Lining up with Carolina’s Robert Stewart
Chuck DiLullo
Friday February 27, 2004
ArenaFan: How do you enjoy living in Charlotte?
Stewart: I came here exactly ten years ago and have loved it. I started my Arena career here with the Rage. I enjoy the city. The economy is good and the job market is good after the season.
ArenaFan: Are you looking at getting that 40th sack behind you to become the third player in league history to accomplish that?
Stewart: It is something on my mind, but I do focus on being more of a team player than focusing on individual stats. It is in the back of my mind, but at the same time I work hard to help out the team and, with that, the sacks will come.
ArenaFan: What is the main difference (besides the record) between the team this year and last year?
Stewart: The big difference is there is a lot more unity on this year’s team. We have come together well in a short period of time. The guys know how to practice. They know how to play. They know how to work together as team. Our coaching staff grabbed not only a great group of players, but a group of guys who want to contribute to the community.
ArenaFan: You pride yourself on the work you do with children in the community. Tell us more.
Stewart: I started working with Heritage Homes in the off-season. It is a group home for kids that are underprivileged. I work one-on-one with the kids, picking them up from school, promoting proper values, having them do their homework, promoting and teaching proper hygiene. We try to raise kids so they can go out and thrive in a structured environment.
ArenaFan: What is it like to play for a coaching staff with kind of pedigree and history of success?
Stewart: First of all, it is exciting. You are looking at three top head coaches in Eddie Khayat, John Gregory and Ron Selesky. I played under Gregory in New York so I experienced his winning tradition. This is my first year playing under Selesky and the mentality he brings to the game from the defensive prospective is great. The coaches all treat us like men. They are straight forward and explain directly what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. There is no whooping or hollering. Coach Khayat is a great mentor. Coach Mo Blanding is great coach. I think we have the best staff in the league. They conduct themselves well on and off the field.
ArenaFan: Do you consider yourself a leader on this football team based on the fact you are a 10-year vet?
Stewart: I definitely see myself as one of the leaders on this team. During training camp there have been a lot of times young guys have approached me that haven’t played the game long asking me what they can do to make themselves better players. This makes the veterans on this team feel even more important, especially for me coming off the team’s struggles last season. I love the opportunity to go to battle with these young guys who have showed you respect and I know the “kids” have my back.
ArenaFan: How far do you think this team can go this season?
Stewart: The sky’s the limit for this team. We take one week at a time. I expect to be playing in the ArenaBowl.
ArenaFan: What do you find the most fun about playing Arena Football?
Stewart: The high intensity of the game and the fact that the fans are so close to the field.
ArenaFan: What is your most memorable moment as a football player?
Stewart: When I got four sacks in one game when playing against the New Jersey Red Dogs.
ArenaFan: What would you want to say to the Cobras’ fans?
Stewart: You need to get your tickets, because you will miss something exciting.
Robert Stewart and the rest of the Carolina Cobras look to capture their first home win since moving to Charlotte when they face the Orlando Predators on Saturday, February 28th, and they will try to earn their first victory versus the Predators in franchise history.
Chuck DiLullo works for a manufacturer of process control instrumentation as a sales engineer. He has been a fan of professional, college and high school football since he could walk. Chuck is originally from Philadelphia and he became a huge Arena Football League fan while living in Buffalo. Chuck has lived in Charlotte since 2000 with his wife & three children.
