Western Illinois defensive tackle Brian Bruce talks fashion, football, math, cookies and more in our Moving the Chains Q&A feature. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
As a fifth-year senior defensive tackle at Western Illinois, Brian Bruce has learned plenty of tips and tricks at his position.
He also has gained plenty of valuable knowledge off the field, like telling teammates how to find the warm cookies at Doubletree hotels when the Leathernecks are on the road. (Keep reading to learn the secret.)
A Chicago native who comes from a big family, Bruce appreciates the food in his hometown but says Macomb has plenty of options for all tastes. In fact, he’d like to take Macomb’s iconic Chick’s on the Square to the big city.
He has played in 33 career games for three different head coaches and still vividly remembers his first sack two years ago. Bruce stands out on the field with his play and also his minimal fashion choices, which includes game pants pulled up above his knees.
Get to know Brian Bruce in our Moving the Chains Q&A interview:
You signed with Western in February of 2020? Why has WIU been such a good fit for you?
It’s special. There’s no other Leatherneck that you can find in the country. The name, the brand is real special. There are other Jaguars or things of that nature. There’s only one Leatherneck. I also like the homey vibes that you get here. The people are very outgoing. I really love it here.
This season’s roster lists you at 6-feet tall and 315 pounds. As a freshman, you were listed at 6-2. Where did those two inches go?
The measurement might have been off. (Laughs) Somebody needs to redo those again. I definitely got stronger and faster, though.
What’s the best part about playing defensive line?
I really enjoy the physicality. It’s either you win or you lose. The skill (positions), they have time to read what they need to do or backpedal off the ball. There’s no help on the D-line. We have to do our job instantaneously and we’ve got to be physical. If you lose the first step, you lose the play most of the time. I’m a physical guy. I like stopping the run. I like taking on double teams.
What is the most annoying thing about offensive linemen?
A lot of people say the holding. That doesn’t get to me too much. I’d say the dirty stuff after the whistle. They like to jump on my teammates that fall on the ground. I don’t go to the ground too often, though.
What are the three best things about Macomb?
The welcoming vibe of the people. There are lots of people who love to help and talk to you. I’ve had a lot of really good conversations with people in the community. I’d say the food. It’s a big plus. Even though the community is small, all of the restaurants are super good. I come from Chicago, where there’s lots of choices and a variety of foods. Macomb has it with the food, especially with Chick’s on the Square. That’s a staple. We need to bring it up to Chicago. (Laughs) Third, I’d say the support (from the community) and from the coaches.
What do you miss most about the city?
Just friends and family. I’m a big family guy.
How many friends and family did you have at the game against Northern Illinois in DeKalb?
I probably had about 30 people. I had 11 tickets (for family and friends). Then I had lots of friends and cousins who go to school there.
How big is your family?
I have one younger brother and two younger sisters. I have four uncles and six aunts. I got a lot of younger cousins, too. Everybody is growing up. Being the oldest and the first grandchild, it’s amazing seeing everybody else growing up.
What’s a dream career for you after college?
My mother graduated with a degree in software, IT and QA testing. She has worked for Chase and Bank of America. I’m following in her footsteps because I’m really good at math and problem solving. I’m completing my degree in computer science. I’ll probably be entering the job market if anything doesn’t come from the next level (pro football). If it doesn’t work out, I’ll work somewhere in the outskirts of Chicago. I hope to be in IT. I’d like to get one or two internships done before I leave (WIU). In the field, they’d rather have people with experience.
Do you have a rival team from high school that you still don’t like?
High school has been a long time ago. (Laughs) I played at Mount Carmel for the first two years (before transferring to Phillips in Chicago), so it was probably Brother Rice and St. Rita. We put a spanking on them a few times.
To friends or family members who don’t understand football, how do you describe a defensive tackle’s job?
I just tell them that there are guys that protect the quarterback and guys that are out to kill him. I’m one of the guys who’s out to kill him. (Laughs)
You like to joke around, but who’s a teammate that makes you laugh?
(Linebacker) Juan DelaCruz. We have the longest lasting connection. We have those moments where he knows how I’m feeling, and he’ll tell a little joke. I keep him on a good foot and he keeps me on a good foot.
Which Chicago restaurant would you like to bring to Macomb?
There are a few. I’d say Italian Fiesta Pizzeria (three locations in the city). I ate that growing up. One of the mainstream pizza places would be Lou Malnati’s. I’m a big Lou Malnati’s fan. Then, another small local spot is Baba’s (Famous Steak and Lemonade). They have gyros, cheeseburgers, pizza puffs and just a lot of late-night stuff.
You’ve had sacks in your career and you’ve blocked kicks, but which one is more memorable?
My first sack that I had was the biggest and best memory. I got playing time as a freshman and sophomore. It came off a stunt (against South Dakota State in 2022). I remember that I slanted out, hit the tackle and the play was for the defensive end to wrap inside. He wrapped inside and I kind of ricocheted off the tackle and everything opened up.
Do you have any hobbies?
I cut hair. Everybody on the team hits me up for haircuts. Sometimes they like to bum rush me on the last day before (classes start). I also draw a lot, and I tattoo. I have my own equipment. Those are two of my big things. I also like to watch a lot of old movies and all types of genres.
What’s your favorite tattoo you have done for a teammate?
I did a chest piece for one of our offensive linemen. (Current WIU defensive lineman) Tre Henry’s brother played here last year, Waylon Henry. That was the biggest project that I had. It took a little bit of time. I did it from shoulder to shoulder.
It was galaxy themed, so he had a spaceman, but the spaceman had a skeleton face. There were comets and shooting stars.
Did you play other sports in high school?
I wrestled at Mount Carmel for about two weeks. I wasn’t big on wrestling when I was growing up. I played mainly basketball, football and baseball.
What was your first car?
A 2013 Nissan Altima. It was tan. I drove that until the wheels fell off. I drove it my senior year of high school through about my junior year here.
Do you have a favorite place on campus at WIU?
The Union is one of the biggest focal points we have on campus. Outside the Union, there are grass fields and benches. One of my classes that I took last year, we actually built a few benches. I got to sit on the benches outside that I built.
In your time at Western, do you have a favorite roommate?
My favorite roommate was Shawn Lee. I lived with him my freshman year. He’s from (Downers Grove South High School) and before I came to Western, I met with Shawn and we hung out and got some Italian Fiesta together.
I grew a good relationship with him over the years. He had to stop playing football due to injuries. We’re going to keep in touch for life.
You always wear your uniform pants pulled up above your knees? How did that start?
I don’t wear a lot of apparel, like long sleeves, arm bands. I’m pretty simple. I’m not sure if it’s mental or physical, but I feel like (too much apparel) slows me down.
I’d rather just have on one layer, which is compression pants and then (game) pants. I like the basic socks. I don’t like to wear the long socks that are going to come up my leg. Eventually they’re going to fall down. I’m at a real physical position so I’m not there to be pretty. I’m there to get down and dirty. The pants (above the knees) makes me feel like I’m wearing shorts, like if I’m out playing basketball.
What’s your favorite meal on WIU road trips?
We get Chick-fil-A or pizza after a game. I’m a big cookie guy so I like the cookies that come with Chick-fil-A. Sometimes we stay at Doubletree hotels and they have those cookies (in the lobby). I had to tell (fellow D-lineman) Tre Henry one time, ‘These cookies that are laid out might be a little cold. You should go to the desk and ask them for some warm cookies.’ He was ecstatic about that and laughed at me like I was crazy.
Do you have a favorite stadium that you’ve played in during your career?
That would probably be Minnesota. It’s a big, dominant-looking stadium. I also like North Dakota. They got the dome and they do fireworks inside. They turn the lights off (for fireworks).
What’s one lesson you try to share with younger players?
Work hard and work through adversity. Everything’s not always going to be dark. You’re going to eventually find a light. Keep working and you’ll eventually find your way to that light. Like the coaches preach, put your head down and work on the field and in the classroom and good things will happen.
Who is an unsung hero in the Western Illinois football program?
The team photographer, Sarah Ritter (who serves as manager of the Photographic Laboratory in WIU’s Photography and Design Production department). I’ve been through four D-line coaches and three head coaches. She’s always been there. Every time we take our team pictures or personal pictures with our suit and tie on before the season, she remembers my name. It’s always a great time of the year when I see her. I know it’s time to work and it’s time for the season. She’s a good person.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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