Meet the first English-born Storm player, #77, "Big Manny" the
Renaissance man, Emmanuel Akah.

You're from London, England. How was it growing up in Europe?

EA: It was great! I loved the fact that I grew up in different places
because it made me very cultured. Mixing with different people gave
me a better perspective on life and people in general. Because of
that, I like to consider myself a renaissance man.

Soccer is the biggest international sport, and especially popular
amongst Europeans. Are you a soccer fan?

EA: I've been a devout fan since I was seven years old. I love my
team, Arsenal. There weren't any real sports out there for young kids
when I was in London, but soccer was the big thing…the main thing. I
love soccer because I get into it, and get that buzz that fans get
when they watch American football games here. I catch some of the
games when they come on ESPN and like to check up on my team. I'm one
of those people who will wait up until 2am to watch a game. I love
it! It's in my blood.

How were you introduced to American football?

EA: My high school coach, Jim Munsen thought I was a very good
athlete and asked if I'd play football. At that time, I was only
playing basketball, and was all about the NBA dream. So I said no to
playing football at that time because no one could tell me that I
wasn't going to the NBA.

What happened to your NBA dream?

EA: I was average at basketball. I don't like to say the word average
because I feel like I'm better than what people say I am. I believe
in myself wholly and truly, but I didn't have that extra that others
had to go to the next level. The drive and the passion were there,
but I was always a stalky kid and not the slimmest dude. My height
was mainly the issue because you can't play power forward at only
6'3". My favorite basketball player is Shaquille O'Neal, and I always
thought I was going to be 7'0" like him. In high school, I drank
gallons of milk and thought it would help me grow. It wasn't
necessarily the best thing for me, someone who's lactose intolerant.

Besides basketball and football, were you involved in any other
sports?

EA: I played club soccer in London for the school and a local youth
center team. It definitely prepared me for American football. It
taught me good footwork, the ability to move well, agility, and how
to play well with others. Soccer is all about footwork, and if you
don't have it, then you can't play. Some of the guys can do things
with their feet that you'd never believe. Other guys can do a lot
with their feet, but can't play organized group football [soccer]. I
was always for "me and the team." When you win, it's not about "I"
it's about "We." If we won, we won together. Even if only one person
scored a goal, it took the collective to pass the ball or stop the
opponent. You don't ever win individually.

What would you say is your best attribute in sports?

EA: Besides agility, probably that I am as strong as an ox. I think
there's only a minute percentage of players in the same rank as I am
that are stronger than me. Agility is everything. Flexibility is 90%
because you're capable of doing anything if your body can move in
different motions and directions. I finally went to a Pilates class,
even though I felt weird in a class filled with women. Then I
realized and said to myself that this is for your benefit and I was
bettering myself. There's not too many times you hear about guys
going to pilates, but many athletes do to increase their agility. So
I wasn't embarrassed.

You're the first English born Storm player. What are your feelings on
that?

EA: I take pride in being the first international player, knowing
that I'm good enough to play for the team, and to be told that my
abilities are above and beyond.

You have two championship rings from playing in NFL Europe and the
British American Football League. What would it mean to you to have
one from Arena Football?

EA: I do have bling-bling, but it would mean everything. When I do
anything, I like to feel like I accomplished something, and a
championship ring symbolizes that accomplishment. It feeds my soul.
It makes me feel good knowing I have something to show my kids
someday, and I worked hard for it and did it.

How does your family feel about your success?

EA: I come from a big family. My family's very supportive, and my
mom's my biggest fan and best friend. She always supported the fact I
was the child with the big eyes and big dreams. When I was 15, I told
my mother I wanted to leave London and venture out. At first she
asked me if I was serious and discussed it with my brother and
sisters. My mother was one who never wanted to narrow my horizons,
but broaden them. So she supported me 100%, and gave me the
opportunity to come to the US. To this day, I love her for that. It
takes a real love from a mother to let her son go to another country
to pursue his dreams. Because she believed in me is the reason why I
took the opportunity very seriously.

For your age, you've travelled and lived in many places. Which would
you say has impacted your life the most?

EA: When I was 13, I went for a youth program with some kids from
London to meet kids in Ireland. During that time, Catholics and
Protestants were fighting. Being the naïve fun loving person that I
am, I said let's forget the beef and just get along. Some of the
Irish kids were cool with us, but old wounds die-hard. Because many
weren't happy about my statement, I had to go back, apologize, and
explain what I meant. Basically I meant to say that just because I'm
protestant and your catholic, it doesn't take away from the fact that
we're both Christian. When they understood where I was coming from,
it was a good trip. We also went camping in the Moors of Ireland. It
was the most beautiful place I've ever seen with miles of green grass
and pine trees. I felt like I left a little piece of myself back
there. It was so beautiful that you felt you were a part of something
bigger.

Do you have plans to return to London for the holidays?

EA: I'd love to go home and see my favorite lady (my mom), but I
won't be doing that this year. I'm building my own little foundation
here, and she stressed that she doesn't want to see me until I
settle. On that note on going back, you can't go back until you
gather something, and I want to build something here before I go
home. I want to establish roots so I can bring my nieces, sisters,
and brother, whom I love so much over to visit. I really enjoy living
here in Tampa, and think it's a really nice place. I like the
relaxation and calmness. My spirit has always been laid back and
calm, and that's why I like Tampa.

What are your thoughts for next season?

EA: I'm hell bent on being physically and mentally prepared for the
season, and I'm going to give all I have to bring a championship back
to this fine city called Tampa.


Source: www.tampabaystorm.com