The Reese’s Senior Bowl released an interview with former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims over the weekend. Here’s some of what he said:
Q: Congratulations on your invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, playing the position that you play at the school that you play at, you’re going to receive a lot of attention down here whether it’s from the NFL teams, media or fans, how do you plan to approach that?
A: Just take it one day a time. I’m just very thankful that I have the opportunity to play in this game because I know a lot of great athletes have come through and played in it. There’s no greater place to play than in the state of Alabama, where I have played great games and I think it’s going to be a great time.
Q: What did it mean to you when you got that Senior Bowl invitation, what was your reaction?
A: I was very happy because I knew that other people had saw my talent. You really don’t know as a player how many people see your talent and it felt good that people liked the way I played and they’ve gave me an opportunity to play in the Senior Bowl because that was also a dream of mine to play in the Senior Bowl.
Q: I’m sure you didn’t notice this but you weren’t on our Senior Bowl preseason watch list and now you’re kind of like the poster-child for this year’s class of guys who weren’t expected to make it to the Senior Bowl but earned their way, how about that?
A: I think it’s great just for myself. I know my hard work has paid off. I thank my teammates because without them to help me to prove that I’m capable to play the position for the University of Alabama and for them to make plays when the call is played. I’m just happy that they had the opportunity and I’m happy that the Senior Bowl asked me to come.
Q: For some time this season, you were the starting quarterback for the No.1-ranked football team in the country, did you ever really process that?
A: it’s really just like it really just hit me now. I have had the opportunity to just sit down and relax with my family and friends and just talk about the season that we had. And as I was talking about it with my family I was like “wow, I really accomplished a lot of things this year that a lot of people didn’t think I would.” And some things I didn’t think I would be able to do. I’m just very blessed and happy for the teammates that I had and my offensive linemen they did a great job and I’m just glad that I had them in front of me.
Q: Other than that, what are you looking forward to showcasing at the Senior Bowl?
A: I want to show that I can throw the deep ball, I can throw any route. I can get the ball out of my hands very fast and whatever the coaches ask me to do I’m willing to do it to show that any coach can trust me being their quarterback.
Q: As you move on from Alabama, you finished with some single-season school records and all. How do you want to be remembered?
A: A guy that was humble. Willing to work hard for his team. A guy that was a team player. A guy that was a great leader and never put himself in front of anyone.
Q: I don’t think fans that listen to this would be happy if I didn’t ask you about Lane Kiffin. Do you have anything to say about him? It’s amazing how it came full circle for you.
A: I think a lot of people need to stop thinking so bad about Coach Kiffin. Coach Kiffin is a great guy that is willing to do whatever he has to do for his players. He’ll go over and beyond for his players. He makes you feel so comfortable in meetings. And even when you’re out on the field because you know that he’s going to prepare you so well during the week or during the offseason to make you a better quarterback. If I had another year with Coach Kiffin, I would be an even better quarterback than I was this year. For the next person that is his quarterback, they’ll be saying the same things.
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
