Northwestern University Athletics
Getting to Know: Godwin Igwebuike
8/26/2015 11:00:00 AM | Football
With the 2015 college football season right around the corner, NUSports.com caught up with sophomore safety Godwin Igwebuike to learn a little more about the defensive back. After bursting onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2014, Igwebuike shares a little bit about his softer side, why he chose Northwestern and more in this edition of "Getting to Know."
Why did you choose to come to Northwestern?
My dream growing up, being a Midwest guy, is playing in the Big Ten, playing Big Ten Football. I grew up an Ohio State fan, not going to lie — but as I grew up and as I matured, I still had the dreams of playing in the Big Ten but also realized after the cleats were put away, I wanted to be successful in life, as a young man and as a gentleman and as a whole, so I decided that Northwestern would give me the best opportunity to excel both on the field and off the field.
What are some of your personal goals heading into the season?
Honestly, to take it into the next level. I was able to be a part of the Freshman All-Big Ten team, but I feel like there's still a lot of question marks. I feel like I still have a lot to prove. I want to take it to the next level — I want to be All-Big Ten, I want to be out there matched up against some of the best in the nation and I want to be able to say that I competed against them and won against them. Personally, that's one of my goals. And obviously team goals go into that as well — winning the big Ten championship is also huge for me, and making my teammates better every day.
Who do you model your game after?
When I grew up the glamour position was the running back, so I was always looked at running backs when I was younger. But more recently, I began to look at Earl Thomas, seeing how he plays, watching his highlights, watching game film on him. He is a really aggressive guy who can also cover. I feel like we have some of the similar attributes, physically and our skill set.
Are you a movie or a TV show kind of guy?
I'm more of a movie guy, I love a great movie. My favorite movie right now is — I have two, they're very different. I like trilogies, those are the best ones, you can immerse yourself into it because it lasts so long, you just are anticipating the next one. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is my favorite one. And then a complete 360, the Before trilogies (Before Sunrise, Before Midnight, Before Sunset), it's a romance. I like my romance. I like my action. I like the whole shebang, but I like a nice balance between the two.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be, and why?
I've got to say Jesus. That's actually an easy one, now that I think about it. I'm one who grew up in the church and learning about His work. We have the Bible, we're free to read whenever we want to, being in the United States — I kinda take that for granted sometimes. Just the fact that we have the book with His word, if I actually have a chance to meet Him and talk to Him, and just hug Him, and just hang out and chill, tell jokes together, and just kind of immerse myself in His wisdom. I think that would be awesome.
What is your pregame ritual?
I'm more on the relaxed side, I would say. I like to put on a nice little song, here and there. I'm kind of different from most people. I'm not always going for the hype music when I have my headphones on in the locker room. I'm more the guy who listens to some chill stuff, some stuff that most people might fall asleep to. I like instrumentals. I like orchestral compositions, stuff like that. I'm the kind of guy, still joking around with my teammates and stuff in the locker room, more on the relaxed side, more on the joking side. But obviously, have some time just talking to God, time in prayer just to get my mind right, get my mind in the right place and get focused and get to it.
What do you do off the field?
I like going, at least in the summer, to the Lakefill, just chilling on the rocks. Listening to some music, writing — I have a lot of thoughts I like to write down, things like that. I enjoy going into Evanston, checking out different spots, different eateries. And obviously playing 2K with your bros. Obviously have to squeeze some time in for that. And just hanging with friends.
What's your go-to spot in Evanston?
It has to be the Lakefill.
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
I like Manny Pacquiao a lot. I was real upset about his loss, obviously. But I felt like he's a beast in the ring, which is awesome, and I also think he's a great guy out of the ring, which I personally find to be important for an athlete I admire, how he portrays himself on and off the ring, and personally, he's a devout Christian. He takes care of his community, he likes to give back. He's someone I want to hopefully be like.
Favorite professional sports teams?
I'm an Ohio guy, so I have to rep the O. I'm not hugely devoted to either-or, but I go for my Bengals, go for my Browns, my Cavaliers. I am a Heat fan, that's probably my go-to basketball team — not because of LeBron [James], not because of what he did there — I was there before. Alright, I'm a D-Wade [Dwyane Wade] fan.
••••••
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Why did you choose to come to Northwestern?
My dream growing up, being a Midwest guy, is playing in the Big Ten, playing Big Ten Football. I grew up an Ohio State fan, not going to lie — but as I grew up and as I matured, I still had the dreams of playing in the Big Ten but also realized after the cleats were put away, I wanted to be successful in life, as a young man and as a gentleman and as a whole, so I decided that Northwestern would give me the best opportunity to excel both on the field and off the field.
What are some of your personal goals heading into the season?
Honestly, to take it into the next level. I was able to be a part of the Freshman All-Big Ten team, but I feel like there's still a lot of question marks. I feel like I still have a lot to prove. I want to take it to the next level — I want to be All-Big Ten, I want to be out there matched up against some of the best in the nation and I want to be able to say that I competed against them and won against them. Personally, that's one of my goals. And obviously team goals go into that as well — winning the big Ten championship is also huge for me, and making my teammates better every day.
Who do you model your game after?
When I grew up the glamour position was the running back, so I was always looked at running backs when I was younger. But more recently, I began to look at Earl Thomas, seeing how he plays, watching his highlights, watching game film on him. He is a really aggressive guy who can also cover. I feel like we have some of the similar attributes, physically and our skill set.
Are you a movie or a TV show kind of guy?
I'm more of a movie guy, I love a great movie. My favorite movie right now is — I have two, they're very different. I like trilogies, those are the best ones, you can immerse yourself into it because it lasts so long, you just are anticipating the next one. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is my favorite one. And then a complete 360, the Before trilogies (Before Sunrise, Before Midnight, Before Sunset), it's a romance. I like my romance. I like my action. I like the whole shebang, but I like a nice balance between the two.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be, and why?
I've got to say Jesus. That's actually an easy one, now that I think about it. I'm one who grew up in the church and learning about His work. We have the Bible, we're free to read whenever we want to, being in the United States — I kinda take that for granted sometimes. Just the fact that we have the book with His word, if I actually have a chance to meet Him and talk to Him, and just hug Him, and just hang out and chill, tell jokes together, and just kind of immerse myself in His wisdom. I think that would be awesome.
What is your pregame ritual?
I'm more on the relaxed side, I would say. I like to put on a nice little song, here and there. I'm kind of different from most people. I'm not always going for the hype music when I have my headphones on in the locker room. I'm more the guy who listens to some chill stuff, some stuff that most people might fall asleep to. I like instrumentals. I like orchestral compositions, stuff like that. I'm the kind of guy, still joking around with my teammates and stuff in the locker room, more on the relaxed side, more on the joking side. But obviously, have some time just talking to God, time in prayer just to get my mind right, get my mind in the right place and get focused and get to it.
What do you do off the field?
I like going, at least in the summer, to the Lakefill, just chilling on the rocks. Listening to some music, writing — I have a lot of thoughts I like to write down, things like that. I enjoy going into Evanston, checking out different spots, different eateries. And obviously playing 2K with your bros. Obviously have to squeeze some time in for that. And just hanging with friends.
What's your go-to spot in Evanston?
It has to be the Lakefill.
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
I like Manny Pacquiao a lot. I was real upset about his loss, obviously. But I felt like he's a beast in the ring, which is awesome, and I also think he's a great guy out of the ring, which I personally find to be important for an athlete I admire, how he portrays himself on and off the ring, and personally, he's a devout Christian. He takes care of his community, he likes to give back. He's someone I want to hopefully be like.
Favorite professional sports teams?
I'm an Ohio guy, so I have to rep the O. I'm not hugely devoted to either-or, but I go for my Bengals, go for my Browns, my Cavaliers. I am a Heat fan, that's probably my go-to basketball team — not because of LeBron [James], not because of what he did there — I was there before. Alright, I'm a D-Wade [Dwyane Wade] fan.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and check us out on Instagram. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
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