Without question, Cleveland Gladiators defensive lineman Silas Demary has never had an issue getting to the quarterback.
Demary, in his eighth season in the Arena Football League, is one of the best when it comes to blowing by offensive linemen. So what's the secret to his success?
"That first step," says Demary.
Demary stated that for any young defensive lineman, they must master the art of the first step.
"You have to have that great first step. If you are going to do anything, work on your first step."
If anyone should know, it's Silas Demary.
A collegiate standout at Virginia State University, Demary currently ranks 10th in AFL history in sacks with 37.5. This Saturday, when the Cleveland Gladiators (11-8) travel to Philadelphia to take on the Soul (14-3) in the National Conference Championship game, he will need one-half sack to break a three-way tie and move into seventh place all-time on the postseason sacks list with 5.5 career. Demary also needs 1.5 tackles for loss to pass John Moyer and move into third place in AFL postseason history with 8.5 career.
Demary advises that the only way to master the art of the first step is practice.
"Get out there before practice. It's all about repetition and wanting to be the best."
When he isn't practicing his first step, Demary is helping those younger than him get better. In his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, he spends his offseason coaching youth football players ages 11-13.
"I just try to get them ready for when they play in middle school and high school," he says of his coaching. "A lot of the kids watch our games so they know me and they want to learn from me. And the same goes for the parents because they want to learn also. But more importantly, it's about teaching them how to be young adults."
Demary stated that he would potentially like to coach in the future but he would also like to get into commentating or even take a position in the League office.
"I have a couple of different things that I would like to do."
A jack of all trades, Demary has also put his degree in criminal justice to good use having worked for the Wake County (NC) Sherriff's Department, the Okeechobee (FL) Juvenile Offender Corrections Center and as a youth counselor in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
With a win on Saturday, the eight-year veteran will get the opportunity to play in the ArenaBowl for the first time.
Talk about a great first step.
Silas Demary can be seen on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12th on ESPN at 1:00 P.M. ET when the Cleveland Gladiators (11-7) travel to the Wachovia Center to play the Philadelphia Soul (14-3) in the National Conference Championship game.