University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Get To Know Me: John Tate IV
Dec 20, 2018 | Football
Tigers defensive lineman made history in the win over Georgia State Sept. 14.
Note: John Tate IV's "Get To Know Me" first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Oct. 6 when Memphis hosted Connecticut.
In the 59-22 victory against Georgia State Sept. 14, John Tate did something no other football player who has ever donned the Blue and Gray can say they've done – block a field goal attempt AND a PAT in the same game. Of course, blocked kicks have been achieved before, including Tate's blocked PAT against ECU in 2017 or the Ken Irvin's school-record four blocked punts against Arkansas in 1992, but no Tiger had recorded two different types of blocked kicks in the same game.
Blocking comes naturally for Tate after spending much of his youth blocking the basketball shots of his father, John Tate III. Tate's father starred for Arkansas State on the court in the mid-1980s, finishing his career as the program's third-leading scorer with 1,776 points.
The redshirt sophomore's ability to block kicks isn't the only bit of information Tiger Nation needs to know about the Pine Bluff, Ark., native. The Tigers defensive lineman is devoted to the program and has the expectation that he's going to lead by example.
I started played football… My fourth grade year. My mom didn't want me to play until I was in sixth grade, but I had a coach that lived right around the corner from us, and he came to my house every day asking if I could come play football.
My most embarrassing moment in a game was… In high school when we were playing North Little Rock. They ran the stretch-away (play), and their tackle came behind me, and he flipped me in front of everyone.
If given a choice of whether to read the book or watch the movie… I would watch the movie. I like reading, but I feel like I can gain more from watching the movie. I can see it.
My favorite forms of social media are… Oh, that's hard. My top two are Twitter and Instagram. I like Twitter because I have a lot of Memphis fans that follow me and will retweet my stuff. But, I like Instagram because all of my friends follow me, and they like my pictures.
When I'm not at practice, I am… Either in study hall, class, or eating Chick-fil-A in the University Center (UC).
My major is… Sport and Leisure Management. I plan on being a coach if the NFL doesn't work out. I feel I can be a good leader.
This past summer, I… Stayed here on campus. I just worked out with Coach Storms.
If I won the lottery, I would… I would go shopping. I would buy a car, a house and do stuff for Memphis and my hometown of Pine Bluff.
If I were a superhero, the super power I would have is… The ability to jump high. I want to be like the Hulk.
The No. 1 thing on my bucket list is… To travel.
My favorite meal my mom cooks for me… Hamburgers and fries.
The other sport played as a kid was… Basketball.
The TV show no one can believe I watch is… Golden Girls.
A reality show that I can win is… Survivor.
The one word that best describes me is… Handsome.
My favorite website is… Twitter.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… LeBron James.
The most famous person I've met is… (NFL Hall of Famer) Deion Sanders.
My dream job is… To become a coach.Â
In the 59-22 victory against Georgia State Sept. 14, John Tate did something no other football player who has ever donned the Blue and Gray can say they've done – block a field goal attempt AND a PAT in the same game. Of course, blocked kicks have been achieved before, including Tate's blocked PAT against ECU in 2017 or the Ken Irvin's school-record four blocked punts against Arkansas in 1992, but no Tiger had recorded two different types of blocked kicks in the same game.
Blocking comes naturally for Tate after spending much of his youth blocking the basketball shots of his father, John Tate III. Tate's father starred for Arkansas State on the court in the mid-1980s, finishing his career as the program's third-leading scorer with 1,776 points.
The redshirt sophomore's ability to block kicks isn't the only bit of information Tiger Nation needs to know about the Pine Bluff, Ark., native. The Tigers defensive lineman is devoted to the program and has the expectation that he's going to lead by example.
I started played football… My fourth grade year. My mom didn't want me to play until I was in sixth grade, but I had a coach that lived right around the corner from us, and he came to my house every day asking if I could come play football.
My most embarrassing moment in a game was… In high school when we were playing North Little Rock. They ran the stretch-away (play), and their tackle came behind me, and he flipped me in front of everyone.
If given a choice of whether to read the book or watch the movie… I would watch the movie. I like reading, but I feel like I can gain more from watching the movie. I can see it.
My favorite forms of social media are… Oh, that's hard. My top two are Twitter and Instagram. I like Twitter because I have a lot of Memphis fans that follow me and will retweet my stuff. But, I like Instagram because all of my friends follow me, and they like my pictures.
When I'm not at practice, I am… Either in study hall, class, or eating Chick-fil-A in the University Center (UC).
My major is… Sport and Leisure Management. I plan on being a coach if the NFL doesn't work out. I feel I can be a good leader.
This past summer, I… Stayed here on campus. I just worked out with Coach Storms.
If I won the lottery, I would… I would go shopping. I would buy a car, a house and do stuff for Memphis and my hometown of Pine Bluff.
If I were a superhero, the super power I would have is… The ability to jump high. I want to be like the Hulk.
The No. 1 thing on my bucket list is… To travel.
My favorite meal my mom cooks for me… Hamburgers and fries.
The other sport played as a kid was… Basketball.
The TV show no one can believe I watch is… Golden Girls.
A reality show that I can win is… Survivor.
The one word that best describes me is… Handsome.
My favorite website is… Twitter.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… LeBron James.
The most famous person I've met is… (NFL Hall of Famer) Deion Sanders.
My dream job is… To become a coach.Â
Players Mentioned
DL
/ FootballFootball: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-September 24, 2025
Wednesday, September 24
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-September 24 2025
Wednesday, September 24
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference-September 23, 2025
Tuesday, September 23
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-September 22, 2025
Monday, September 22