As the reigning Denver Post prep defensive player of the year, Columbine senior lineman Curtis Cunningham is a big reason the Rebels have won 21 consecutive football games and are ranked No. 1 in the Class 5A poll. The 6-foot-3, 265- pounder, who has committed to play for the Colorado Buffaloes, also was an All-Colorado baseball player last season and was all-conference as a sophomore on the gridiron and on the diamond.
Cunningham took some time away from his busy high school life for a Q&A with freelance reporter Brian Forbes.
Q: You’re obviously a big kid. What are some of the advantages that brings?
A: It’s nice being stronger than the smaller kids because you use your weight and strength over their speed and quickness. Me going against a 200-pound linebacker, that’s just 60 more pounds I have on him. Of course, I have a hard time getting in my car sometimes (laughs). I drive a Ford Ranger. And I have to shop at the Big and Tall store.
Q: Considering all the history, both good and bad, of what has happened at your school, what does it mean to you to be a Columbine kid?
A: Most people see us as, “Oh, you probably have metal detectors at your school,” but it’s a regular high school. Being a Columbine Rebel is just having the pride that goes along with your school. It’s a great school and a great tradition.
Q: How long have you been dating your girlfriend, and what was your last big date?
A: We’ve been dating for 10 months. Our last big date, I guess, was homecoming. We took a BMW 745 to Via (Italian Trattoria in LoDo) and we had dinner with eight other couples. I had some pasta thing with shrimp and she had fettuccine Alfredo, and then we went back to the dance at the high school.
Q: In May, I watched you consume an entire Qdoba burrito in 70 seconds flat. Have you broken that record?
A: (Laughs) I don’t want to try, because I want to enjoy my burrito.
Q: What is a sport you haven’t tried but would like to?
A: I would like to try hockey, because hockey takes hand-eye coordination like baseball and it also takes the toughness of football, so I think that sport has the best of both worlds.
Q: Speaking of baseball, who do you like in the World Series and how is it going to go down?
A: Rockies are winning. You got to be a hometown fan. They’re going to split games in Boston and then the Rockies are going to win out with the four straight games. After one loss in Boston, they are probably going to be one-run games. And I think Troy Tulowitzki is going to step up because he’s the man.
Q: What kind of effect did winning a state football championship at Invesco Field at Mile High have on you?
A: That was a great feeling, playing on the field and all of our fans supporting us – all of the fans, period. I’ve never played in front of such a big crowd. Looking back at that game, I think we wanted to win it more. It was a great opportunity for everyone, and it’s up there as one of the greatest experiences of my life. The moment I remember most from it was looking at the clock with 1:47 left. We had the ball and we were ahead. At that moment, I knew we were going to win the game.
Q: If you could jump inside any movie, which would you pick?
A: I’d probably be like one of the random actors in “Dumb and Dumber,” just being around and listening to them, or maybe in the back of the van when they’re singing.
Big fan of Buffs
Top five reasons CU rules:
1. Coach (Dan) Hawkins.
2. The upbeat attitude. They’re so close to being good, they just need an extra spark.
3. Playing with my old teammate again (freshman Ryan Miller).
4. The players I’ve met up there have been awesome.
5. Defensive line coach Romeo Bandison.
