The day I interviewed Ray Lewis

As a student journalist, there are certain star-struck moments I try to prepare myself for. The first time I interviewed USU head football coach Matt Wells was one of those moments. Press conferences after the Mountain West basketball tournament with Jalen Moore and Julion Pearre also make that list.

But nothing could have prepared me for the interview I had today.

Other fans had asked for pictures and autographs, but he kept to himself as much as he could. I couldn’t pass up the chance to ask him to do a video broadcast with me, even though I knew the chances of him saying yes were very slim.

I interrupted a fan in the process of taking a selfie with him and was given a very strong and kind handshake. He called me sweetheart as I introduced myself and was more than willing to join me for the broadcast.

The national anthem started right as we were getting ready to film and I thought maybe that had ruined my opportunity. I prayed that it would work out after the national anthem and when the song ended I turned to ask if we still could record and, to my surprise, he was reaching for my arm to make sure it would still happen.

Which it did.

I got to talk football for 54 seconds with Ray Lewis.

He said USU needing to push on the offense and how a game and experience like this one at USC is really good for the football program regardless of the outcome.

In doing so, he offered me a similar experience.

As a young journalist aspiring to learn the trade, the opportunity to interview someone so accustomed to a camera in his face both as a player and a member of the media was extraordinary.

Needless to say, it was a day for the books.

Leaving the Coliseum, I saw him and his body guards one last time and he waved and blew a kiss from across the hall.

The Aggies may have left the Coliseum with heavy hearts after the 45-7 loss to USC, but I had a grin from ear to ear.