Intense...That's the first word that comes to my mind to describe the 2001 DeLuca Defensive Player of the Year award winner. Rory Steinbach is an intense young man on the football field. From throwing every inch (6'3") and every pound (189) into each and every play and firing up the offense on the sidelines to stepping up and making the big play on defense...Steinbach has stepped up his game big time in 2001!

So why Steinbach? 191 tackles, 13 sacks and the hits just keep coming! It's almost like someone flipped Steinbach's light switch on this season.. From an underweight junior who had a respectable 2000 season, to the most outstanding defensive player in Illinois in the 2001 season. I've seen Steinbach live in person this season...and both times you became immediately aware that this is a young man on a serious and intense mission! So sit back and get to know Rory Steinbach...EDGY tackles Rory Steinbach!

EDGY: So Rory, how often did your older brother Eric (starting center for the University of Iowa) pick on you as a kid?

Steinbach: (laughs) Every day...Seriously he would pick on me all the time and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. He helped make me who I am today and I think I'm better off to have been thrown around a few times by my big brother!

EDGY: I know because I'm a little brother too, so I can relate! How many times have you heard "Rory's good, but he's not as good as Eric was?" And is this motivation for you?

Steinbach: (laughs again then pauses) About a million times! And it really isn't motivation for me at all, actually I always thought of it in a negative way. People have been telling me that since I was in 7th grade and I just go out and give it my all and if I work hard enough hopefully people will notice my efforts.

EDGY: Talk about leadership...You seem to take being a captain pretty seriously.

Steinbach: At the beginning of the year we had just two captains (Matt) Eggert and Lydie (Brian Lydigsen) and they went to the coaches and felt that we needed to have 4 captains this season, so Chris Markels and I were choosen as captains as well. All four of us take being captains really seriously, and we all wanted to make sure that not having strong captains was a reason for us not to win state this year. I try to keep the team focused and fired up, but all four of us have set some strong rules this year and the team has been great about it. All four of us have done a good job of letting everyone have a say, but in the end the team also knows that we are the team leaders and we take a lot of pride in that.

EDGY: Talk about recruiting. Everyone just assumes that since your brother is at Iowa you'll be going there too!

Steinbach: I know. I've had calls from Iowa and Ball State and I get steady contact from several MAC schools as well. I don't have any offers yet but I'm just going to keep working hard in the off-season and hopefully things will work out. I know that the knock on me is that I need to add weight to play in college and that is why maybe some schools haven't been interested, but my brother was able to bulk up and hopefully I'll open up some eyes if we win state this week!

EDGY: Okay, I'm coming over to dinner and were having your favorite meal. So what's on the menu?

Steinbach: My Dad's an awesome cook, so we'll have barbeque ribs on the grill with his home-made BBQ sauce, baked potatoes and a Ceaser Salad...Gotta have a Ceaser Salad!

EDGY: Are you into Playstation at all?

Steinbach: No! Not at all.....I actually give some kids on the team a hard time about playing those games all the time.....I tell them to go outside and do something...I don't even go on the computer much, and I've seen your website I think one time this year.

EDGY: Rory! Your killing me here!

Steinbach: No offense EDGY, I just don't read the Sports websites and papers much. The guys on the team call me "Paper Boy" because of all the press I've gotten, and it's great and all, but I don't really focus too much on that stuff. I use the computers in school a lot but that's about all.

EDGY: Okay, I can grant you one wish and I will allow you to take anyone you want to the prom! So who's the lucky girl?

Steinbach: Brittney Spears. No doubt about it!

EDGY: The funniest or strangest thing an opposing player ever said to you on the field?

Steinbach: "I'm comin after your Momma next!" Still cracks me up!

EDGY: What's the best part of going to Providence Catholic?

Steinbach: You know everyone in the school. It's not too big and it's a really close knit family feeling at Providence. You all go to church during the week together and the kids really respect each other in the school. And, unlike a lot of other schools you hear about we have very few fights or problems in our school.

EDGY: So what's in the CD Player these days?

Steinbach: Limp Bizkit, some AC/DC, some Led Zeppelin, a little rap like Notorious BIG and the strangest CD I have? Has to be Pure Moods. You know the mellow relaxation music? An old girlfriend gave it to me because she told me that I need to relax a little!

EDGY: So how often have you listened to Pure Moods?

Steinbach: Once I think! Haven't listened to it since!

EDGY: So who's the coolest person you know over 40?

Steinbach: Wow, that's tough because I know alot of cool people over 40. I would say my defensive coach Larry Lokanc. He's an honest and hardworking guy who's really has his act together. Coach Lokanc is a role model who gives everything he does 100 percent!

EDGY: Who are your biggest influences in your life up to now?

Steinbach: My parents. I'm really lucky to have such great parents and I think they've done a great job of raising our family. I learned basically everything from them.

EDGY: Talk about playing for Matt Senffner at Providence

Steinbach: It's been one of the best experiences in my life so far. Coach Seff is like another Dad and is another role model for me. He always has something funny to say and also knows when to turn it on and off. He's a class act, and he's taught me about football pretty well, but the most impressive thing is he also teaches us all about life as well. He talks about growing up and raising a family and taking responsibility...He's just a great guy. Even as a freshman I could go into his office and talk to him about anything, and that really impressed me back then!

EDGY: So how do you feel about being named the Sal DeLuca Award Winner for 2001 Defensive Player of the Year Award?

Steinbach: Wow.....it's a great honor! I guess hard work can pay off. I couldn't have done any of this without my D linemen, the best D line in the state! Those are my boys! The same goes for all of my coaches and my teammates, because the awards are great, but it's still a team game and a team effort!