Washington Redskins: One-On-One Interview With Great Ken Harvey

As any Redskins fan will tell you, linebacker Ken Harvey was not only one of the greatest Redskins of all time, he was one of the greatest guys off the field too. Best described off the field as humble, quiet, and polite, Harvey was also ferocious, recording 828 tackles and 89 sacks in eleven NFL seasons.

After an inspirational path of his own, Harvey prides himself on giving back to the community in any way that he can and continuing to promote the importance of social responsibility.

I was fortunate enough to talk with Ken about his current involvements, life after football, and what he thinks of the present day Redskins. I'd like to thank Bleacher Report for help making it happen and Ken Harvey for taking the time and the giving me the opportunity. More than just an interview with a great football player, speaking with a person like Harvey is truly gratifying.

Shae Cronin: Staying involved in the community after your retirement from football is commendable in itself. Can you briefly explain your role as the Redskins Director of Responsibility?

Ken Harvey: It’s more of a liaison between the team, players, and the community. I help the team within the areas of social responsibility, most recently with the “We Don’t Serve Teens” program.

“We Don’t Serve Teens” is a partnership between the Redskins and Diageo that works to spread the message about being safe when it comes to consuming alcohol. Obviously we’re looking to prevent teens from drinking alcohol and this time of the year is an important one to help get the word out.

Shae: Word has it that you’ll be checking IDs next week at the Redskins final home game against the Giants…

Ken: That’s right. On Sunday, Jan. 2, I’ll be at the club level concession stands through the second quarter and I’ll be checking fans’ IDs.

Shae: I find it hard to believe that someone would try and sneak by Ken Harvey with a fake ID…

Ken: Well, you never know, I might make someone’s day. [Laughs] You might get someone that’s a little older and you card them … they seem to enjoy that. But then again, I have to be careful with that because I’m old now too.

Shae: We’re only a few days away from the second-most dangerous holiday of the year in terms of alcohol-related incidences. What advice would you give to those planning on drinking this New Year’s Eve?

Ken: I think the main message is be proactive. Often times, drinking and driving is a reactive situation because one thinks they’re okay when they clearly shouldn’t be driving. But if you’re proactive and plan ahead, then things can be handled responsibly.

Some proactive ideas could be having a designated driver, making sure you have a taxi company’s contact information, having a friend pick you up, etc. Whatever the measures may be, make sure to do it in order to stay safe.

It’s also important to avoid putting others in dangerous situations. Often times we think that we’re only endangering ourselves when we choose to not drink responsibly, when in actuality we endanger others too. Everyone can be effected by your decision.

Shae: Do you talk to the team about being responsible during the holidays?

Ken: Not so much. They know me of course and the Redskins put their own message out there, but I’m there for added support. The team has their Director of Personnel and he’s with the players every day. I’m more of the sprinkles on the cake, so to speak.

Shae: According to a 2008 poll, more than 56 percent of high school seniors reported no recent alcohol use. Obviously you’re shooting for 100, but is 56 a satisfying number for someone, such as yourself, that is so involved in the movement?

Ken: It’s great. I think you start with a base and anything over 50 percent is a positive start. Now, with that foundation, you obviously look to build on that and it can be accomplished one life at a time.

You know, I hate seeing that accident on the side of the road or reading that article in the paper about a senseless act that could have so easily been avoided and it instead ends up effecting someone for the rest of their life.

Shae: Often times we hear about minors consuming alcohol under the supervision of their parents. While we understand that it’s wrong, what is your message to those parents that believe minors drinking under their own supervision is a safe route?

Ken: Even if it’s in your own home, under your roof, it’s the responsibility of the parent to make sure teens don’t drink. I can’t speak for every parent but I understand that there’s a reason why a law is implemented that prevents teenagers from consuming alcohol.

I’m not telling parents how to raise their kids or what they should or should not do, I’m just telling them to make the right choice.

Shae: With two sons of your own, do you find yourself harping on them all the time about being responsible?

Ken: Well they’re good kids. They hear it from me and they listen, but they hear it from other people too. It’s great to have positive reinforcement because your kids will listen to you and say, “Yeah, yeah,” but when it comes from other people whom they respect and it happens to be exactly what the parents say, then it all works out.

Shae: You’re the president and CEO of your own company, which also deals with social responsibility and making conscious decisions. What can you tell us about that?

Ken: As a company, my goal is to try and give back in any way that I can. Whether that be going to schools, reading to young ones, speaking publicly, I want to reiterate the importance of responsibility.

Being socially responsible became the rave that everyone was supposed to do or be a part of, but in my opinion, it should have never needed a rejuvenation. Rather than becoming a forgotten piece, it should already be a part of what you do whether it be as a business or as an individual. So to me, I’m merely doing something that should be done.

Shae: Although many are unfamiliar with your story, I know that your path as a kid in Texas to becoming an All-Pro NFL linebacker is quite inspirational. Would you say your past plays a major part in what you do now, in terms of giving back?

Ken: Definitely. At one time I actually got caught up in myself and recognized my personal accomplishments before I recognized others. But then somewhere down the line it hits you and I realized that I was successful because of the people that were around me and the supporting cast that I had.

It was the people that told me to go back to school. It was the people in college (particularly junior college) that gave me a meal when I was starving and had no money. It was the people that took the extra time in study hall to teach me how to do things myself rather than just give me the answers. It was the teammates along the way that knew they weren’t going pro but they went out and gave me their best shot because they wanted to see me succeed.

I just look back at all of the sacrifices by others and there’s no way I can say it was just me. It’s a lot of people doing a lot of things to help you achieve your goals and fulfill your destiny. It just inspires me to give back.

Shae: Amongst your speaking, motivating, directing, helping, etc., you were somehow able to find time and visit Haiti this past year to help with the relief effort. What was that like?

Ken: I was fortunate enough to again team up with Diageo and help take supplies down to Haiti after the earthquake. But I saw it as the same kind of thing I’m doing here, but this time it had to do with a entire country rather than the local community.

When I was there [ Haiti ], I just remember this sense of hopelessness and there are so many people just wandering around with really no idea of what their next step should be. At first, you immediately realize how grateful you are for what you have and to live in the United States. Then you realize that if you don’t have a dream, a vision, a hope—you too can end up wandering without direction. I wanted to help restore the hope in the people of Haiti.

And quite honestly, I was wandering at the start of my football career. I was lost. But once you pinpoint your destination and people are willing enough to help, you just work towards it. Once the disaster occurred, I knew Haiti was somewhere I could help.

Shae: Speaking of an early football career—do you think today’s young NFL players are ungrateful? Do you see any kind of decline in young player’s attitudes over the years?

Ken: What I think happens in the league is that you get to a point where the goal of the NFL has been reached and you didn’t really plan on any goals beyond that point. So you get this sense of, “I’ve made it,” and the mountain top has been reached. But if you don’t see it as just another point in life where you need to continue to set goals for yourself, then you begin to wander.

Personal goals should always be a part of you, whether it be getting better, becoming a better professional, being the best player, post-career aspirations, etc.

Shae: Being as successful as you are, you seem like you’ve had the ultimate plan. Do you remember when you had it all planned out?

Ken: Actually, no. [Laughs] And I appreciate your respect of me. But when I finished my playing career, and I’d like to think I had everything planned out, I was a knucklehead. I didn’t know anything. I realized that the things I faced as a kid came into play once again.

Football was done, it was great, but I didn’t know what to do next. I wandered around with no direction but I began to reflect and figured out that what I did in the past to overcome obstacles and set goals was exactly what I needed to do then.

And if you ever find yourself in that position, then you want to share it with others in order to try and help them as well. And at the end of the day, that’s me. I try to share any news that I have that I think may be able to help others.

I can tell you that I’m far from perfect, I make a lot of mistakes, but at the end of the day I try to be me and get a little bit better.

Shae: And shifting more towards the actual football side of things; do you think new head coach Mike Shanahan has this team going in the right direction. Are you buying into his culture change?

Ken: I think Shanahan has the right goals in sight. My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that Shanahan is attempting to change the mindset here in Washington.

The old mindset was that you come to Washington and you get paid. So, as a result, you get those kind of people with that particular mindset as the makeup of your team. Not saying that everyone was like that, but just a few can affect the team.

What Shanahan is trying to do is create a mindset that tells players they are going to come in here [ Washington ] and work hard while doing things his way—and it won’t be easy so be sure to bring the right attitude. I think that’s great and I agree with it 100 percent.

I also think that there is a thin line between being tough and being so hardcore that you’re not flexible enough to realize the talent you have. Once you realize the talent and you execute some minor adjustments, you can make a good team a great one.

I think he’s got it going in the right direction. The McNabb situation contained a thin line, but it’s going the right way.

Shae: From what I’ve heard, Shanahan came into the organization very tough and he relaxed a little bit as the year progressed. It sounds almost as if he was administering a test in order to remove the weak players and keep the strong ones intact.

Ken: And that’s what you have to do. You’re the new guy. Every coach, when I was playing ball, would come in and tell you how they do it and how things are going to go by their rules. And that’s fine.

Whether it be in football or business, you want people to buy into your mindset. It’s hard to rebuild and win at the same time, but you focus on rebuilding and you’ll get the other.

Shae: The Redskins defense didn’t exactly do well this season, ranking last in the league in terms of yards allowed per game. How important is it to have a pass-rusher, such as yourself, to get major pressure on opposing quarterbacks?

Ken: Well you have two primary guys coming off the edge but you need a force up the middle that can prevent the quarterback from stepping up in the pocket. Without that force up the middle, offensive lines will use the pass-rusher’s speed or strength against them and just ride the rusher right past the quarterback.

When you’re rushing from the outside, especially in today’s game, it’s so much about timing. You have to be so precise in your timing that once you hit the edge, you need to immediately redirect yourself to be in direct pursuit of the quarterback. If he has time to step-up, it makes it tough on the rest of the defense.

So I thought [Albert] Haynesworth could have really helped the team a lot by being a force up the middle and putting major pressure on the quarterback. That pressure forces the passer to play inconsistently or force passes into coverage, which will hopefully lead to more turnovers.

Shae: Do you see your style in any of current NFL players, pass-rushers in particular?

Ken: Orakpo. I think Brian Orakpo is a beast. The way he rushes the passer, the way he keeps his motor running, his speed – I think he can be a very good player. I see him as a dominant player, but everyone else has to do their job as well. In order for one player to maximize their potential, everyone else has to do the little things that help make the system run as a unit. So whether it be different players or more schemes, I see big things from Orakpo.