Ten questions with quarterback Ken Mastrole
May 25, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
1. You played a season with the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe. How would you say football is perceived in Europe?
Mastrole: Soccer is the dominant sport in Europe. Popularity is growing a lot, and football is huge in Germany. Other places tend to come out if their team is winning, but that's pretty much it.
2. How would you compare your experience in Europe to playing with the Chicago Bears of the NFL?
Mastrole: Europe was a great experience because it's almost like a paid vacation. You get to see all different parts of the world. To do all that and get paid to play football is an incredible experience. As far as comparing to the NFL, the NFL Europe is about guys getting exposure and experience to work towards getting to the NFL. The NFL is three steps faster than college football. The NFL Europe is more like two steps.
3. What sparked your interest to play arena football?
Mastrole: I didn't know much about arena football at first. I liked the fact that they threw the ball almost every down. My first experience was with (current Firecats) Coach Ben Bennett, and it was great to learn from someone who knows the game that well.
4. How hard was it to make the conversion to the indoor game?
Mastrole: At first I had trouble with the motion and timing. Everything in this game is about timing. I adjusted pretty well once I got my feet wet.
5. What is your most memorable moment of your football career?
Mastrole: Probably being the first freshman quarterback to ever start at the University of Maryland. Either that or when I threw a game-winning touchdown in preseason against the Saint Louis Rams when I played with the Bears. My dad told me he was dozing off watching the game. He said he suddenly woke up and saw me running onto the field.
6. What do you see as the major differences between the af2 and the AFL?
Mastrole: Opportunity- there's players at this level just as good, but they never got an opportunity at the next level.
7. The team obviously has high goals for themselves. What are the most important aspects that must be maintained in order to obtain those goals?
Mastrole: Consistency, discipline, and team unity.
8. The team played one of the best games in the history of the franchise last Saturday. How do you keep that intensity level high so you can ride it through the rest of the season?
Mastrole: By keeping a level head. There are steps that we have to take individually and as a team in order to obtain the ultimate goal of winning a championship.
9. How does it affect your confidence to have such great weapons in your receiving corps?
Mastrole: You know that they are on the same page as you. It's comforting to know that match up- wise, these guys can compete with anyone. Not only can they catch, they can block, too.
10. How does it feel coming off a long and successful road trip, going into your own house for the rematch against the Memphis Xplorers?
Mastrole: Feels good- it was a big step for this franchise and team to beat a powerhouse like Tennessee Valley. It will spark this team's confidence, and it will hopefully spark more interest in the community.
Fans can come out and meet Ken Mastrole and the rest of the Florida Firecats immediately following this Saturday's home game at TECO Arena. Tickets for the game can be purchased by calling (239) 390-2287.
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