Fire Quackers – Fire WR/DB Takuya Furutani
Kevin Sedelmeier
Saturday June 26, 2004
As mentioned in the first installment, you may liken this to ESPN`s Budweiser Hot Seat. Perhaps it conjures notions of that smug Craig Kilborn’s 5 Questions. The only hope is that this will give you some insight into the people who make the Fire, excuse me, burn.
This week’s guest is rookie wide receiver and defensive back Takuya Furutani. With the rash of injuries to and absences of James Scott, Ryan Russell, Dennis Fryzel, and Tony Stallings, Takuya and Anthony Payton answered the call and were one of the league’s most productive tandem during midseason. This weekend, Takuya and the Fire will try to shake off consecutive losses and rebound against the Manchester Wolves. In seven games this season, Takuya has 35 receptions for 495 yards and 8 touchdowns. He plays tough on every down, and his efforts aren’t lost on appreciative fans.
Q Playing in Japan, was receiver your only position? If so, what adjustments have you made for arena football? Have you ever played defense before? If not, what`s the most challenging part of it?
A First of all, I was running back in Japan. Since I came here, I paid close attention to how my teammates play and asked coaches a bunch of questions. Never played defense before basically, but I have done covering on kick-off returns and pant returns.
Q How is American football like you imagined it would be and how is it different?
A I was surprised that referees here do not call holding.
Q Early in the season, you weren`t on the active roster. Was that frustrating? Were you confident your time to contribute would come?
A I was not frustrated but always thought about what I need to do to improve my game. So, I believed that when I can do that, I will be on the active roster.
Q. Does your size and being from Japan make your desire to succeed in American pro football even greater?
A I am relatively short as a football player even in Japan. So, it was always a motivation for me.
Q. Before the season started, an article in the paper mentioned that you were a newlywed and had to leave your wife. Has she been here to visit yet? How do you deal with being homesick?
A My wife came here at the end of April and we live together now. Now that I have her here, no homesick.
Q. What do you like most about Louisville? Have you discovered any favorite places to go yet?
A. Coaches, teammates and Jerry Wolfe, and my favorite place is Freedom Hall.
Kevin Sedelmeier is a native Louisvillian. A graduate of the University of Louisville with a B.A. in Communication and M.A. in English, he works as a technical writer and has written fifteen screenplays and numerous short
stories. He lives with his wife Elizabeth, son Lukas, and their dog Springsteen.