Catching up with Alex Guerrero

It's a long offseason...so for the next 100+ days we're going to be throwing out some exclusive interviews with ex-players, analysts and fans. Our second such interview is with Alex Guerrero, an all-time great for the Broncos at Defensive Tackle. Alex was a four-year starter at Boise State and on some incredible Bronco squads. I caught up with Alex (shown above, during his one season with the Rhein Fire of the now-defunct NFL Europa) and got the 411.

DREW: Where are you right now and what are you up to?
Well right now I’m living in California and I’m training for my upcoming CFL season (with the Hamilton Tiger Cats).

DREW: How did you come to find yourself at Boise State?
Well, its kind of a long story, it pretty much all came down to my grades. In high school, my grades weren't the best and I didn't go to a big-time school so it wasn't a recruiting hot spot. So, not too many schools came around, but luckily my friend Scott Smith was a big-time recruit and he was bringing a lot of coaches in and I remember one day he turned down a trip to Boise and I said "Hey, coach I’ll take a trip" he said they liked me but my grades weren't good enough.... so after that they kept in touch with me (when no other team did) so when I finally became eligible I stayed loyal to them and on my trip with them I signed.

DREW: Do you still keep in contact with ex-players or coaches from BSU?
Yes, I try to keep up with some, the one I’ve probably been in contact with more is my ex D-line coach, Romeo Bandison.

DREW: What was your proudest achievement at Boise State both on and off the field?
My proudest moment at Boise State on the field was my final game at Boise State against Boston College. That night I promised myself and my coach that I would have my best game yet…and I did just that…I stepped up to the challenge that I put in front of myself and that’s why it was my proudest moment. Off the field, I would have to say it was winning the Humanitarian award.

DREW: I recall a particularly big hit by you in the 2004 UTEP game...was that your most memorable hit? If not, what was?
My most memorable hit was not by me, it was to me. I remember in the Oregon state game I was on the punt return team and I let my guard down for a second and next thing I knew, my ass was on the ground and I was cheap-shotted by the punter, I got up and told him how big of mistake he had made, and I [showed him] by having 2 sacks and 7 tackles....`

DREW: What was it like playing in Europe?
Europe was a unique experience. It was good to play against other good players and see how I could match up. I left there with some unfinished business though, I wish the league wouldn’t have gone under....but I plan on making up for that in my upcoming CFL season.

DREW: Being on a 2004 team that was a hairs-breadth from perfection—did you still feel a little down about missing out on the magical 2006 season?
They say you can’t change the past and to always look forward, but with the 2006 season being so magical, like you said, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I would have red-shirted and played in that game—but what’s done is done and I’m happy some of my best friends from my recruiting class got the chance to play and benefit from that game.

DREW: Did you watch the Fiesta Bowl? How did you feel afterwards knowing that you helped start that amazing run?
I flew straight out from Minnesota on the day of the game and I was in the front row with some ex Boise players like Ben Chuckovich, Chris Carr, Gabe Franklin, Robby Jones, Brian Decker and my family—it was one of the best days of my life.

DREW: You received a humanitarian award while at Boise State...how important do you think it is for athletes to be good role models and engage the community?
Being a role model is something I always prided myself with. I always told the younger athletes that I met that being a role model is essential because we are given an opportunity to be looked up to by younger kids and every little thing that we can do to make a difference is our responsibility.

DREW: The white patch in your beard...birthmark or real source of your power?
Both. I like to think of it as something that makes me unique. Plus, chicks dig it....hahahaha

DREW: What side of Bronco Stadium do you love more...the side that yells 'BOISE' or the side that yells 'STATE'?
Again I’ll say ‘both’, because I love that chant....I still have dreams about me playing in Bronco Stadium and hearing that chant.

DREW: Do Bronco players (especially out-of-staters) fully understand the Vandal rivalry? Do Bronco players hate the Vandals as much as the fans do?
What pissed me off the most about the whole Vandal thing is people really thought they had a chance...other than that they were just like any other team—I was out to dominate them.

DREW: Boise State recently switched broadcasters after 35 years and there is an announcer vacancy—Are you interested?
Still got a lot of football ahead of me, so I’m good for now—but in the future you never know what can happen. I have always wanted to be a football analyst so maybe one day I’ll do a Boise State game. That would be a dream come true.