Former Lions Footballer Set for Reality TV Debut
Stephen Andrews ’06 is one of the contestants on Spike TV’s new show 4th and Long, which debuts Monday, May 18 at 10 p.m. Andrews, a former Lions defensive back, will compete against 11 others for the 80th spot on the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp roster.
Stephen Andrews ’06 is one of the contestants on Spike TV’s new show 4th and Long, which debuts Monday, May 18 at 10 p.m. Andrews, a former Lions defensive back, will compete against 11 others for the 80th spot on the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp roster.
According to a press release from Spike, the show “will chronicle the rigorous training, heated competition, and compelling moments” as Andrews and the others compete against each other for a shot at NFL stardom. As with other reality shows, one contestant will be eliminated each week. Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, the show’s host, “will offer his wealth of experience and guidance to mold [the contestants] into NFL-caliber players,” the release indicated.
Andrews has come close to making it as a professional football player before. He had the opportunity to try out with the New York Jets after graduating, and also worked out for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, he said. But he is still searching for his break. Although he couldn’t reveal how he fared in the 4th and Long competition (you’ll have to watch the show to find out), he was able to talk a little about his experience.
“I found out about the show from…watching [ESPN’s] Pardon the Interruption,” Andrews said. “I knew that my speed and background would give me a fair shot…. I just really thought it was a great idea and wanted to be apart of it, but didn’t have any real expectations of actually making the show.”
Andrews flew to Florida to audition and made it through to the next day’s round of interviews. “After the first interview, I thought I had a good chance of going far in the process, because the casting director seemed to really like me,” Andrews said.
He did move on, and the next round of auditions took place in California. “They had us do a ‘combine’-style tryout at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,” Andrews said. “After that, they cut us to 26 people for another three days of poking and prodding. When I left California, there were 18 people left in the running, so I knew had a great chance. About four days later they said I was on the show.” He found out afterward that he had beaten out “thousands” of other hopefuls who had tried out.
Filming for the show took place in the Cotton Bowl, Andrews said. He was able to reveal that he had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Irvin, as well as coaches Joe Avesano and Bill Bates. “Nate Newton was also a guest coach,” Andrews said, before adding, “ I can’t reveal any other guests, but I got to meet at least one other player who most people would consider the best EVER at his position.”
“I hope that I represented TCNJ with class and let people know not only how great the school is academically, but also athletically,” Andrews continued. “If it wasn’t for my experience while I was [at TCNJ], I wouldn’t have been able to make it as far as I did. Hopefully everyone will enjoy the show. GO LIONS!”
Posted on May 14, 2009
