Eric Kush: Never Quit Attitude

Trubisky! Trubisky!

Echoed from the stands at Tom Benson Stadium the home of the Pro Football Hall of Game. Fans followed the passes flung by No. 10 (Mitchell Trubisky), while I was waiting patiently for No. 64 to emerge with the offensive line.

The last unit to enter pregame warm-ups, the beefy group headed towards the corner of the end zone for some quick reps to get prepared for preseason action of the virgin season.

Another fan belted (Jordan) Howard from their lungs trying to gain the attention of the Chicago Bears lead running back. My single concerned was seeing Eric Kush healthy for the first time since suffering a torn hamstring during training camp and cost him the entire season, last year.

I see him on Instagram posting ridiculous workout videos. In each, Kush was looking bigger and stronger. He now stood waiting for his rep, in warm-ups, spinning the football in his left hand. Over the years I’ve met 1,000 of NFL Draft Prospects, each player has a unique set of circumstances, yet the goal remains 100% the same.

The goal is to make it in the National Football League.

Kush arrived in the NFL from California a town not a state located about an hour west of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania. The Division II California Vulcans have become a respectable place to find smaller school NFL Draft Prospects in the PSAC.

In fact, the year Kush got drafted his teammate Rontez Miles signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, both remain in the National Football League, six years later.

Kush the 170th overall pick in 2013, his jerseys worn include the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Bears.

In 2015, his head must have been on a swivel not knowing which way he was going after being waived four times in one season. The Buccaneers, Panthers, Texans and Rams in that order. Ironically, Kush was immediately swept off waivers after being designated with the tag.

“I’m glad I kept a journal of that year because I wouldn’t have remembered all of the things I did following him around,” Stephanie Kush said, his wife and college sweetheart. “It was stressful and exciting. Looking back on it now it was a crazy football adventure! I could write a book about that year of our lives.”

The “Windy City” has been his football home since September 4th, 2016, marking his sixth team in as many years in the National Football League. The recent stop has allowed for the Kush family finally exhale after the hectic 2015 season. Amongst his 18 game appearances, four of his five NFL starts have come with the Bears emblem on his helmet.

“It’s a f*$#ing journey,” said Kush after his Bears fell to the Baltimore Ravens 17-16. “I keep doing what I got to do, luckily my wife and kids are there to support me and keep me going.”

Every step of the way, Stephanie and Eric have worked together, like a center to quarterback exchange. With Eric leading the way in protection while Stephanie guides the family down the field.

“We both work hard!” Stephanie said. He’s out there pushing his body to the max physically. And I’m at home raising three, wonderful but exhausting kids. We both couldn’t do it without each other, I’m extremely grateful to be able to stay at home with them. Eric is the greatest dad and husband; his family time means so much to him.”

He has beat the odds and persevered through the trials and tribulations of his sixth-round selection and now enters his sixth NFL season, with his sixth NFL team.

Along with Stephanie they share another side of the game that often time is left to the unknown. The struggles that coincide with joy of any growing family are enough to keep any parent up at night. It is fair to say it is magnified, when you are playing in the NFL from a small-school, trying to build a foundation to remain in one city and earn a living doing what you love to do.

The solitude of comfort amongst the two is likely on of the reasons, Eric has been immediately snatched up time and time again. He can train without pause. Focus on his craft without error because he knows Stephanie is taking care of business at home.

“No, no, no!” Kush said when I asked his if there was ever a moment when he said enough is enough. “That’s the thing. I never quit, and I keep going.”

He does keep going with Stephanie by his side, together they have proved that teamwork on the field and in marriage can do amazing things.

Photo credit Jason Pohuski / College2Pro.com