As a high school student at Hazelwood Central, Carey Davis made his mark on the football field before moving on to the University of Illinois and eventually the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl championship with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After an injury cut his pro career short, Davis stuck his toe in the coaching pool, returning to his high school alma mater. Then the broadcast bug bit, landing him as a color analyst for Illinois football and co-host for the Fast Lane on 101.1 ESPN in St. Louis. Say hello to Carey Davis.
Were you prepared to step away from the NFL when you did?
Probably 90% of professional athletes don’t end their career on their terms. For me, it was tough. This was something I had been doing for 25 years at that point—playing football, being on a team, having a schedule. To have that cut off cold turkey left me wondering about my identity outside of football. I was no longer Carey Davis, the NFL running back/forward. I was just Carey Davis. It’s one of the transitions you are never prepared for.
What drew you to coaching high school football?
Part of it was about supporting the community. I got to coach at my alma mater for six years, which was extremely important to me. I worked with kids who had the same goals and dreams that I did when I was their age, who lived through similar experiences. Hazelwood Central helped make me into the man I am today, and I wanted to give back.
How did you get started with broadcasting?
When I got done playing, I got the opportunity to do color commentary for high school football.
A board op position became available at ESPN 101, and I applied. I was brought in for an interview—my first real job interview—and the program director asked me what I was doing. That wasn’t a question I had prepped for. I was confused, but he explained he didn’t understand why I was applying for the position with my background. I just wanted to be in the building. I’ve always had the mindset that I can start at the ground floor and build my way up. Instead, he gave me a three-week trial run on the air, which has turned into more than a decade in radio.
Who was the person in sports you learned the most from?
Kirby Wilson. He was my running back coach in Pittsburgh. He got there in ’07, which was my third or fourth year in the league. The things he taught me was stuff I never even knew. It’s amazing how you can be in the NFL and have really good coaches, but there are some that are elite. For me, Kirby Wilson unlocked something about how I played and saw the game.
What is the one thing in your closet that says all you need to know about Carey Davis?
My Super Bowl ring.
How often do you wear it?
I don’t wear it often. I would say maybe five times a year for special events. If I’m talking with a group of young players, sometimes I’ll take it with me to inspire them. It’s not jewelry that you wear every day—it’s huge and kinda gaudy.
