Dwayne Slay takes bigger stage, makes more memorable highlight at Texas Tech
Saturdays in Lubbock were always a big stage for Dwayne Slay, but he'll be taking a bigger stage this weekend.
The former Texas Tech safety dominated on defense at Jones AT&T Stadium a decade ago. Most fans remember him for the punishing hit he delivered to the Kansas State quarterback in 2005, but it won't be his most memorable moment as a Red Raider.
After a long journey, Slay will finally receive his degree on Saturday.
"It's bigger than any football game I ever played in," he said. "Finishing something I started a long time ago."
His biggest inspiration was his mother, who he made a promise to graduate before she died.
"She told me, 'I want you to get that done. Not only do it for me, but do it for yourself and your future family,'" Slay said. "That's something that stuck with me."
Like most football players, Slay dreamed of playing in the NFL and got his opportunity with the Chicago Bears in 2006. Despite suffering a torn Achilles his rookie season, Slay was an important part of the team when they played in the Super Bowl.
It was also the night his mother lost her battle with diabetes.
"Coach Lovie Smith came to me in the locker room before the game and they all corralled around me and embraced me," he said. "They wanted me to do the team prayer. That was a very special moment and it was emotional for me. It made me realize that football is about family."
The Super Bowl can change the course of a player's career and their legacy. Although he didn't play in the game, Slay's life changed on that rainy night in Florida.
"With the lights and celebrities everywhere on the sideline, all I could think about was mom," Slay said. "It was at that moment that I realized that the game of football had changed for me.
"I was at the highest pinnacle at the Super Bowl, but my mind was somewhere else. I didn't have the drive or passion to play anymore."
After several years playing in the Canadian Football League and arena league, Slay returned to Texas Tech to finish his studies in Human Sciences.
His passion is still in football, but it's about more than just making tackles and forcing fumbles.
"I want to coach," he said. "I want to help kids that I know I can relate to. I want to not only teach them about the game of football, but about life, how to persevere, be mentally tough and win in life."
As one of the best defensive players in Texas Tech history, Slay hopes to follow the path of many of his former teammates.
"A lot of guys under Mike Leach are now head coaches, offensive coordinators or defensive coordinators somewhere," he said. "They opened the door for a lot of us players. It's a testament to what they have brought to the game of football."
Texas Tech has a history of great defense, too. pic.twitter.com/eb34NNf7Xp
— Louis Ojeda Jr. (@LouisOjedaJr) December 11, 2015
The hits he made on the field will always be big, but he doesn't want it to be the biggest accomplishment of his life.
"There was a bigger picture and something else I need to keep doing other than play the game of football," he said.
The "bigger picture" begins with the walk across the stage for his degree -- the biggest highlight of his Texas Tech career.
