The thing about Bulldog is he's a team player, he loves his team. He'll do anything for us. Sometimes we'll give him a hard time, but it's all love. He's a funny guy.
"I've seen a picture of Bulldog when he used to lift weights, and I'm like, I can hardly believe that guy. I figured out then that he's the right guy to be our strength coach. He was big and all muscle."
TarHeelBlue: What's been the best part of your Carolina experience?
Deon Dyer: "I love this place! It's a very nice place. I'm not just saying that, I love this campus. The people are nice, and the professors are great. They're willing to spend some time with you.
"Living on campus is fun. I had an opportunity to move off campus, but I chose not to. I just love living on campus. It's a lot of fun.
"I'm a people person, and I love meeting people on campus. Everybody is willing to say hi to you. You know, I'll meet someone for the first time, and it's like we've been longtime friends.
"I really like going to Suttons Drug Store. That's a really cool place. I like going for breakfast, getting a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. For lunch I love their chicken strips. Suttons is my place."
TarHeelBlue: Tell me about your dog.
Deon Dyer: "I love dogs, I really do. I wish I could spend more time with the one I have at home. He's a Lab, and his name is Poochie. My brother named him. He's crazy, he's hilarious.
"Everybody asks me about Poochie. I always try to work his name in in an interview."
TarHeelBlue: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Deon Dyer: "When we first get to the stadium, I like to put my things in the locker room and walk out on the field, dream for a minute, and focus in on what I've got to do. That helps me out a lot, because if I don't I feel lost out on the field.
"I walk from one end zone to the other, and when I get to the far end zone, I kneel down and I pray. It's sort of like an every game thing. I have to pray. I love the Lord. I have a key chain that says 'I love God.'
"He helps me. I mean sometimes I don't have anybody else to talk to. Sometimes on the field I feel lost and don't feel comfortable, but whenever I pray, I feel like I belong there and I'm ready to go.
"When I get my wrists taped, I put the names of the people who mean the most to me on the tape. That's a real motivation for me. I love my mother and my grandmother to death. I have people at home who care about me, so I try to take them into the game with me if they're not here.
"My mom is like a cheerleader, she puts the jersey on and she and my Aunt wave the pompoms. I'm like, man, you guys are crazy, but I love it."
TarHeelBlue: Is there anything you would like for people to know about you?
Deon Dyer: "I'm a people person, I love being around people. I'm a really outgoing guy.
"I live by a lot of parables. It inspires me to hear a strong saying. I have something called The Honey and the Rock, it's like spiritual cards. You pull one and you read it. It gives me inspiration. It's like the Lord is speaking to me through the cards.
"When I think I'm having a bad day, I'll pull one out and read it and things don't seem so bad. What's bad is what's happening down east, now that's something really bad.
"I know I'm not perfect, so I keep His love in my heart and try to be the best person that I can be."
Joe Bray
TarHeelBlue.com
