NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Joe Achour, DL, Shenandoah University

• Name: Joe Achour

• Height: 6’3

• Weight: 300 lbs.

• Position: DL

• College: Shenandoah University

• Twitter: @JoeAchour99

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• I grew in Burke VA, a place that was very family oriented. Education and sports were very important in the community, which in the long run was preparing us for adulthood. The city was a sports-based community and it pushed you to always strive for excellence in whatever sport you chose.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• Film first; because I want to be able to recognize the mistakes I’ve made on the field that day, because the only way you get better at your craft is to study and that’s what watching film is. 

Practice second; because practice enables you to take what you’ve learned in the film room and apply it to the field, and practice makes perfect. The better I am in practice the better I am going to be in game day. Practice is vital, repetition is key. 

Strength and Conditioning third; because if my body can not hold up, it doesn’t matter how many hours of film and hours of practice I’ve put in. The stronger my body and flexibility is the less opportunity I  have to be injured. The most important thing is to dominate the man in front of me , and strength and conditioning provides that.

What do you worry about, and why?

• I worry about making sure I’m prepared every time I step on the field. I want to make sure I give my best every snap. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• When I played RMC I didn’t get the sack; the way I reacted was being upset with myself, knowing I could have done better. I overcame failure by making sure nothing could happen like that again because of lack of effort. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My teammates say my best quality is that I’m always working hard to get better.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Jermaine Eluemunor

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• Coaching football, being around the game of football in some type of capacity.

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

• Room 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• My family member, because I could not live with myself knowing I let one of my family members die.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

•Vince Papale; from the movie Invincible, because like me he’s had a dream of playing football his entire life and did anything and everything to make that dream come true.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• My biggest adversity was not having a support system when I was younger. I overcame that by still striving and not giving up on my dream, which was to play football and one day be in the NFL.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• Not having the SAT score I needed to go D1 out of high school. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• At Pierce Junior College when I hit a running back so hard his helmet flew off. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Ambition by Wale, because without having ambition you have no work ethic. Without ambition you don’t get out of bed, don’t go to track on the cold days, don’t go to the weight room and outwork everyone else, ambition is what it takes to achieve your goals in life. 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

•Being coachable and the willingness to try whatever it is over and over again until I get it right.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• One of my best friends Shahm, because I love him and miss him and we had so many dreams and hopes of having families. Just so I can say good bye and tell him how much I love him.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• 4th and inches 

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Akiem Hicks

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected, because I respect myself and I am worthy of that respect. You don’t have to like me but you have to respect me.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Josh Gordon, because he was an excellent talent and seemed like a good person. But let substances control his life.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• Hate to lose, because if you hate to lose you love to win. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

•My mother because she has been with me through all my ups and downs, when some parents would have given up. Not being privileged as others, we were there for each other no matter what. Some people never have gotten to experience that relationship and I am grateful for it every day.