Q & A With Chad Owens [Video]
By World Wide Ed
For those of you who sent in your questions for CFL superstar Chad Owens, I was able to squeeze it in after my interview with him (see below). Thanks for interacting y'all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V92s3NfGCTM
[Big Jim]: Is pro football in Canada better than college football was in the WAC or high school football in Hawaii?
[Chad Owens]: Um, that's a tough question. I don't know if it's better. I don't know what he means, if he's talking about the skill level... It's football right? Anytime you get a chance to go out there and play the game, whether you're here in Hawaii, high school, college, at the professional level: NFL, CFL, Arena (Football) League... You do this because it's what you love to do. It doesn't matter where you are, if you get a chance to go out there and strap it up and play the game, you're gonna go out there and give it your all, and you're gonna enjoy those moments and that's really what I try and do. I try and enjoy that time when I'm out there because one day, it's gonna be all over, it's gonna be done, I'm not gonna be able to do it anymore, so yeah.
[Dean]: Hey Chad, been following you since the UH days. Congratulations on all your success! My question, what do you think are the most effective way to improve the lives of our keiki today and tomorrow through sports? Any plans on one day becoming a coach or mentor for children?
[Chad Owens]: I think the best thing that we can do as grown-ups, as mentors, as parents, is to just guide our children in the right way. And yes, sports is a great way to teach team concept and hard work and all those tools, but the children have to want to play sports. So one thing is you don't want to force them into sports. If it's something that they want to do then great, then you push them towards where they want to be, but the first thing and most important thing we can do for our children is to continue to be a great example for them first because growing up, they become what they see. They become what they're surrounded by so as parents, as mentors, we can just be great examples. And if they do end up playing sports, just continue to encourage cause there's a difference between criticizing, encouraging, disciplining, it's all kind of a fine line with all those things, but keep it fun for them cause that's always the number one thing for kids. They want to go out there and have fun so keep it fun, but keep them going and the main thing is that they work hard and they listen. And yes, maybe one day, down the road... Coach... I mean, we'll see. Who knows? I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring, so maybe one day. But thanks Dean (right?).
[rayboyjr]: Chad: Any possible re-entry back into the NFL?
[Chad Owens]: Um, if a crazy opportunity presented itself, possibly, but as of right now, my focus is on the Toronto Argonauts. It's going into training camp (for) another year. This coming 2013 season and being the best that I can be for my team. If I finish my career in Canada, which I most likely will, it'll be a great ride. The CFL has been great for me. I hope that answers the question.
[Debbie Bruce]: Aloha Chad, You are such a wonderful ambassador for Hawaii and such a positive influence on our youth. How do you feel about the Fan Aloha that follows you everywhere you go? Does it help feed your success?
[Chad Owens]: Well, this Fan Aloha that follows me everywhere I go... Debbie, that would be you! So thank you, mahalo, aloha. *blows kisses* We love you. It definitely helps. It goes back to the support that you get right? It makes you feel special. It really does. It makes you want to go out and work harder for the fans. That's what it is. If there are no fans, what's the sense of playing right? You go out there to entertain, you go out there to perform. We are performers in a way. In a professional way, we are entertainers. Although it's about winning games and winning championships and those things, but if there's no one in the stands watching, to me, it's pointless. So (to) the fans, thank you guys so much. Debbie, again, Aloha, and I'll see you in Toronto next week. I'm leaving on Sunday (5/26/13).
[@KsCollectables (Kevin)] : Hi Chad, as a child growing up did you fight in the back alleys, was it rough where you grew up? Did you always want to try MMA?
[Chad Owens]: I can't say that I fought in the back alleys, but I was always the smallest kid so anytime the bigger kids tried to bully me around, I had to let them know real quick that "Hey, I'm not afraid of you, so what you wanna do?" And somehow, some way, I always became friends with these guys that tried to bully me. I was always a little scrappy kid who wasn't afraid of anything, wasn't afraid of anybody. But I'm not saying that's how I decided to do MMA. MMA is a sport. It's not a backyard fight. Hopefully everyone understands that. It's not a backyard fight, it's totally different. It is a sport, there's techniques involved, you have to train. You can't just go in there and close your eyes and throw haymakers and expect to win. That fight inside of me, it helps me on the football field, it helps me in life, it helps me with everything I do, but thank you. Great question.
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* To read and watch my entire interview with Bruddah Chad, check out my AroundHawaii.com article "Chad Owens: A Born Fighter".
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My list of interviews with local celebrities be growin'! 
| Colbie Caillat |
| Shane Victorino |
| BJ Penn |
Let me know what other local celebs you think I should approach.
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For whatever reason, these types of posts typically don't get a lot of feedback below, so before I lose ya, just wanted to tell ya to stay tuned for another "Where In Hawaii?" game tomorrow (I hope!)! Shoooots!
Here's the real shot!
World Wide Ed
