Mordecai Cargill

Name: Mordecai Cargill

School/Mascot: Yale University/ Bulldogs

Sport: Football

Class: Freshman (2013)

Current City: New Haven, CT

Hometown: Cleveland Heights, OH

Birth Date: 04/24/1991

Age: 18

Height/Weight: 6'1 / 215

Position: Running Back

On your sport...

HOW LONG HAVE YOU PLAYED FOOTBALL? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PLAY?

I've been playing football practically all my life. I didn't start playing organized football seriously until 9th grade. I wanted to play football after watching Nate Clements play for Shaker Heights in the late 90s.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO PLAY?

ANYWHERE in Cleveland, Ohio. If not there, then The Yale Bowl vs Harvard.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER? WHY?

At risk of sounding conceited, my favorite number is whichever number I'm wearing.

WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER YOU?VE PLAYED WITH AND AGAINST?

I can't pick a best, but the ones i remember have all been teammates. Paul Rice, Jake Stoller, and Travis Henry at Yale. Mike Edwards, Travis Freeman, Jonathan Newsome, Marcus Hall, and Davon Coleman at Glenville. Justin Chappell, Julius Cartwright and Andon Daniels at University High School

DO YOU HAVE A PRE-GAME RITUAL? IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

I always lay out my entire uniform in front of my locker before the game. Once i'm dressed I eat skittles before I leave the locker room.

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE YOUR SCHOOL?

I chose Yale because of the balance between school and sports. The people connected to the athletic department are extremely passionate about sports but not so much as to lose sight of the importance of education. Yale was the right fit for me.

IF YOU DIDN'T PLAY FOOTBALL, WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU PLAY?

If I didn't play football I would definitely be playing basketball. The hoopers get all the hype.

WHAT IS THE WORST EXPERIENCED YOU'VE HAD? WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?

Losing to St. Ignatius in the second round of the playoffs my senior year. I really haven't learned anything from that experience because i've tried to repress the entire game. I haven't even watched it yet.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN INJURY WHILE PERFORMING YOUR SPORT?

Luckily i've only been injured twice playing football and none of them have been serious.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER AS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?

I don't have a greatest accomplishment yet, so I have a much more work to do.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? WHY?

My most memorable moment is walking out into the Yale Bowl for the first time this year. It was one of the most gratifying feelings i've felt to this point. I felt like all my hard work in high school paid off.

HOW HAS FOOTBALL HELPED YOU BECOME WHO YOU ARE TODAY?

Football has molded me into the person I am today. The values i've learned in practice, such as determination, discipline, and aggressiveness, transcend the practice field and have become part of my approach to life

HOW HAS YOUR FAMILY REACTED TO ALL OF YOUR SPORTING SUCCESS?

My family has always been supportive of my dreams regardless of tangible or perceived success. My dad has been to just about all of my games since I started playing sports. He even drove to a number of my games this year.

Behind your sport...

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

In my spare time I'm watching sports, listening to music, and relaxing.

NAME 3 FUN FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW

1) I pray constantly

2) I have 3 pairs of the exact same shoe

3) I almost always have candy with me

DO YOU HAVE A PET PEEVE? IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

Passive Aggressiveness.

FACEBOOK OR TWITTER?

Both. Follow me @MCargill28

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? TV SHOW?

 My favorite movie is New Jack City and my favorite TV show is Family Guy

PS3, XBOX OR NEITHER?

Xbox without a question!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT COLLEGE?

Freedom and the meal plan

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

The eyes. They're the window to the soul

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?

"Make no small plans, for they have no power to stir the souls of men" Victor Hugo

WHO IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON YOU'VE MET? WHY?

The most influential person I met, I've known my entire life, and that person is my father. We talk everyday, and each time we talk he offers advice that helps me in my development as a man.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST?

Integrity

WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IT?

I'm still undecided.



IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU REGRET OR WOULD TAKE BACK IN YOUR LIFE?

To date, I have no regrets.

OUTSIDE OF YOUR SPORT WHAT ARE YOUR VISIONS/GOALS IN LIFE?

My only goal in life is to be happy. The rest will work itself out.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?

In five years I will be a Yale graduate in my second year in the NFL.

Final thoughts...

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING THE DORM RUMOR?

I'm honored. I really support what Mylan's doing as editor. I think Dorm Rumor is a great idea and much needed.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT MYLAN MURPHY?

I don't really know him too well but from what I can tell he seems like a good guy with a lot of ambition.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE TO ANYONE READING YOUR STORY?

Work hard and dream big. Nothing is impossible. Somethings just haven't been discovered yet.

WHAT WILL YOU CONTINUE TO STRIVE4?

Success and Happiness

Follow Mordecai's athletic career at http://www.yalebulldogs.com/sports/m-footbl/2009-10/bios/cargill_mordecai