Life & Football w/ Dez Tell

Here I chat with former Louisville Cardinal Dez Tell, we chat about his time as a Cardinal and more ⬇️

C: When did you first fall in love with the sport of football?

D: I fell in love with football when I was about three years old. It’s really all I’ve ever known. Growing up, the game was my escape and my passion. I loved the energy, the competition, and just the feeling of being out there on the field playing with my brothers.

C: What was childhood like for you growing up, and where are you from?

D: I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, with both parents as part of my journey. My childhood was full of energy, a lot of playing sports, being outside, and learning from the people around me. My little sister has always been one of my biggest motivations. I always wanted to set a good example for her. And I had a close group of friends I grew up with who I still consider my brothers to this day. We all pushed each other to stay out of trouble, work hard, and chase what we wanted in life.

C: What was your college recruitment like, and what was your overall experience like as well?

D: My recruitment process was exciting but also stressful at times. I had a few schools showing love, but Louisville showed the most love, and it stood out the most because it felt like home. My experience was great; I definitely wouldn’t change anything about it.

C: What does being a Louisville Cardinal mean to you?

D: Being a Cardinal means family. It means pride, toughness, and representing something bigger than yourself. Louisville gave me a platform to grow and compete at a high level, and I’ll always be proud to say I wore that red and black. L1C4.

C: What’s it like to be coached by Jeff Brohm?

D: Coach Brohm is the definition of a player’s coach. He understands what it takes to win and knows how to get the best out of his guys. He’s passionate, detail-oriented, and keeps it real; that’s something I always respected.

C: What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

D: Tearing my shoulder my sophomore year was probably the toughest. It ended my season and really tested my mental strength. I had to learn patience, discipline, and how to bounce back stronger both physically and mentally.

C: What would you say are the pros and cons of being a college athlete?

D: The pros are definitely the brotherhood, the exposure, and the chance to play the game you love at a high level. The cons are the pressure and the constant grind. Balancing school, football, and life isn’t easy. But in the end, it teaches you a lot about responsibility and resilience.

C: Did you always play defense as a football player?

D: Not always.  I played a few different positions growing up, but defensive line always felt the most fun. I loved the physicality and the mindset it takes to dominate on that side of the ball. I also love to do the hitting and tackling.

C: What was it like for you to play in front of a packed house at L&N Stadium?

D: Man, it’s a feeling like no other. When that crowd gets loud, the energy is unreal. You feel it in your chest. It’s moments like that you dream about as a kid playing under the lights in front of thousands of fans. Especially a night game, you feed off us the crowd’s energy.

C: What are you up to nowadays since your college days are over with?

D: I’m still training and preparing for the next opportunity in football. Outside of that, I’m working on building my brand and building more connections while I have time. I always believed in setting myself up beyond the game.

C: What was your degree of choice while attending the University of Louisville?

D: I graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. I have always been interested in understanding how the system works and finding ways to make a difference in the community.

C: What advice would you give to your younger self?

D: I would tell my younger self to work as hard as you can, stay patient, and trust the process. Keep trust in God; he won’t steer you the wrong way. Don’t let setbacks define you; they are just setups for comebacks. You can do anything you put your mind to with discipline and consistency.