The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with: Kalen Thornton
03.19.2012 | Football
March 19, 2012
What brings you to practice today?
I get down to Austin every now and then. I am actually working for Nike now and we are down here for SXSW for some other marketing activation. Anytime I am in town I have to stop by and see the fellas and Coach [Brown] to see what they are up to.
You talked to the team about not taking anything for granted. What did you mean by that?
It is one of those things in life where you tend to get caught up with what you consider not really drama, but some of the difficulties of going to college like school and workouts. When it is all said and done though, these are some of the best times these guys will have in their lives when it comes to being with a brotherhood and a team and working toward one common goal. I find myself, as I'm sure a lot of other guys do, reminiscing on the times when we were at UT. I remember back when I was on UT's campus or I remember when we were coming out onto Darrell K. Royal [-Texas Memorial Stadium] and all these things that as you age you think, "I wish I could go back and relive some of that again." Not that life doesn't get better. I have kids now and things change. These are sweet memories, so it is important to not take them for granted as they are happening.
Do you still feel the family atmosphere when you come back and visit?
Automatically. It's weird because I grew up in Dallas, not too far from Austin, and my parents were Big Ten Michigan fans. That is where I was going to go; I never had an affinity for Austin. After my time here at UT and being with Coach Brown and the staff, I now instantly enter Austin and get these goose bumps. It is just an amazing feeling. It doesn't matter if I am coming to a game or not, Austin is home for all intents and purposes. That hasn't changed. I feel 100% comfortable no matter how long it has been - whether it's been a week or even three years, coming out here and spending time with the guys. That is another thing you should not take for granted. Everyone out here treats you like you are family and you are always welcome.
How much have things changed since your time here?
The stadium didn't seat 100,000 or however many it does now. The facilities have been remodeled and aesthetically a lot of things have changed. When it comes to the people, which are the most important part, it is still the same. There is still the same bond. I have two kids and if they are ever fortunate enough to play football, I am definitely going to hope if it is not Coach Brown, it is Coach Brown's uncle or son or someone from here that has the same charisma and feels as strongly about the players as he does. This is a unique environment. Not everyone gets the opportunity to experience this.
What has transpired in your life after you left UT until now?
I played here for a few years. I had knee injuries even while I was at UT, and I had a limited career with the [Dallas] Cowboys. I played a couple of years with them. I retired prematurely with a surgery. Fortunately, I graduated with a degree in finance as an undergrad, so I was able to leverage that and work in private wealth for a few years with Smith Barney. With the economy the way it went, I decided that wasn't necessarily the right route. I went back to school and got my MBA. While I was getting my MBA, I interned with Nike and wanted to get back into sports. I wanted to combine that with business. It seemed like the perfect fit, and I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to work with them full time. That is where I am now.
Since your father played in the NFL, was it a different experience when you made it to the NFL after having that example set for you?
It definitely was just in terms of recognizing the fact that while the NFL is a goal for a lot of kids growing up, the reality is that it is a business. I had those conversations early and often and wasn't taken off-guard. I knew even before I started playing with the Cowboys that because of my knee problems there was going to be a target on me if I wasn't able to produce. I knew my career might be limited just on that alone. A lot of guys come in and have to convince themselves to be motivated to work hard. You have to have your feet on the ground and have a sense of realism. Even if you are fortunate enough to work five to eight years, with a guy graduating at 21 [years old] then you are looking at 26-29 [years old]. You still have an entire life ahead of you that is probably the bulk of your career, opposed to this limited time you are playing sports. That not only came from my father, but also my mom being education based.
How do you remember the time you spent here?
That is the main reason I tell the players to not take this for granted and to cherish these moments. One of the reasons I came out here is because one of my good friends is [former player and current director of football operations] Marcus Tubbs, and he is still around here. These are sweet memories here in Austin. If Nike wants to open an office in Austin, I would be all for it because I have a lot of love for this city and this university, especially this organization.
How did Coach Brown and this organization get you ready for the next part of your life?
I think you heard it in Coach Brown's final talk after scrimmage broke. There are a lot of things that you go through now that you don't realize will come back to you in terms of learning. One [lesson] in particular - being accountable. You have a job out here on the field whether it is to catch a ball, throw a ball or make a sack. Everyone has their individual roles. One thing that football presents an opportunity for is for people to have that experience on the field. If you are smart you will learn how to translate that into life. In my career now working in marketing, I know that I have a certain amount of deliverables that I have to get done. To Coach Brown's point, if you are not able to do those then you don't have opportunities. That is transferable to anything you do in life. If you are not accountable and do what you are supposed to do when it comes to your assignments, whether it is on the field or on the job, then you don't have as many opportunities. That is probably the one thing that I take away from the sport that was amplified through my time here at the University of Texas. It might seem simple coming through a casual conversation when you talk about catching a ball, but those things are applicable to whatever you do in life.
