To understand why Shilique Calhoun bypassed the NFL for a fifth year at Michigan State, talk to his mother, Cynthia Mimes. And go back to an awful incident in 2002.
That’s when an electric heater caused a fire that ravaged the family home in New Jersey, forcing the Calhouns to scramble for new accommodations.
More Top Picks Ego Power Plus 21
Cynthia had planned to complete her college degree at Ocean County College, but school officials returned her tuition check once they read about the fire, figuring she needed the funds.
“I haven’t gone back yet — and I say ‘yet’ because it’s never too late,” Cynthia said in a telephone interview. “But I told Shilique: ‘Look at me. I know from experience that you need to do this now.’ And like they say and Shilique repeats: ‘Football isn’t for long.’ “
Calhoun cherishes his mother and the sacrifices she has made, calling her “a special woman.”
So Calhoun returns the love any chance he gets. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end looked sharp at Big Ten media days in Chicago recently, sporting a dark suit, white shirt and multicolored bow tie Cynthia purchased.
“I love the way bow ties look,” said Mimes, who teaches at an alternative school for kids with behavioral issues. “Very clean.”
She asked for pictures from the day, so Calhoun bought a selfie stick and sent some to her.
“I texted her and said: ‘I got you,'” he said. “I’m constantly listening for anything I can do for her.”
What Calhoun can do for Michigan State is live up to his billing as the Big Ten’s No. 2 defensive end behind Ohio State’s Joey Bosa. A second-team All-American last season, Calhoun’s eight sacks tied for fourth in the league.
Calhoun said he decided to return to East Lansing as Michigan State was rallying for a 42-41 victory over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl. While on the bench he turned to some fellow defensive linemen and uttered: “I’m coming back.”
“They were like: ‘What?’ They were into the game and I was into the moment,” he said. “The opportunity to be with those guys was so special, I didn’t want to leave.”
Connor Cook knows the feeling. Like Calhoun, the fifth-year quarterback would have been no worse than a second-round draft pick.
“I came back because I want to graduate, win another Big Ten championship,” he said. “I want another shot at Oregon, another shot at Ohio State and I want to play in the Big House (at Michigan),” he said. “As for the NFL stuff, I don’t think anyone is ever really ready. You go there and adjust. I wanted to fine-tune and perfect my craft to make that transition.”
Calhoun, meanwhile, joked that he went “through the NFL (evaluation) process just to make you guys guess.”
Calhoun is naturally outgoing, a man “who can talk to anybody about anything,” center Jack Allen said, agreeing that Calhoun has a future in broadcasting.
Asked about that possibility at media days, Calhoun replied: “Hopefully I can take my talents there if you guys give me a job. I’d like to be a part of your staff, let everyone know.”
He will earn his degree in criminal justice in December, giving him another option once the NFL paychecks go dry.
“I’d love to be a secret agent or special ops,” he said. “But it’s also important to protect the people here in the United States. Local law enforcement is good enough for me.”
In the meantime, he’s preparing to push Michigan State to even greater heights than last season’s 11-2 mark.
“We can take ourselves farther with hard work and dedication,” he said, “as cheesy as that may sound.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
More Top Picks Best Blue Light Glasses For Reading In Bed
Reason to believe: The Spartans have monsters in the trenches, with analyst Phil Steele rating their offensive and defensive lines tops in the Big Ten. Left guard Brian Allen calls center and older brother Jack Allen “relentless.” They will protect Connor Cook, whom some teammates view as the nation’s best quarterback.
Reason for doubt: The Nov. 21 date with Ohio State. Make that, at Ohio State.
Big holes to fill: Big Ten Receiver of the Year Tony Lippett (Dolphins) and top running back Jeremy Langford (Bears) are in the pros. Starting strong-side linebacker Ed Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury during fall camp.
Breakout player: Sophomore Gerald Holmes is hoping to emerge as Michigan State’s top tailback. So are redshirt freshman Madre London and true freshman LJ Scott. Delton Williams, back from a five-month suspension, also could snatch some carries.
Season is a success if … Michigan State makes the four-team playoff. If the Spartans can take down Oregon in Week 2, they could lose to Ohio State and still be in decent shape.