Eastern Illinois cornerback NiJhay Burt has a team-leading three interceptions this season for the Panthers. He ranks second in picks in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
In his first game last season, NiJhay Burt grabbed an interception against Indiana State and returned it for a touchdown.
Weaving through Sycamores, Burt showed off the skills of a running back because, well, he was one.
“I do think about it sometimes. I miss it a little bit,” said Burt, who rushed for 35 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards as a senior at Steel Valley High School in Munhall, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh.
These days, Burt is the top cornerback at Eastern Illinois, where he ranks second in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association with three interceptions.
Burt, a junior, talked to Prairie State Pigskin about his school career, which teammate he’d like to take home to visit Pittsburgh, how his given name sounds, a go-to gameday breakfast and being from a big family.
Learn all about Burt in our weekly Moving the Chains Q&A feature.
From your hometown of Munhall, Penn., to Acrisure Stadium – home of the Pittsburgh Steelers – is about 9 miles. How many times have you made that trip to see your team?
Probably four times in my life.
What’s your earliest memory of watching the Steelers?
Even though we lost, I’d probably say Super Bowl (XLV, a 31-25 loss to Green Bay).
Who were your favorite players growing up?
I was a Steelers fan, but I had other players that I favored. I was a big Marshawn Lynch fan. For being a defensive back, I always thought I’d be a running back. I would see Marshawn Lynch running through these guys, and I said, ‘Why not?’ Him and Michael Vick were my two guys. … I cheer for (Steelers CB) Joey Porter Jr. a lot. I like him.
What was your childhood like in the Pittsburgh area?
It was nice. I’ve got a big family, so there was never a dull moment in the house. There was always something to come home to. That made me feel at home a lot. On my mom’s side, there’s five kids with me and my twin brother being the oldest. I have two little sisters and two little brothers. On my dad’s side – are you ready for this? – I’ve got 13 siblings. Thirteen! On my dad’s side, I’m the middle child.
Tell us about your twin?
My brother Nyzair, he’s a carpenter back home in Pittsburgh. He played football at first, but he wanted to pursue something else. I respect it. I told him, ‘You can build me a house.’
If you took a teammate back home to the Pittsburgh area, what are three things you have to do or see?
I’d take our punter (Jacob Horvath), who’s from Australia. First, I love food. So, we’ve got a hit a food spot. We’ve got Primanti Bros., Burgatory or some type of Chinese spot. I’d take him downtown to see the city. At night, Pittsburgh is real beautiful. I’d show him the (Roberto Clemente) bridge near the Pirates stadium and the Steelers stadium.
Rank these three well-known Pittsburgh foods: a colossal Primanti Bros. sandwich, a pepperoni roll and a Pittsburgh Salad (with fries).
I’m going to go salad last. Primanti Bros. first and the other one second. I love Primanti’s. There are so many options to get. They’ve got the burger, the wings. They’re probably the best wings in the city. I get 12 bone-in wings, lemon pepper, with a cheeseburger and a lemonade.
So you don’t go for the giant sandwiches with meat, cheese, fries and coleslaw all together?
No, I’m a little picky. (Laughs) I don’t need all that.
In high school, you were the conference offensive AND defensive player of the year at Steel Valley High School. What do you miss about playing running back?
Meeting guys in the hole and just juking them. Outrunning everybody. Sometimes, lowering the shoulder. I do think about it sometimes. I miss it a little bit.
In the past two seasons, EIU is 2-0 against Indiana State and you have had three interceptions combined in those two games. One was a pick-six. Did the running back come out in you that day?
Absolutely. Once the ball touched my hands, I’m like, ‘I know what I’ve gotta to do with this.’
How would you describe your style as a runner?
Aggressive. I’m not going down on first contact. It’s going to take at least three, four people (to get me down).
Let’s say EIU’s men’s basketball team suffers a bunch of injuries and they need five players to fill in. Who is your starting five from the Panther football team?
At center, we’ve got one of our offensive linemen, (6-foot-8) Matt Allen. At point guard, I’d go with one of our cornerbacks, (freshman) Isaiah Houi. The twins (6-6 and 6-5 freshmen wide receivers) Daniel and David (Ajose), I’d have them running the wings at the two or the three. For my four, I’d get (senior safety) Zay Gentry.
You have a unique first name, but do you prefer to go to Jay?
I don’t really like being called by my first name, unless I’m at church. It sounds old. (Laughs) I’m still a young guy. With the guys, I say, ‘Call me Jay.’
On a game day, do you have any specific habits or superstitions?
I’ve got to eat McDonald’s breakfast in the morning. I go to my app. I get a bacon, egg and cheese McGriddle, a hash brown and some O.J. After that, I say a prayer for God to watch over me throughout the game, for the offense and defense, and the opponent. And I talk to my family. I’m real close to my family. We have a group chat, and I Facetime everybody. They talk to me and keep me in good spirits. Then, I play.
Who is the best receiver you’ve ever played against?
I’d say last year against Southeast Missouri, (Ryan Flournoy). He was pretty good, probably the best I’ve gone against.
Pittsburgh is famous for three rivers coming together in the city. How old were you when you learned how to spell Monongahela?
Right now. (Laughs) I still can’t spell it right.
Your hometown has produced an NFL offensive coordinator and an American Idol finalist. Who’s the most famous person, in your opinion, from Munhall, Pa.?
I’d have to say (former Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers QB) Charlie Batch, for sure.
Does anyone ever tell you that you have a Western Pennsylvania accent?
Yeah, I get that a lot. Sometimes they don’t think I’m from Pittsburgh. They think I’m from Louisiana or somewhere down south.
If you’re having a bad day, who’s the one teammate that can always turn that around?
My boy Jamal (Jeffers, a senior wide receiver). He’s a funny guy. He’s always going to do that thing that you least expect.
If EIU has a bobblehead day next season, who’s the Panthers legend who should be on that bobblehead?
I’d probably go with Jimmy (Garoppolo). He’s a cool person. I feel like he’s just one of us. (When I met him), it was pretty normal. He was a down-to-earth guy.
What’s the best piece of advice you offer young players?
Be coachable. Times get hard, so be coachable.
Who’s the best roommate you’ve had at Eastern?
That’s easy. My roommate Jay Pearson. We came here together. We met my freshman year in high school in travel football. Ever since then, we’ve been pretty close. Our high schools (Steel Valley and Sto-Rox Junior-Senior) are in the same conference. We’ve got the same mindset. I find it hard to find people with the same mindset, that mentality of ‘go get it.’ That’s why we click so much.
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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