KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Punter Dustin Colquitt is the longest-tenured member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
In fact, Colquitt, 37, is the longest-tenured player in franchise history, having appeared in more games since he was drafted No. 99 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft than any other player in the team's 60-year history.
Only 15 players have ever punted more times in the NFL than Colquitt's 1,098 times, so we asked the veteran "southfoot" from Tennessee about the secret to his longevity ahead of a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Green Bay Packers at 7:20 p.m. on 41 Action News.
41 Action News: You've now played on the Chiefs longer than any other current player, what advice do you give to the younger players on the team?
Colquitt: Just to stick with it. We’ve got a great organization here. It’s kind of a family feel, family-run business and they do a great job of recruiting talent in every department we have. I mean, we call it a team, we talk about it extensively in training camp, and they do a great job of having that family environment and know that it’s part of something special.
41 Action News: After playing in the league so long, where do you see yourself in five years? Still playing?
Colquitt: I hope so. That would be great. I kind of do one punt, one hold at a time. ... I’ve been here for a long time and so people come and ask me a lot of questions, so I just want to make sure I’m ready for that in any kind of leadership role I have, but also just trying to flip the field and give our defense, get the defensive coordinator to like me.
41 Action News: On game days, what gets you pumped up and ready to play?
Colquitt: Just the opportunity to still be doing this. My wife always laughs. She says “37 years old and you’re still going to summer camp," (which) I always thought was funny. It’s just a pleasure kind of meeting new young kids that are coming in and have this NFL dream. And it’s a pipe dream, and they turn it into reality. And a lot of them are very successful, and it’s fun kind of being a mentor or friend to all these guys who are trying to make it.
41 Action News: If you could give your rookie-self advice, what would it be?
Colquitt: Eat well, get enough sleep, all those things you kind of learn through the first few years. How to do better and just be in your playbook, watch yourself on film, and be a leader. And you’re in a positive spotlight, so make sure you’re sending the right message to kids.
41 Action News: In your time in the NFL, what have you learned about yourself?
Colquitt: It can be tough. There’s a lot of mentally taxing and physically taxing. When you throw — my wife who does a great job at home — but five kids in the mix, and you gotta have balance is everything. My faith has helped me through a lot of hard times and a lot of great times, so I just rely on that mostly.
41 Action News: What is the hardest part about your job that fans do not know about?
Colquitt: That it’s hard for people to say, “I hope you don’t play today."
41 Action News: What would your wife say is her favorite thing to watch you do with your kids?
Colquitt: Just be there, spending time with them. It’s fun having kids. I got four boys and a daughter and I think the biggest thing in this country we can do for our kids is spend time with them and share all the positive things you got from your parents and try to move that ball, that way of instilling the positive things and anything that you don’t want them to kind of keep doing, try to put that to bed yourself.
41 Action News: Is there something special about this organization?
Colquitt: Oh there’s no question there’s something special about it. I appreciate them putting up with me this long and I’ve had a lot of fun. I don’t want to be anywhere else. It’s been great for my wife and family and church and I love this place.
