http://www.azcardinals.com/press/pressdetails.php?sid=1155
Steve Bush Coming Into His Own
Story by Chrissy Mauck, www.azcardinals.com
Although tight end Steve Bush has been competing on the NFL grid-iron for the last six years, he’s just now coming into his own. The 2002 season offered many ups and downs for the organization, but for Bush it was a career-defining season.
After spending four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Bush was happy to be returning to his home state when he signed with the Cardinals midway thru the 2001 campaign. During training camp last season, Bush quickly grabbed the attention of his coaches and teammates with his versatile and consistent play at tight end, fullback and on special teams, even earning the annual camp Tasapa award, an award chosen by the coaches for one offensive and defensive player that displays outstanding leadership and hard work.
“When I started out in Cincinnati, I was just happy to be playing football,” shared Bush. “I guess I really didn’t have a lot of expectations at the start and I really only got spot opportunities there. I really enjoyed last season because I felt like I had a specific role and I really got into a groove. I take pride in being able to do different things on the field and be versatile and I think I showed that in 2002.”
Bush’s emergence on offense last season helped instill him with a certain confidence and he’s looking forward to stepping up as a team leader this upcoming season.
“A lot of times in the past, I really didn’t feel like I had a right to be saying anything,” explained Bush. “Now, I feel like my play last year earned the respect of my teammates and I think that gives you confidence to speak up more. Next season, I am coming out of my shell.”
Bush may come off as quiet guy upon first impression, but his teammates aren’t so fooled. He’s always been a behind-the-scenes instigator of practical jokes.
“I usually try and let other people do the actual dirty work,” confessed Bush. “I am usually the type of person to plant thoughts in other people’s heads. But, there are a few people you don’t want to mess with and those are the kickers and the quarterbacks. They have more time on their hands and if you start something with one of them, retribution is coming twofold. Now, if you can get one of them on your side, you can usually stir up some fun and have a few good practical joke battles.”
As a more serious battle is being waged between the United States and Iraq, Bush is thankful for the blessings of a peaceful home with his wife Teresa and their son. Besides flourishing on offense last season, Bush found another role he’s well suited for – fatherhood. Teresa gave birth to their son midway thru the season and it’s been a new way of life for the couple.
“Being a father is actually a lot easier than I thought it would be,” admitted the new father. “I think it is because my wife is so good with him. You have all of these added responsibilities, but really I have been so happy about it and that he’s healthy that it all seems pretty easy. Every day I wake up and am excited because he gives me something special to look forward to. I’m excited coming home every day to play with him and see what new things he is doing.”
Bush enjoys playing time with his son, but also takes on diaper duty and everything else that comes along with caring for his son.
“I have friends that tell their wives they will have not part in that stuff,” claimed Bush. “I don’t understand that all, how could you not want to be part of everything? He’s your flesh and blood.”
Perhaps Bush’s perspective of being a parent is a little different then most. He lost his mom to cancer three years ago and feels that her death has allowed him to focus on his personal relationships more.
“I’ve always looked as death as just something that happens,” shared Bush. “I think my mom was so strong and didn’t want people knowing she was sick that I sort of believed in her front and that she would get better. I think maybe I missed out on saying some of the things I should have.”
Bush knows his mom would be proud to see him playing back at Sun Devil Stadium again. He only hopes to recreate the magic ride to the Rose Bowl during his senior year with the Sun Devils in 1997.
“That season was pretty special,” recalled Bush. “We really started my freshman year not very good and just each year built from the ground up to become a complete unit my senior year. No one really had any expectations of us and so that made it pretty special. I think it can be the same for the Cardinals.”
This off-season, Bush has been doing all he can to physically prepare himself for a turn-around. After a few weeks off, he began getting stir crazy and started on his training routine. And unlike most athletes who work out for the results, Bush actually enjoys the process.
“I really like training in the off-season,” offered Bush. “I am just a person that has to have a routine so that I feel that I am accomplishing something. I don’t know feel like it is work to lift weights or run. And when I decide to do something, I am the type of person that takes it to an extreme so when I am working out I am driven to really hit my goals.”
Bush typically hits his goals and the driven tight end seeks one goal for the 2003 season…winning.
“I really couldn’t stand losing last season,” emphasized Bush. “Even though football is a team sport there are many individual battles going on and it just takes each one of us winning those battles. After last season I am confident that I can help contribute to winning some of those battles and that we can change things. If we all have that mindset, we’ll get it done.”
Steve Bush Coming Into His Own
Story by Chrissy Mauck, www.azcardinals.com
Although tight end Steve Bush has been competing on the NFL grid-iron for the last six years, he’s just now coming into his own. The 2002 season offered many ups and downs for the organization, but for Bush it was a career-defining season.
After spending four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Bush was happy to be returning to his home state when he signed with the Cardinals midway thru the 2001 campaign. During training camp last season, Bush quickly grabbed the attention of his coaches and teammates with his versatile and consistent play at tight end, fullback and on special teams, even earning the annual camp Tasapa award, an award chosen by the coaches for one offensive and defensive player that displays outstanding leadership and hard work.
“When I started out in Cincinnati, I was just happy to be playing football,” shared Bush. “I guess I really didn’t have a lot of expectations at the start and I really only got spot opportunities there. I really enjoyed last season because I felt like I had a specific role and I really got into a groove. I take pride in being able to do different things on the field and be versatile and I think I showed that in 2002.”
Bush’s emergence on offense last season helped instill him with a certain confidence and he’s looking forward to stepping up as a team leader this upcoming season.
“A lot of times in the past, I really didn’t feel like I had a right to be saying anything,” explained Bush. “Now, I feel like my play last year earned the respect of my teammates and I think that gives you confidence to speak up more. Next season, I am coming out of my shell.”
Bush may come off as quiet guy upon first impression, but his teammates aren’t so fooled. He’s always been a behind-the-scenes instigator of practical jokes.
“I usually try and let other people do the actual dirty work,” confessed Bush. “I am usually the type of person to plant thoughts in other people’s heads. But, there are a few people you don’t want to mess with and those are the kickers and the quarterbacks. They have more time on their hands and if you start something with one of them, retribution is coming twofold. Now, if you can get one of them on your side, you can usually stir up some fun and have a few good practical joke battles.”
As a more serious battle is being waged between the United States and Iraq, Bush is thankful for the blessings of a peaceful home with his wife Teresa and their son. Besides flourishing on offense last season, Bush found another role he’s well suited for – fatherhood. Teresa gave birth to their son midway thru the season and it’s been a new way of life for the couple.
“Being a father is actually a lot easier than I thought it would be,” admitted the new father. “I think it is because my wife is so good with him. You have all of these added responsibilities, but really I have been so happy about it and that he’s healthy that it all seems pretty easy. Every day I wake up and am excited because he gives me something special to look forward to. I’m excited coming home every day to play with him and see what new things he is doing.”
Bush enjoys playing time with his son, but also takes on diaper duty and everything else that comes along with caring for his son.
“I have friends that tell their wives they will have not part in that stuff,” claimed Bush. “I don’t understand that all, how could you not want to be part of everything? He’s your flesh and blood.”
Perhaps Bush’s perspective of being a parent is a little different then most. He lost his mom to cancer three years ago and feels that her death has allowed him to focus on his personal relationships more.
“I’ve always looked as death as just something that happens,” shared Bush. “I think my mom was so strong and didn’t want people knowing she was sick that I sort of believed in her front and that she would get better. I think maybe I missed out on saying some of the things I should have.”
Bush knows his mom would be proud to see him playing back at Sun Devil Stadium again. He only hopes to recreate the magic ride to the Rose Bowl during his senior year with the Sun Devils in 1997.
“That season was pretty special,” recalled Bush. “We really started my freshman year not very good and just each year built from the ground up to become a complete unit my senior year. No one really had any expectations of us and so that made it pretty special. I think it can be the same for the Cardinals.”
This off-season, Bush has been doing all he can to physically prepare himself for a turn-around. After a few weeks off, he began getting stir crazy and started on his training routine. And unlike most athletes who work out for the results, Bush actually enjoys the process.
“I really like training in the off-season,” offered Bush. “I am just a person that has to have a routine so that I feel that I am accomplishing something. I don’t know feel like it is work to lift weights or run. And when I decide to do something, I am the type of person that takes it to an extreme so when I am working out I am driven to really hit my goals.”
Bush typically hits his goals and the driven tight end seeks one goal for the 2003 season…winning.
“I really couldn’t stand losing last season,” emphasized Bush. “Even though football is a team sport there are many individual battles going on and it just takes each one of us winning those battles. After last season I am confident that I can help contribute to winning some of those battles and that we can change things. If we all have that mindset, we’ll get it done.”
