Before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 2011 NFL Draft, Stephen Schilling starred for Butch Goncharoff and the Bellevue Wolverines.

Schilling, who went on to play for the University of Michigan, took some time to chat with the Reporter about the draft process, the business of the game, and his time as both a Bellevue High School and Michigan Wolverine.

REPORTER: How often do you make it back to Bellevue?

STEPHEN SCHILLING: I make it back to Bellevue probably on average every six months, usually for about a one-week visit. The longer I’ve been away, it seems I get back less and less. I always try to eat at places I can’t eat at when I’m not in Bellevue, like Casa D’s. And I like to spend time at home with my family.

REPORTER: What was it like for you and your family on draft day?

SS: Draft day was a very unique experience, unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I went into the weekend having been told I could be selected as high as the third round and as low as undrafted, so I was pretty uncertain. As the day I was picked went on, it was very stressful to sit and wait. But I’ll never forget the feeling of relief and excitement when the Chargers called me in the sixth round.

REPORTER: After playing in high school and college, what has the transition been like for you in learning about the business aspect of the game?

SS: I am still learning about the business side of the game. It is a new experience to be playing football for a paycheck, but when you are on the practice field football is still football. Just now there is no redshirt year like in college or as much time to develop–if you can’t play you won’t be paid.

REPORTER: How was your experience playing under coach Goncharoff at Bellevue and what are some of the things you learned from him you still use today?

SS: I learned everything about the attitude a football player must have from coach Goncharoff and his staff. All of the attributes like accountability, hard work, and discipline are things I learned from Butch, and I carry with me to this day, not only in football but in my everyday life.

REPORTER: Michigan has a storied football tradition and one of the most recognizable venues in American sports. What was your most memorable moment from a game in the Big House?

SS: My best memory from a home game at the Big House was probably either the Illinois game from my senior year (67-65 3OT win) or the Notre Dame game from my junior year (38-34 win over 18th ranked Irish).

Unfortunately we didn’t have the success I had hoped for while at UM, but I was still able to make some great memories, and the simple opportunity to play in a stadium like Michigan Stadium is enough for me.

REPORTER: Michigan and Ohio State have one of the premier rivalries in college football. The Buckeyes have been hit pretty hard recently by scandals involving current and former players and iconic coach Jim Tressel has since resigned. What was your reaction to all the turmoil at Ohio State?

SS: I guess I don’t really smile too much when hearing about the Ohio State allegations and infractions because it wasn’t too surprising to me.

Also, as someone who never had the chance to beat Ohio State, I would want Michigan to beat them at their best.

REPORTER: You recently got started against the Seahawks. What was it like to get in your first NFL game and also to play against your hometown team?

SS: My first NFL action was pretty amazing. Just to be wearing that uniform with the Charger logo on it was pretty special, and then to be able to look across the line and see the Seahawks as my opponent was surreal.

I grew up watching the Seahawks and then I was playing against them.

Once the game started and I had a few snaps under my belt, football is football and it felt like any other game.

Josh Suman can be reached at 425-453-5045