Coach's Game Ball: 'Bloom' in the back'field'

Photo courtesy of wssurams.com
Senior defensive end Michael Bloomfield
excels on and off the field.

Winston-Salem State football player Michael Bloomfield is this issue’s recipient of the Coach’s Game Ball.

"He has a relentless motor," head coach Kienus Boulware said.

"And he’s been in the system now longer than anybody else on the defensive line, so he has a strong knowledge of the game, and he’s one of the leaders."

Bloomfield, a 6-foot-2-inch, 252-pound defensive end, made the 2014 CIAA all-conference second-team and received 2015 preseason CIAA all-conference honors.

The Rams lost their season-opener to UNC-Pembroke Sept. 3, but Boulware said Bloomfield played well and that he expects a lot of quarterback sacks from him this season.

Bloomfield, a senior exercise physiology major from Jacksonville, N.C., also excels in the classroom. He made the Dean’s List the past four semesters.

Argus: When did you begin playing football?

Bloomfield: I began playing in the eighth grade. I grew an interest in learning how to play the sport when I was watching NFL stars Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, both defensive ends for the Indianapolis Colts.

Argus: Why did you choose WSSU?

Bloomfield: I chose to come to WSSU because they offered me a full scholarship to play football. Plus, my other two offers from UNC Pembroke and NC Central fell through.

Argus: Describe the greatest highlight of your career thus far.

Bloomfield: The greatest highlight of my career took place against Shippensburg University in the first round of the playoffs. Shippensburg was trying to make a comeback late in the fourth quarter. It was third down and long, and I got the game-winning sack that ended Shippensburg’s drive and sealed the victory for us.

Argus: Who do you attribute your success to?

Bloomfield: I give my success to the Lord. I always tell myself that the Lord gave me the strength, speed and ability to play the game of football, and all I’ve done is use what he gave.

Argus: What is your ultimate career goal?

Bloomfield: To try my shot at the NFL, hoping to play for a team that runs a predominantly four-man defensive line.

Argus: What impact do you wish to leave on the football program and the WSSU community?

Bloomfield: The impact I want to leave at WSSU is another NFL jersey to be hung at the field house alongside defensive end [William] Hayes of the St. Louis Rams.