Sophomore Jamir Conn (4) shares thoughts on his native Kansas City, his sports fandom and his desire to improve his game. (Photo by TheSouthern.com)
By Dan Verdun
Southern Illinois University has featured bobblehead giveaways at select home football games the past two seasons.
Last year, former Saluki turned NFL safety Jeremy Chinn was featured. This season, SIU handed out 1,000 Brandon Jacobs bobbleheads prior to its Oct. 5 game with Illinois State.
Which Saluki great should be featured next season?
“P.J. Jules,” sophomore cornerback Jamir Conn told Prairie State Pigskin.
Conn, a true freshman a year ago, saw Jules up close and personal in his final season in Carbondale before heading off to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.
“P.J. plays the game the correct way,” Conn said. “No matter what he does, it’s always full speed and always hard. It didn’t matter if he made a play or a mistake, it was full speed.”
Conn said that he learned plenty from Jules.
“I watched P.J. work out,” Conn said. “Every day was a grind. That showed me what I have to do and what I have to be to get to that next level.”
Those workouts weren’t limited to the season.
“I was an early enrollee,” Conn said. “During the summer, we were at the field all the time. We were out there all day working on guarding receivers, working on slide releases, whatever, in 100-degree heat. We were just working.”
But, Conn isn’t just all about football. The Kansas City native shared his love for his hometown, family and Halloween.
Get to know Jamir Conn in our Moving the Chains Q&A.
What made P.J. Jules such a great player?
He’s physical. He’s the most physical player I’ve seen in my life. That also makes him one of the most exciting players.
What is your favorite place to go back to in Kansas City?
My old high school (Lee’s Summit North). I like to go work out there and see my old teammates.
What are a few must-see places to visit in Kansas City?
The Plaza, there’s a lot of different places to shop and a lot of different food to eat. Try to make it downtown at night. Kansas City is known for its fountains. There is a lot of beautiful scenery.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I have three siblings, one older sister who played basketball in college. Out of high school, she went to TCU and she finished her career at Houston.
There’s my older brother and a younger brother, who just started playing football.
And, of course, my parents (Corneal Conn and Nafeesa Fajr).
When you face some tough times, who do you turn to for guidance?
My mother or I get in my Bible. That’s one thing I do when I’m looking for a way to go. Sometimes I go to my older brother.
What was your favorite class in high school?
Probably health. There were a lot of funny people in there honestly. But my favorite subject was science. I really liked science. I really enjoyed dissection.
What has been your favorite college course you’ve taken so far?
Science again. I’m in zoology right now. The labs are fun. We have them every Tuesday. I enjoy looking at things under the microscope. It’s pretty cool.
I like to actually do things and use my hands.
When you take notes, do you prefer taking them by hand or on a laptop?
By hand. I definitely learn easier when I write it down by hand. That’s what I’m accustomed to, even in my (football) meeting rooms. When I write things down, it’s easier for me to remember.
Which of your teammates asks the best questions during positional meetings?
(Safety) Cejai Parson. He’s a very smart individual. He knows a lot of things. He really knows the game. He knows our entire defense from the linebackers to the safeties to the corners. He knows everybody’s job.
Which of your teammates would always go out of his way to recycle?
Either (linebacker) Colby Ryan or (defensive end) Joe Brumleve. They’re both farmers, so they really care about the environment.
What hobbies do you have?
Nothing too unique. I like to work out a lot, probably way more than the average person. I like to play games with my friends or listen to music. I like cooking.
Do you have a specialty?
I wouldn’t call it a specialty, but I really like making steak. I like my steak medium-well. My dad always got it really well done because he doesn’t like any pink, but I’ve grown out of that.
What would you rather see — a Royals World Series title or another Chiefs Super Bowl championship?
Chiefs, for sure. That wasn’t hard to answer.
How long have you been a Chiefs fan?
My whole life. Back when we had (quarterback) Matt Cassel. Jamaal Charles. Eric Berry. Tamba Hali.
Do you have any Chiefs jerseys?
I used to have a Dexter McCluster jersey. I have a Jamaal Charles jersey, but it’s too small. I have a Tyrann Mathieu jersey from when he was a Chief.
No Patrick Mahomes jersey?
Oh, I’ve got a Mahomes jersey.
If money weren’t an object, what is the jersey you would love to have?
That’s a tough one, but I’d say an old Penny Hardaway jersey or the old Dominque Wilkins jersey. I love that yellow in those old (Atlanta) Hawks jerseys.
If we could put you in a time machine to go back and witness any historical sports moment, what would you choose?
When Wilt (Chamberlain) scored 100 points (in a 1962 game). I need to see if it was real.
Did you play some basketball in your day?
Oh, for sure. Both of my parents coached basketball. My dad used to coach in high school, and my mom is currently a coach at a junior college.
How did you end up in football?
I’ve always really loved football. That was the first thing I was really good at, so I just kept pushing toward it. My mom put me on my first flag football team, the Bravehearts. That was always fun, running the ball and scoring touchdowns. From then on, it was just love right there. Those were the days.
How old were you then?
I was in kindergarten.
When did you first play tackle football?
First grade. I still talk to some of my teammates from then. They’re still some of my best friends.
Now that you’re older, do you think kids should play tackle football that early in life?
They should, depending on how the coaches are. I was blessed to have great coaches all throughout my career. If kids start early learning the (proper) basics, from then on they should be fine.
What are some things you learned early on that remain with you?
Work ethic. My (youth) coach did not play around at all. You had to listen. I learned footwork and how to carry the ball. How to make a tackle correctly. All these things I still use today.
Another thing is you don’t talk on the sideline. That did not fly with my coaches. Even today, I still think back to that. If a coach is talking on the sideline, even if other (players) are talking too, I’m listening to the coach. That’s all I’ve known.
What is the strength of your game?
My physicality and my technique. You have to be, especially if you’re not like 6-3 or 6-4. You have to be very technical to be successful, especially in a league like this.
What have you improved on in the last year?
Being calmer at the line when I’m pressing (a receiver). Learning how to play though the hands and getting off blocks. I’ve grown a lot.
All summer and even during the season, I get extra reps. That experience helps me to be more comfortable, and I remind myself to be calm. You don’t want to let the receiver dictate the pace. You want him to play at your speed.
What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
I was usually either a ninja or a Power Ranger.
What is the silliest costume you have seen someone wear?
Somebody was a tomato.
What was your favorite Halloween candy?
Skittles. I loved Skittles since I was little.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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