TAMPA, Fla. — Michael Brown-Stephens has always felt at home on the football field.
“I’ve always been an offensive guy, and I just like making big plays. And just the energy and the feeling you get from that,” Brown-Stephens said. “Making somebody miss and making a big catch or something like that, it’s like an adrenaline rush.”
The wide receiver transferred to USF from the University of Minnesota.
“It’s been great. I’ve been having a great experience since I’ve been here,” Brown-Stephens said. “I feel like I made a great decision. Definitely don’t regret it.”
During his first season as a Bull, he’s had a special fan cheering him on: his uncle, John Legend.
“He was always supportive. Whatever high school games he could come to, he would go, middle school games, he would go to. College — he makes time as he can,” Brown-Stephens said.
The two have always shared a close relationship.
“I have another cousin and we’re about the same age. Our parents had us when they were younger. So we would go on the road with our uncle and it would just be us to so, we always joked that we were his first kids,” said Brown-Stephens. “So our relationship is very, very tight and close because of that. I was probably five years old when I started going on the road with him.”
So, does musical talent run in the family?
“I’d like to think so — honestly, my whole family is very, very musically talented. I can hit a few notes here and there, but I’m no John Legend. Way off of that,” Brown-Stephens said. “But he can’t come out here on the field like I can either, so it’s cool. It’s a nice little trade off.”
Before he takes the field, there are a few John Legend songs in his pre-game playlist.
“I’m actually a big fan of my uncle outside of being his nephew. I actually do have all of his songs downloaded. And I know all of his songs word for word.”
But a song called “Home” by his uncle tops the list.
“It’s actually on my pre-game playlist, so I listen to it. And it’s really him talking to his children. I kind of put it in perspective of my parents talking to me before a game because before a game I go through a whole bunch of emotions,” Brown-Stephens said.
He says his close relationship with his family has driven his career.
“I’m appreciative of it,” he said. “They’re willing to go the distance for me to make sure that I got what I need, or I’m in the right place to do what I need to do, so shout-out to the family. I love you all and thank you all.”
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