Terry Pierce
Kansas State Linebacker, 1999-2002
- 2000 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year
- 2001 Academic All-Big 12
- 2001 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
- 2002 First Team All-Big 12
- 2003 Round 2 / Pick 51 / Denver Broncos
I’m with the legend Terry Pierce, one of the greatest linebackers in K-State history, and we’re on the field at Bill Snyder Family Stadium at the game against Troy. My friend, it’s good to see you!
It’s good to see you as well. How's it going?
I’m great! It’s a beautiful day for some K-State football!
How was it to “Bring On The Cats” today?
It was different. You know, nobody brought on the cats when I played. So, it was awesome to be a part of that whole experience, and to be in a tunnel that a lot of our playing created. It's awesome.
Before we get into your playing days, this place just looks a little different these days, right? What’s your thoughts on the stadium today?
It's a different world. We operated with about 70% of this. All the new limestone and everything that's gone into here has made this a cool setup. I mean, what they've done with the facility is outrageous. It’s second to none as far as everything that I've seen. Absolutely second to none.
Like you mentioned, the foundation of this stadium goes back to the foundation of the teams like the ones you played for.
True enough. Just look at the new indoor practice facility. What they can do now at the new Indoor is amazing. We used to be over there (pointing towards the old indoor practice facility) and it was dark and kinda musty. This new clean setup they have now is awesome!
Back in the day though, the old building was cutting edge technology!
It was back in the day, and it was one of the biggest ones back in the day. Nowadays, you have the true support of the alums that have come back and given to this school for a place like that. It’s incredible!
Hailing from the DFW Metroplex, Benbrook, Texas, what was it that recruited you to Kansas State?
It was Phil Bennett (Former Defensive Coordinator). Phil Bennett recruited me out of the state of Texas, but ultimately it really boiled down to Michael Bishop. That 1998 team and that defense and everything that they did, I think, brought in the best recruiting class Kansas State's ever had in 1999.
What was it like playing football for K-State?
At the end of the day, it was really about the team, right? We did a really good job of creating that family atmosphere. The performances, and all those things, came in second to the work that was put in to get us there. A lot of what happened at K-State is what shaped the rest of my life. In terms of discipline and understanding where I need to be, what I’ve got to do, what my responsibilities are, and all those things. I think it's the same thing for a lot of my teammates.
After playing here, of course, you got drafted by the Denver Broncos. What was your NFL tenure like?
I was in the NFL for three years. Well, four years, but technically three. I got injured my rookie year, I tore my pectoral muscle, and the rest of my rookie year was never really the same after that. But getting to share a locker room with Jerry Rice and John Lynch and Champ Bailey and all them. Yeah, man, those experiences came second to none.
After your time at Kansas State and the NFL, what are you doing now?
So now I'm running a startup with a good friend of mine that's based in Miami. We do a lot of corporate finance, and we do a lot with payment terms and things like that with corporations. I've been doing something like this for the past 15 years or so. It’s a different world than football, right? But, there's the reason why you graduate with a finance degree.
What do you miss the most about Manhattan, Kansas?
The people. I don't see any structures that are amazing or anything like that, but the people made Manhattan, and still do. If you walk into Manhattan right now, still today, there are people that if I go to certain places, will know exactly who I am, just by me walking in there. And I haven’t been here consistently for a couple of years. So it's crazy to see that people still remember what you did and what you put on the field.
Mr. Terry Pierce, you're the man.
Thank you, brother.
Appreciate this great chat with you. Thank you for your time.
No, no, thank you. Thank you, Tyler.
Wildcat Legends: Where are they now? is brought to you by Community First National Bank. With two locations in Manhattan to serve you, Community First National Bank is helping to create the legend in you! Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.