ArenaFan Interview: Carlton Brown
Sharon Soares
Friday April 22, 2011
This week, I took some time to interview Carlton Brown,a defensive back and kick returner for the Kansas City Command. He played college ball at Jackson State in Mississippi, and is in his third year in the AFL, having played last year for the Milwaukee Iron and in 2008 for the Utah Blaze.
Sharon Soares (SS): Who is Astro Kneival? How did you come up with that alias?
Carlton Brown (CB): Astro kneival came from my neighborhood. I was always in the newspaper or just known for my talents, so people called me Superstar and Astro is a star. Kneival was something that came about because I got a flashy car. It's stunting like kneival. It's my music name; I have my own label called KFL in Grenada, Mississippi.
SS: What is the best part of playing Arena Football?
CB: I love the opportunity to further my career and make it to the NFL; just playing in loud arenas with the fans interacting with the players!
SS: What is your favorite position to play?
CB: I enjoy playing any skill position. Any chance I get to make a play or have the football in my hand; getting a interception or returning kicks!
SS: Where is your dream team?
CB: My dream team is any team that can help me fulfill my career goals because I'm looking forward to winning a championship someday and being able to retire from football with no regrets and a lot of success!
SS: What is it like playing for Coach Danton Barto?
CB: Coach Barto reminds me of the New York Jets coach but with a funny looking flat top, lol, but Barto is dedicated to doing what's best for us and the team. He is real straight forward with the players so a lot of guys respect that because he keeps his word!
SS: You attended Jackson State Mississippi, did you complete your degree?
CB: I'm not done with school, yet. I went back to Jackson State during the fall to get more hours in. Now I'm just lacking in a few tests under my major to finish up. I won't fall into the category of being a jock because the ladies love a man that can strike a pose and speak well to keep them on their toes!
SS: What were the Canadian camps like compared to US camps?
CB: I'm from the south and it's still cold in Canada during the month of June. I guess you could say I had an extended winter. It took some time to get use to; the 12th man & the size of the field, it was a track meet!
SS: What makes a good defensive back?
CB: Good DBs have great awareness, ball skills, just react without thinking, smooth as shea butter, gold teeth, great looks with style that wears #1 last name BROWN for the KC COMMAND; pound-4-pound the strongest and one of the fastest in the league, yeah CARLTON BROWN he is ok (good) lol.
SS: What do you think makes up the best receiving core in Arena Football?
CB: When it comes to the best wide receiving core, I just respect those that have made names for themselves throughout this league, have taken their talents to the next level; that keeps me hungry knowing ill face one of those players on occasions. If you wanna be the best you have to compete against the best.
SS: What do you do to get psyched back up after multiple losses?
CB: I have too much pride to let the losses keep me down because I know me and my teammates have worked too hard to just give up. I know the coaching staff will never just let us sit around with our heads down. Everybody knows it's not how you start, it's how you finish. It's still early in the season and a lot of football to be played! I don't mind being the underdog...that'll just make the ride better when we conquer the adversity were going through now!
Carlton Brown signing out be sure 2 log on again 2 #1ASTRONETWORK!
