2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Chris Bustamante, WR, Lakeland University

• Name: Chris Bustamante
• Height: 5’6
• Weight: 165
• Position: WR,RB
• College: Lakeland University
• Twitter: @cb3_era 

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

•My hometown is El Paso, TX. It’s a city filled with a tremendouse amount of talent and hardworking people. I love the work ethic and support that the people in my city give. I am proud to say I came out of El Paso, TX.    

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

•I would put Strength and Conditioning first because you have to physically prepare your body for the demand of the sport and be able to perform at the level that is required of you. Second would be Film Study because you must first study your opponent and learn there strengths and weaknesses. last would be Practice because you then execute a plan that is put in place to beat your opponent.   

What do you worry about, and why?

•As a spiritual person I try to not worry about things with the understanding that the Lord will never leave my side or put me through anything I can’t handle. 

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

•I have failed more than a thousand times throughout my life. To me there is no success without failure. I pride myself on being a player that is always reliable to catch the ball but before I earned this reputation of being a reliable WR I had dropped so many balls in a attempt to perfect my craft. To overcome this failure I just kept working and enhancing my skill set.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•I like to say I make my teammates fill like there home and motivate them to chase their dreams regardless of the circumstances. 

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

•The best player I have ever played against would have to be Concordia University Chicago RB Lance Moise. After playing against him for four years I can say the kid definetly has pro talent and I respect him not just for his skill set but his humble attitude as well.  

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

•If I couldn’t play football my career would definitely be a Personal Trainer/ Coach. I personally love the game of football to much that I just can’t see my self stepping away from the game completely. 

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

•I would definitely have to say my car because I am always on the move and need to be in a setting that is clean. 

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

•I hope I’m never put in a situation like this but if I was I think my first thought would be to save the three strangers. The way I look at it is those three strangers have family as well and a lot more people would be effected if I chose to save my family member. I would be willing to bear the pain so that those three strangers can go back to their loved ones.  

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

•The first thing that comes to mind is Iron Man because of his ability to adapt to any situation or environment that he is put in. I would also say because of his ability to lead a team and ultimately sacrifice him self for the better of the team. I admire these traits and try to practice this in real life.

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

• Until this day my biggest adversity in life that I have dealt with is finding out my mom was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer this was really tough because my mom has always been one of my biggest supporters throughout my life. To overcome this all I could do is look to the Lord and have faith that everything will work itself out. To this day my mom continues her fight and I am blessed to still have her in my life. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•I will never forget this day but in the fourth grade I accidentally let out some gas while the teacher was reading a book and it was a little louder than I expected. The whole class began to laugh and I couldn’t help but to be embarrassed. lets just say it wasn’t one of my proudest moments. 

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

•The most memorable moments of my college career would probably not be what you expect. I could sit here and say it was when I scored my first ever touchdown of my college career or when I scored a crucial touchdown to bring my team back within two points during an elimination game. However, if I said any of these I would be lying. my most memorable moment would have to be when my team played Eureka College and I made a crucial stock block to allow my teammate Dezmond Eddie to score and Tie the game during a  huge elimination match. I am the type of person that loves to see those around me succeed. 

What song best describes your work ethic?

•I would definitely have to go with Grinding All My Life by Nipsey Hussle Because I absolutely will not allow anyone to outwork me. 

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

•I feel like the most important trait anyone can have is an insanely good work ethic. I feel like thats the only way to achieve greatness. 

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

•I would have to go with Nelson Mandela because I would love to sit down and talk to him about his life and what he went through. I think Nelson is a legend because he is actually one of very few who chose not to get revenge and make the world a better place. 

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

•Good Times  

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?

•I think Julian Edelman is the most underrated player in the NFL because his ability to run routes and create separation is very rare and his ability to consistently make plays and be a reliable wide receiver especially on third down is not talked about enough. I have Julian Edelman as a top five receiver in my book. 

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•I rather be respected because you have to understand that no matter what you do you will never get everyone to like you. However, you can get someone to not like you but respect you whether its because of your work ethic, skill set, or attitude. If your the best in the game at your position people have no choice but to respect you and thats where I’m trying to get at.  

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

•Even though its controversial I would have to say Colin Kaepernick because even though I might not agree with the way in which he went about things at the end of the day he was just doing something that he believed in. As a kid your taught to chase your dreams and go after what you believe.  

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

I hate to lose more then I love winning. 

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

•The biggest influence in my life by far has been my dad Daniel Bustamante. Since birth he has supported my decisions and installed values in me that I still follow to this day. Without my dad I wouldn’t be where I am today. If I ever had any doubt about anything he was quick to lift me back up an encourage me to keep grinding and chase my dream.