Upcoming Event: Football versus Blue & White Game on April 18, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Football
vs Blue & White Game
Q+A With Duke Football: Shaka Heyward
10/27/2021 3:30:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – The Voice of the Blue Devils, David Shumate, sat down with redshirt junior linebacker Shaka Heyward for a brief question and answer session.
DS:Â With Halloween coming up, how much do you get into the candy and the costumes?
SH:Â Not too much. Last year I wore a costume, but it's not an every year thing. Last year I went as a ninja.
Â
DS:Â If you had to power rank the candies, which would be your favorites?
SH: I like Twix and anything sour. Â
DS: You come from a football family. When you were growing up, was football the only sport? What all sports were being played?
SH: I played football, baseball and basketball a little bit. But football was definitely my favorite. It runs in my family.
Â
DS:Â How competitive were those games growing up?
SH: It was definitely competitive. My brothers and I were competing with each other to see who could have the most rushing yards and tackles, stuff like that. It was always a competition between us.
Â
DS:Â Heading into Wake Forest, it is the first ranked opponent you guys have played. They have a unique style of RPO offense, how do you guys prepare for that?
SH: We have to do what we are coached to do. You have to be patient and do your job at every level.Â
Â
DS:Â What were some of the points of emphasis for you with the extra practice time during an open date?
SH:Â Definitely recovery. Making sure that I am in the training room and helping my body recover with the off week. I'm working on eye discipline and focus and doing the things that I am supposed to do.Â
Â
#GoDuke
Â
DS:Â With Halloween coming up, how much do you get into the candy and the costumes?
SH:Â Not too much. Last year I wore a costume, but it's not an every year thing. Last year I went as a ninja.
Â
DS:Â If you had to power rank the candies, which would be your favorites?
SH: I like Twix and anything sour. Â
DS: You come from a football family. When you were growing up, was football the only sport? What all sports were being played?
SH: I played football, baseball and basketball a little bit. But football was definitely my favorite. It runs in my family.
Â
DS:Â How competitive were those games growing up?
SH: It was definitely competitive. My brothers and I were competing with each other to see who could have the most rushing yards and tackles, stuff like that. It was always a competition between us.
Â
DS:Â Heading into Wake Forest, it is the first ranked opponent you guys have played. They have a unique style of RPO offense, how do you guys prepare for that?
SH: We have to do what we are coached to do. You have to be patient and do your job at every level.Â
Â
DS:Â What were some of the points of emphasis for you with the extra practice time during an open date?
SH:Â Definitely recovery. Making sure that I am in the training room and helping my body recover with the off week. I'm working on eye discipline and focus and doing the things that I am supposed to do.Â
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballWESLEY WILLIAMS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, March 31
LUKE MERGOTT 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, March 31
The Breakout - The Nate Sheppard Story
Tuesday, March 31
ONE TO REMEMBER - Duke vs. Clemson Cinematic Recap
Tuesday, March 31
