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David Shumate Sits Down With Rakavius Chambers
8/31/2018 7:05:00 AM | Football
David Shumate is in his second year as the radio play-by-play voice for Duke football and men's basketball. He sat down with Rakavius Chambers with a Q&A.
David Shumate: Let's start with your nickname. Your full name is Rakavius Chambers, but many refer to you simply as “Rock” — where did that come from?
Rakavius Chambers: Well I've had a lot of nicknames in my life, just because Rakavius is a mouthful. But “Rock” started when I was in high school. When I was in about 10th grade my head coach was getting tired of saying “Rakavius, Rakavius, Rakavius” — so he was like, “You look big, we're going to call you Rock.” I've had other ones though. “Rock-Flocka.” My family calls me “Kavi.”
DS: Growing up in Opelika (a city on the outskirts of Auburn, Ala.), how excited are you for the 2019 season opener against Alabama? Do you have that game circled?
RC: My whole family has that game circled. I think the whole city of Opelika has that game circled. It's always been a dream of mine to play them so when Duke put that game on the schedule that was a really big deal to me…I really need to beat them — let's just say that.
DS: Looking back to your freshman season, you said there was a point in camp where you were ready to walk away from football. Take us through what happened there and how you worked your way through it.
RC: Well camp last year was four-and-a-half weeks and I don't think any person coming into football is actually ready for that. Especially for a freshman, that jump from high school football to college football is hard for any person. I think it was just the wear and tear of football day in and day out and I'm not sure I was expecting that. I spoke to my family and they always keep me focused, and they told me to just pray about it, because I have my Bible with me to just keep reading God's word each day before practice. I actually keep scripture as my lock screen (on my phone) each morning and that's what definitely kept me going.
DS: Do you have a specific verse or example that was impactful?
RC: The one that kept me going through camp was: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). That's the one that really kept me going.
DS: So obviously with Coach Cutcliffe, he believes deeply in the mantra Faith, Family, Future, Football. How much did that resonate with you in the recruiting process?
RC: A ton. Coach Cut always told me it was faith first no matter what and as long as you have your faith first everything else will fall in line. That really sold me on this program — a program that is focused on building me thorough God's word. Part of the reason I fell in love with this program was because they care about men and they're using the Bible to improve men.
DS: Let's talk about your mom and the motivation she provides for you, seeing what she went through as a single parent and how that's allowed you to tackle things in your life.
RC: My mom is the strongest woman I know. I have two brothers and two sisters and any woman who can do that — raise all those kids by herself as a single parent — is extraordinarily strong, especially when she's encouraging you to do all these extracurricular activities such as show choir, band, theater and football, and be a part of every single academic club. That's a lot!
When you multiply that by five that's insane, especially when you consider the income level that we had, which wasn't high. Watching her set that example of someone who's working hard and someone who's encouraging her kids to be the best that they can, and not allowing anything to stop them, really inspired me to come here and follow my dreams. And actually that's part of what got me through camp my freshman season. If my mom could handle that and not complain, really ever, then I shouldn't be complaining.
DS: As the oldest, did you at times serve as the fatherly figure in the household?
RC: Definitely. There were many nights that I made meals for my brothers and sisters because my mother was tired, so I would do the cooking and cleaning. There were also times I would go to my sister's cheer camps and my brother's football games. In that way I would say I was sort of a father figure. And every time I would go pick them up at school, people would ask them, “Is that your dad?” just because I'm taller.
DS: Were you aware that at 16 or 17 years old you were doing more than someone typically would for their brothers and sisters, or was that just what you were used to?
RC: I didn't really recognize that until I looked back. I just felt like that was normal, something you would do for your family.
DS: Because of some of those experiences, you have said you believe you perform your best under stress and in fact try to put yourself in those positions. Walk me through that — where that came from and how you go about putting yourself in a position most people try to avoid.
RC: I think I developed this through my brothers and sisters. It's never quiet at home, so I learned to work under stress. Since that was an everyday thing for me, being out of that situation wasn't something I was comfortable with. So I'd rather put myself under stress so I can perform better, since I'm used to performing in that fashion.
I know most people would avoid stress. But in order to find it, let's just take my high school schedule for example. Most people would say you can't fit band and theater and football and all AP classes in a schedule, but I did — because people said I couldn't and it was going to too much for me to handle. One, I needed to prove them wrong and two, I love stress. And three, I needed to see for myself if I could get it done, and I did.
DS: Let's talk football a little bit. It looks like dropping weight has been something you've been working on coming into this season.
RC: I've actually been dropping weight since I first got here. When I first got here I was 338 pounds and now I'm down to 310. I needed to do that if I was going to survive. That's part of the reason I struggled in camp! I was huge and trying to play football and move as an offensive lineman. Most people think as an offensive lineman you just have to be big, but you have to be able to move, too.
DS: Last year you were a reserve backing up Julian (Santos) and Zach (Harmon). Is there a difference for you this year when you look at the two-deep and you're projected as the starter at right guard?
RC: I think so. I think most people would want to relax, but in my mind there is more pressure on me now, and again, I love that. I love the spotlight and I want to perform, especially for those who may think I can't — I want to prove them wrong.
DS: What kind of comfort does it give you knowing Zach (Harmon), who is now playing center, played right guard last year and can identify with your position.
RC: Zach is like one of my coaches, I would say. Last year he taught me a ton of techniques and helped explain what the coaches were trying to teach me, because hearing it from a coach is one thing but to hear it from a player who's had that same experience, it really helps.
DS: I'll let you go on this: You've spoken about your involvement in band and theater — what's something Duke fans might not know about you, or that they might be surprised to know?
RC: I love “Hamilton.” I know every single word to that musical. And I take hour-long showers and blast music and sing along to musicals in the shower.
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