Pure physicality

Beyond the Athlete: Hard-hitting on both sides of the ball

By Shaun Scott • November 18, 2014 5:25 pm
Newport Knights running back Nick Keithley is confident his team can make a run at the Class 4A state football title.
Newport Knights running back Nick Keithley is confident his team can make a run at the Class 4A state football title.

A proverbial chip resides proudly on the shoulder of Newport Knights senior football player Nick Keithley.

The Knights, who have put together an impressive 9-2 overall record and have clinched a berth in the Class 4A state quarterfinals, are just three games away from realizing their dream of a state championship. Newport will host the Federal Way Eagles at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22 with a berth in the Class 4A state semifinals on the line.

“We want this state championship. That is our goal. Our senior class is really close together. There is nothing else we are thinking about,” Keithley said. “A lot of people haven’t been talking about us. I think we are the team to beat. Each week we are playing hard and we are practicing even better.”

Keithley is a rare two-way starter, playing linebacker on defense and fullback on offense.

“Playing fullback in the triple-option offense I get hit every single play. I love it. The sport is something I love. You can’t get it (physicality) anywhere else or with any other activity,” he said. “I’m always around the ball at linebacker and my job is to make the play and always make the tackle. You got to be a leader on the field from that position and that is what I just love.”

Recently the Bellevue Reporter had an opportunity to ask Keithley a few questions about his life away from the football field:

Bellevue Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?

Nick Keithley: I will go with, “The Wolf of Wall Street” It’s about a guy who starts from the bottom and works his way up.

BR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

NK: When people say we’re (Newport Knights football team) going to lose. It really ticks me off.

BR: Where is your favorite eatery in Bellevue?

NK: Tokyo Japanese Restaurant. I love sushi.

BR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

NK: I’m really ambitious. I want to be the CEO of my own company someday. I’m really into the business world.

BR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?

NK: Lebron James. He’s my favorite athlete of all time.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com