Tyler Bushman is a fourth-year defensive end on the Case Western Reserve University football team. Although he wanted to quit football multiple times growing up, he stuck with the sport for what he describes as its addictive nature. He is a dual athlete at CWRU, also being on the varsity track and field team. He is an accounting major who plans on continuing his degree in graduate school. He spends his free time doing what any productive college student does: watching Netflix and taking naps.

What is your favorite part of being on the football team? Why?

My favorite part of being on the football team is definitely the friendships and connections that I’ve made over the past four years. In fact, all of my current roommates are either on the team right now or have played on the team at one point or another. To me, football is fun by itself, but it’s your teammates and coaches that are the reason why you continue to play. You want to play because it’s fun, but you want to perform well for them because you don’t want to let them down.

Where did you get your passion for football? Any good stories?

Growing up I actually think that I wanted to quit playing football just about every year, but there’s just something about it that’s addicting. Something about the adrenaline rush that keeps you coming back for more. This being my last year, looking back, I’m really glad I didn’t quit no matter how badly I wanted to when I was younger.

Do you have any games that you remember being particularly special? Why?

Our first playoff game last year against Illinois Wesleyan [University] was pretty special for me personally. I’m from Naperville, so going back home to Illinois to play is always exciting, and it makes it easier on my parents for the games to be closer to home. Another cool aspect of that game was the fact that it was snowing, which is something that you don’t get to experience very often as a football player. It was also really cool to participate in the playoffs, and to top it all off, we won pretty handily and I had a really good game.

In the eighth grade I played on a nationally ranked football team, and our first game we were invited to play at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. So that was pretty insane to get to do that at such a young age. We got to tour the Football Hall of Fame as well, so the whole experience was really special to me.

Aside from football, what else are you involved in on campus? Can you explain what you do in them?

I am also on the track team here at Case [Western Reserve University]. I am a thrower with my main events being the weight throw and the hammer throw. I am in Phi Delta Theta as well, currently serving on the Judicial Board.

Why are you majoring in accounting? What interests you about it?

One of my favorite teachers in high school was my accounting teacher, and he really got me interested in accounting. I decided to pursue it as my major and haven’t looked back.

What do you hope to accomplish with the degree?

I plan on getting my master’s in accounting once I finish my undergraduate degree. From there I hope to get my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and work for either a public accounting firm or a smaller company in an industry that I find interesting.

What are your favorite free time activities? Why?

In my free time I watch a lot of Netflix and take a lot of naps during the week. On the weekends I like to spend time hanging out with my friends either going out to eat or trying to think of something fun to do.

What is your favorite quote or what inspires you?

“You can’t get to the top of the ladder in one step, but you sure as hell can get to the bottom in one step,” from Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Warren Miller