Q&A
24 / www.panthers.com
with
Ryan Kalil
By Charlie Dayton
Ryan Kalil is making his mark in the NFL with his 3rd
consecutive Pro Bowl and 1st as a starter. The Roar sat
down with Ryan to discuss football, family and friends.
Since you were projected as a first
round draft choice when you entered
the draft, do you feel any vindication
with your Pro Bowl status five years
into your career?
In this game, you always hear people
say, “it’s not where you start, it’s where
you finish!” That’s never been more
true than last year’s Pro Bowl which
included 23 undrafted free agents. It’s
tough to make it in this League, so five
years into my career...that’s vindication
enough for me. As far as the Pro Bowl
goes, it’s an honor to be recognized by
so many I respect.
How do you feel when commentators
like Tim Ryan describe you as “the
best center in the NFL?”
It’s flattering but it’s too subjective. I
think there are a handful of really good
centers in this League. Chris Myers
from Houston, I watch a lot. Todd
McClure is one of the most consistent
and underrated players I’ve ever seen
play, but Nick Mangold jumps out at
me as the most well-rounded of us all.
We all have our own skill sets that work
best within the systems we play in.
With such strong roots on the West
Coast, was it difficult transitioning
to the Southeast, and where do you
see yourself living after your playing
career is over?
That’s such a tough question and
a question my wife and I ask each
other all the time. We are such “West
Coasters” or “SoCali” (Southern
Californians) as head trainer Ryan
Vermillion always says. At the same
time, we have come to love the
Carolinas and have made quite a few
friends since coming here in 2007. The
plan has always been to move back to
California when football was done, but
every year we are here it gets tougher
and tougher to stick to the plan.
Your consecutive game starting
streak has now reached 56 games
(6th longest in team history); is that a
source of pride?
No, it’s tough to stay healthy in this
game.
You worked with comedian Will Ferrell
on a pre-draft training spoof on the
NFL Network prior to your rookie year;
what is your relationship with Ferrell
like, and have you remained in touch?
I am a big fan of Will and he’s always
been a supporter of mine. He’s a
longtime Trojan supporter and is very
knowledgeable about the game. As far
as the pre-draft training spoof we did
for NFL Network, let’s just say a sequel
is in the works. >>>
CAROLINA PANTHERS V.13.6/ 25
Your dad, Frank, is a former
NFL and USFL offensive
lineman and your brother,
Matt, is a top offensive
lineman prospect in this
year’s draft. How much of
a role has football played
in the relationship between
the three of you?
We come from a football
family, that’s for sure. My
dad has had a tremendous
influence on our careers,
and we are very grateful for
that. More than being good
football players, I think the
biggest impact our father
has had on our
lives is being a
great example of
how to be a great
father, husband
and man.
What has Matt’s
pre-draft process
been like for you?
Stressful! I want
him to do so well,
and I have to
Matt Kalil
Ryan Kalil
constantly restrain
myself from
Your fondness for Frank
trying to give him too much
Sinatra and his music came
information and make the
process more overwhelming to light when you were
drafted; is that something
than it already is. As much
you have maintained,
as I worry for him, I know
he’s going to do great! I’m so and are your teammates
familiar with Sinatra and
proud of him and what he’s
his music?
accomplished and I can’t
wait to see what he does at
My grandfather turned me
the next level.
onto Sinatra at a young age,
and he’s been my favorite
ever since. He’s the greatest.
Period. I listen to all types of
music but Frank takes me
home every time. It’s hard
to explain if you’re not a fan
of big band or jazz, but his
phrasing and interpretation
of the material, no one does
it better.
Frank Kalil
26 / www.panthers.com
Ryan Kalil
Most fans are not aware of
your Hispanic background;
can you please relate your
background and Hispanic
roots?
Well for one, Coach Rivera
and I have become really
close because of it. When
I mess something up in
practice, he’ll start to yell
at me in Spanish. Everyone
thinks I’m getting in trouble
but really he’s saying “Hey,
Kalil, I’m just going to yell
really loud in Spanish so
everyone thinks I’m upset
about that last play but
you and I both know I’m not
really that upset. Hope your
family is doing well, alright
let’s get back to work!”
Because we are the only two
that speak Spanish, no one’s
the wiser.
Frank Kalil
Q&A