Jordan Carstens, former NFL player for the Carolina Panthers and current farmer, was kind enough to answer some questions about his life experiences with farming and football.
What is one of your fondest memories growing up on a farm?
One of my fondest memories growing up on our farm is my high school sophomore summer. We started building a hog barn at the end of spring planting and wanted to get done before harvest. The whole family chipped in and we were able to accomplish our goal.
Did you have a lot of farm duties as a child?
I had an extensive list of farm duties as a child. That list is probably too long to list here but the one that stands out to me was Our hogs at home. My brother and I were responsible for a group of hogs at an outside feedlot at our house during the summers when we were younger. We kept written records of every aspect of the operation, managed the herd health, the feed, and cleaned the lot by hand. I learned a lot in those early summers.
What drew you toward football growing up?
I was drawn to football at an early age. I was not allowed to play organized football until I was in high school so by that time I was really excited to join the team. I loved the physicality of the sport and my natural size gave me an advantage over others once I grew into my frame. I loved the team aspect and had great coaches that encouraged me to put in the extra time required to make it to the next level.
Was there a collegiate or professional player you looked up to most?
One of the first chapter books I read as a child was “Rise and Walk, the Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd”. I remember learning a lot from Dennis about what it took to become a player at the collegiate and professional levels of football along with being inspired by what he went through from an injury ending his football career and learning to walk all over again.
Did you choose Iowa State to stay close to home?
I chose Iowa State mainly because of its reputation as an excellent ag school. Because of that, I went to their high school camp as a junior and really liked the coaching staff and other players I met. The proximity to my home and the experience of game day at a major college sealed the deal for me.
What was it like fighting for your spot as a walk-on?
Fighting for a spot as a walk on at Iowa State taught me a lot of life lessons. One of the most important I learned along the way was that as long as I showed up every day and worked as hard as I could, I would get a chance to prove myself against some of the best players in the country. As long as I didn’t let intimidation prevent me from trying, I could compete against anyone. This carried on to a lot of experiences later in life.
Was there anything you found particularly challenging about being a student-athlete?
The athletics-school balance was probably the most challenging thing to figure out. I knew because I was paying my own way that first year that I needed to devote as much time as I could to school to get the most of what I was being taught in the classroom along with everything I was learning on the football field.
You earned many honors while playing for Iowa State. Is there one of which you’re most proud?
The academic All American honor is probably the one that I am most proud of. The athletic department at Iowa State gave me the tools needed to excel in the classroom through tutoring and group learning with other athletes going through the same things I was. That help gave me the skills needed to be successful in the classroom as well as the football field.
Did you find a particular camaraderie with other players from a farm or ranch background?
Most of the players that I became close friends with in college were not from a farm and ranch background. I can only recall a handful of players younger than me that were farm kids but I could definitely appreciate what they were going through.
What was the reception like at home when you found out you would be playing for the Carolina Panthers?
I remember vividly the support I got from family, friends, and the local community after I started playing for the Panthers. They were very encouraging when I would see them around town and also would reach out to me to let me know they were all behind me and were very proud of what I was doing.
Did you connect with any other farm athletes while playing in the NFL?
One of my closest friends in Carolina was another farm kid from Iowa. Even though we were rivals in college, our midwest roots and common core values started a friendship that has carried on to this day.
After retiring, what made you want to return to farming?
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a part of our family farm. Even though my football career took me to places I never would have seen and introduced me to people I wouldn’t have met without it, I knew I would eventually end up raising my family on the farm and carrying on the legacy that my Great Grandpa started over a century ago.
Do you have any advice for current farm athletes as they finish up college and either look to become professional athletes or start their careers?
My advice to current players would be to stay as close to your agricultural roots as you can while still accomplishing all of the goals you set for your professional career. Even if those goals include becoming a professional athlete, that career won’t last forever and I would recommend taking the same path I did back to your roots on the farm.
Why do you think it is crucial for farm athletes always to honor their agricultural roots?
It is crucial for farm athletes to honor their agricultural roots to keep the family aspect we currently have in agriculture alive. The family farm has historically allowed us to raise our kids in a way that few others can along with allowing us to produce top quality commodities in a manner that other industries can’t match.
Thanks for your time!
