Bears Rookie Dieugot Joseph Sits Down With Sports Mockery

In a league that puts such a premium on quarterback play, few things are more treasured that quality blocking up front. New Chicago Bears undrafted rookie Dieugot Joseph, a left tackle from Florida International University knows this better than most. Every given year in the NFL there are hundreds of young, new faces hoping to carve out a bright career in pro football. Several of them come from humble beginnings.

Being undrafted is not the stigma it used to be. Not even close. Cameron Meredith proved that last year. Experts would like people to believe the best offensive linemen come from the draft, and high in the draft at that. Tell that to Jason Peters. Many people don’t know the nine-time Pro Bowler went undrafted out of Arkansas. Same goes for the likes of Joe Jacoby back in the 1980s or the iconic Lou Groza.

Joseph knows the draft is notorious for not getting everything right and he was willing to sit down with Sports Mockery to explain why Chicago was smart to sign him.

Getting to know Bears rookie Dieugot Joseph

Joseph stands a rangy 6’6″ and 293 lbs. His tape reveals a big athlete who moves well in space, which explains why he made such an effective left tackle at FIU. The team itself wasn’t able to win many games, but during that time coaches saw how dedicated he was to changing that. He worked constantly on his game and played through some tough injuries.

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Somebody must’ve been watching. Even though he went undrafted, the Bears made him a pretty substantial offer to sign as a free agent.

Bears rookie tackle Dieugot Joseph (FIU) got $17,500 total guaranteed in his signing bonus and guaranteed money in his first-year salary

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 1, 2017

That may not sound like much in wider context to NFL contracts but this was a vote of confidence from GM Ryan Pace and the team that they wanted him on the roster. He in turn wanted to play for them. Why? Well that’s a fascinating story we’re going to get to. I had the chance to chat with Dieugot about everything from football, to his family and his future.

It’s quite a tale.

Is it true you’re from Haiti?

“No sir I’m Haitian but I’m from Orlando. My mom came to the U.S I think 30 years ago.”

Did she just want a chance at greater opportunities?

“That’s exactly what it was, she wanted a different life for her children.”

How is it you got into football?

“Well I started playing both basketball and football at the same time in high school. I became an athlete and just never looked back. It was a choice that took time, but I always knew my passion was on the football field.”

What made you choose to attend Florida International?

“There were others that were in play, it really came down to FIU and Middle Tennessee but at the end of the day FIU was close to home & with TY Hilton the program was rising. I just knew that it would be a good fit for me. My experiences at FIU led me to be the man I am today.”

What sort of man is that?

“A hard-working man who loves competition! I come to work every day and I intend make an impact and help the team win.”

What strengths do you offer and was any one person crucial to helping you develop them?

“My biggest strengths are my quickness, foot speed and strike. Definitely my O-line coach in college Steve Shankweiler. I was at first a defensive end coming in. After making the change and working relentlessly we knew we started something special.”

Who suggested the change?

“Well I think it was a group decision by our coaches including Ron Turner and Andre Patterson who both have NFL ties. They knew I had the tools needed to be successful at the position for a long time.”

Is there a particular play or game that sticks out as your favorite from college?

“Honestly there is one game that I will always remember in college. It was 2015 vs. Indiana. A close game but we didn’t come out on top. I just loved the atmosphere, the pressure, the tension in the air. I remembered every second. Just love that feeling like it was war and everyone is against you. It was the second play of the game. I said to myself, “I want to send everybody home mad.” So I came off the line and just clean ran through one of their linebackers.”

FUN FACT: Jordan Howard, whom Dieugot might be blocking for in the future, ran for 159 yards in that same game for Indiana.

Did you expect to go undrafted? It couldn’t have been easy.

“I knew there was a chance but no I didn’t expect to be undrafted. I knew I was projected rounds 4-7 but I also knew you cannot predict how it would go. Honestly there was a lot of teams that I knew it was possible, including the Bengals, Giants, and Texans. All needed tackles, especially left tackles.”

Did those teams try to sign you after the draft ended? Why choose the Bears?

“All of those teams offered and a few more. I chose the Bears because I knew they just drafted Trubisky in the first round and they were going to need someone to protect him.”

Who would you consider your football inspiration?

“Well I look up to a lot of great players in the NFL but I am my own inspiration. I hope one day to reach the same greatness. I believe that no one is the same so I don’t model my game after theirs but I take tools and techniques from guys like Trent Williams and Tyron Smith and try to add them to my arsenal.”

Do you have long-term plans for whenever football is done?

“Well I hope to start a business after with my brother. We have different ideas but my ultimate goal is to start a family and be a father to many children one day.”