Protect And Serve: Drew Kyser

Note: The Drew Kyser feature first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Sept. 22 when Memphis hosted South Alabama.

It's a weekday morning, and Drew Kyser is in football practice on the University of Memphis' Park Avenue campus. He's focused on what the coaches are teaching.

But, at times, Kyser will hear a fire siren and that sound grabs his attention.

"I know that sound means someone is in trouble, which is not good," said Kyser, a senior center on the offensive line. "But, I get pumped (because I want to help)."

These days, Kyser wears a football helmet. In the near future, the 6-5, 295-pound lineman will trade it for a firefighter's. Instead of protecting teammates on the field, he'll do the same for others in real-life situations. It's a calling he's seen from his family.

"My dad was a fireman when I was a kid," said Kyser. "My mom and grandpa will find some old pictures of me either dressed in a Halloween fireman costume
or my dad's fire gear."

But, Kyser's area of public service wasn't always focused on firefighting.

"For me, it was a back-up plan for a while," said Kyser. "When I first came to Memphis, my plan was to become a police officer. Then, I thought I wanted to teach, but that wasn't it either.

"I decided I wanted to pursue firefighting. I visited several fire stations, and I can't see myself doing anything else."

That love for becoming a firefighter grew deeper this summer when he visited Columbia Fire & Rescue in Columbia, Tenn., where he spent a day with Fire Chief Tyler Cobb's department.

"I contacted the fire chief, who is a Memphis graduate, and he invited me to his station," Kyser said. "I got to go on different calls. I enjoyed it."

Cobb, a 2005 Memphis graduate, added, "My first connection with Drew was through the Memphis softball team, which played a game in Columbia last spring. I corresponded with Drew, and I invited him to ride with us. He definitely has an interest in the field and can do the job."

Kyser's desire in pursuing firefighting as a profession has more steps to complete after he finishes football. First, he'll earn his EMT license through training at the Medic One Foundation or a community college. Kyser then will apply for jobs, and after he is hired, will go through physical and written tests. He also will have
to attend a 10-to-12 week rookie training school before he's put into service.

However, Kyser already has several skills – physical endurance, communication and teamwork – that will prove vital in his chosen profession.

"Like football, being a firefighter is being a part of a team," Kyser said. "As firemen, you have to work together. What I've realized is that out here (on the football field), if I don't communicate, it's a missed assignment. If I don't communicate properly in firefighting, it's going to get someone killed. My communication skills help me on the football field, and they'll help me in fire service."

Offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield agreed, "As our center, Drew has to make sure about all our communications – the calls, the tags and many other things. All of this is going to carry over to his future as a firefighter. It's survival mode for them in their profession. Everybody has to be on the same page or things are going to go wrong."

Being a team player and in good physical condition is why Cobb likes to hire former athletes for his crews.

"When we're looking for firefighters, we're looking for ones, especially athletes, who work well on teams," Cobb said. "I'm looking for someone who has been successful in a team environment, and Drew fits that. Also, firefighters have to stay in shape because the job is so demanding and requires physical exertion. Again, a person like Drew has those qualities.

"I know Drew has done well in his time at the University of Memphis, and he's been a leader on the field. Whatever he decides to pursue, which I think is firefighting, he'll be a leader there as well."

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