NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Mason Kinsey, WR, Berry College

•  Name: Mason Kinsey
        •       Height: 6’0
        •       Weight: 195
        •       Position: WR
        •       College: Berry College
        •       Twitter: @MasonKinsey87

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?
        •        I come from a small country hometown in Northeast Georgia. Habersham County treated me well growing up and in love that everyone knows everyone. It kept life simple. 

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?
        •        Practice, Film Study, and Strength & Conditioning. I say practice first because if you don’t understand concepts, plays, and coverages in practice then you won’t be able to look for open spots and disadvantages of a defense in the film room. Knowledge in the film room comes from your practice clips, and getting a overhead view of the looks and routes you have ran in practice. No practice = No film. I put strength and conditioning last, not because it’s the least important, because being strong and fast are a big priority in football. However, there are many players in the league today that were told they were “too small and too slow.” If you can play, you can play. Doesn’t matter how strong or fast you are. 

What do you worry about, and why?
        •        Living out Gods plan for my life. I often wonder if the plan for myself matches with the plan God has for me and it’s a hard concept to grasp. I say this because what I want might not necessarily be what I need. It’s a hard pill to swallow. 

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?
        •        I always refer back to my 7th grade basketball team. It was my first year ever playing basketball and I got cut from the team. I was devastated because I was so used to being the best at things athletically that it caught me by surprise. I was determined to come out the next year and prove everyone wrong. I was in the gym 3 or 4 times a week for the next year and made my eight grade basketball team. I not only made the team but out of 3 middle schools I was the third leading scorer in the county and went on to play varsity basketball and average 12 points per game as a junior and 18 points a game as a senior. I also received all-region recognition. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
        •        My work ethic. I pride myself on being the hardest worker wherever I go. I not only push myself, but I push the people around me to give 110% all the time. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
        •        Cal Lewellyn- First team All American CB from Centre College.
What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 
        •        I would be a sports broadcaster or coach football. I  double major in Sports Communication and Sports Administration so it gives me the flexibility to do both. 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?
        •        My room stays clean because that is where I spend a lot of my time. I am a beast freak so they all stay clean for the most part. I would say room just because thats where you start and end your day. I try to set myself goals everyday and making my bed in the morning or sweeping the floor is a “win” to start my day off the right way. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?
        •        I think my family member would rather me save the three people. You have to consider the people that love those 3 strangers as well. How many people would it affect if one person died compared to one? If you chose your family member I believe it would be the more selfish answer. I would save the three people.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?
        •        Flash. I have always wanted to be fast. Who wouldn’t want to be the fastest man alive? You could go anywhere in a matter of seconds. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?
        •        Probably not having offers to play college football until after signing day. I thought I was going to have nowhere to play and Berry and a few other schools found me last minute. I just kept my nose to the grind and prayed for an opportunity. It finally came and I believe I’ve made the most of it. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?
        •        Thats a great question. I don’t really get embarrassed easily so its hard for me to say.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?
        •        The touchdown against Centre my Junior year with 1:30 left on the clock. It put us up by a touchdown. Or, the two point conversion against Millsaps to go into overtime.

What song best describes your work ethic?
        •        Dreams and Nightmares- Meek Mill

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level?
        •        I feel like I am smart and I run good routes. I can read coverages pre snap well and can put myself in a situation to make a play with my route running ability.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?
        •        MLK- Just to see if he could bring even more change and peace to the culture we live in today.

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

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 
        •        Right now I would say Kenny Golladay WR for the Detroit Lions is making a good case.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

        •        I don’t care to be liked. People don’t even have to know you to like you. Respect is earned and hard to attain. So, respect.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?
        •        Josh Gordon. You can tell he wants to continue playing football but he is weighted down with addiction and depression. It’s tough to see because at his best he is a top 10 WR in the league. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?
        •        I hate to lose because I love to win. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?
        •       My parents. They have been there with me through everything and continue to keep me accountable in all aspects of my life. It’s hard to find people that will sacrifice as much as they have. I’m forever thankful for everything they’ve done for me. I don’t know where I would be without them.