WASHINGTON – Kendall Fuller grew up in Baltimore, went to Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Montgomery County, and attended Virginia Tech before the Washington Redskins made him their third-round draft pick. He’s about as local as a player gets.
He’s also the fourth Fuller brother to be drafted by the NFL, starting with safety Vincent (Tennessee Titans, 2005), wide receiver Corey (Detroit Lions, 2013) and, most recently, cornerback Kyle, whom the Chicago Bears drafted 14th overall in 2014. They also all attended Virginia Tech.
Like Kyle, Kendall is a cornerback. Unlike Kyle, he will be playing his pro ball some 30 miles down I-95 from home.
He and his father, Vincent, Sr., talked with Medill News Service about playing close to home, being the fourth brother in the NFL (a distinction that applied to only Keith Browner before he was joined by both Fuller and Glenn Gronkowski this season), recovering from a knee surgery and what Redskins fans can expect from Kendall Fuller.
Medill News Service: How do you feel about starting your pro career so close to home?
Kendall Fuller: It’s definitely exciting just to still be around the area, be able to have family, friends come to the game, things like that. Definitely exciting. Right now my main focus is going out there, playing football, getting healthy, taking it one step at a time.
Vincent Fuller: I guess I would say it would be a mixed reaction. Being close to home is great. My other three boys were all far away from home. With him being right up the road, it’s a good thing.
But we’ve still got to share the love! My wife and I still have to share the love. Even though he’s right up the road, we can’t just make it up to all his games; Corey is still playing in Detroit and Kyle is still playing in Chicago so we have to make their games as well. But Kendall is extremely close to home. Even the conference that he’s playing in; you’re looking at Philly, the Giants, Dallas, and Washington. The only one we have to get on a plane for is to go to Dallas.
MNS:You’ve said you were always a fan of the teams your brothers played for. Did you know a lot of Redskins fans growing up?
KF: Growing up, being in Baltimore, everyone was pretty much a Ravens fan. Once I went to high school and college, everybody in that area was kind of Redskins fans.
MNS:Do you expect to have a lot of ticket requests on Sundays coming up this season?
KF: People definitely mention it, being so close. But I kind of just – I wouldn’t say avoid it right now, but just wait until the times come to worry about.
VF: People have been reaching out. Not really (about) tickets for games, that’s probably going to be coming down the road once the season starts. But people in the community, in the Baltimore area that knows our family, they’re definitely reaching out to us, congratulating my wife and I for such a fine job we did with our boys.
MNS:You’re the fourth of your brothers to be drafted and play in the NFL. How did that help you prepare?
KF: Just having that knowledge and insight from guys who have been there at that level, just talking to them, having that idea, a picture in my mind before I go up in there, learning from their past, their experiences, things like that.
VF: I knew it was going on because they’re extremely close. With them all playing for the same university. The ones that played on the defensive side of the ball, with them all playing for the same defensive coordinator, I just knew it was going on.
MNS:A lot of people compare you to Kyle. Growing up as his younger brother, how would you say the two of you compare?
KF: We’re alike in a lot of the ways: on the field, off the field, really just from me learning from him, watching him, I’d say we’re definitely more alike than different. I wouldn’t say there’s too much different about us.
MNS:A lot of analysts have said you’re the most naturally talented of the Fuller boys; what do you think of that?
KF: I think that’s just a product of me being able to learn from all of them, them being able to teach me certain things. I’m lucky enough to be the youngest one and being able to learn from all of them.
MNS:Vincent, watching Kendall grow up, what did you expect from him?
VF: To be honest with you, I just expected the same thing out of him as the other three. In terms of comparing his talent level to the other three, it was equally the same or better. The expectation was the same. You know, you just have to follow their footsteps, always doing the right thing.
MNS:Kendall, a lot of people project you to play in the nickel, or even a Tyrann Mathieu-type safety role. Where do you think you fit best?
KF: Anywhere. I think I can just play anywhere on the field. Outside, inside, wherever the team needs me. Right now, I’m just focused on getting healthy, learning what I’m doing and making plays. And playing football will take care of itself.
MNS:What is your message to Redskins fans about the kind of player and person they can expect from Kendall Fuller this season and for the years to come?
KF: I don’t like to say too much – I just like to stay low and work and let my play do the talking – but a guy that’s just going to work hard. Work hard coming in and that’s willing to learn. A guy that wants to win.
Home page feature photo copyright Eli Christman, edited and used under Creative Commons.