Athlete of the Week: 10 question with Johnny McGuire, Loyola Academy football

Johnny McGuire is a senior safety for the Ramblers. The West Rogers Park resident returned an interception for a touchdown in a win over St. Patrick on Oct. 15.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Not necessarily anything I have to do, but pregame I wear the same shoes, Irish flag Crocs, that I wear, with sweatpants and a bucket hat before every game. And I wear the same undershirt before every game. I got it at the state championship hockey game when I was in eighth grade. I made it into a cutoff and have worn it for every game at Loyola.

2. What do you hope to do next year?

I want to go somewhere where I have a shot at getting (playing) time and really making an impact on the team. Playing for a Power 5 school (in one of five conferences: Big Ten, Southeastern, Pacific 12, Atlantic Coast or Big 12) is a dream but it will probably be an Ivy League or Patriot League school.

3. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?

In the summer, I like to golf. I’m not great at it but really enjoy it. I go to the driving range some nights if we get out of practice early. It’s just something I like to do.

4. What is your dream job?

I want to go into the physical therapy field. So like being a trainer or physical therapist for a professional sport team would be pretty cool.

5. If you could another sport, what would it be?

Probably lacrosse. I played in grade school and didn’t get to play a full season freshman year. It’s a fun game. I could run around and use some of my athleticism and hit kids. That would be fun.

6. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I went to Hawaii this summer and would like to go back there. There is so much to do that we didn’t get to. So much more to explore.

7. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I gotta go with a nice big Arnold Palmer. That’s gotta be the go-to. For 99 cents, you can’t turn that down.

8. What is something people don’t know about you?

When I was in grade school, I used to Irish dance. It’s definitely helped with leg strength and footwork in football.

9. What is your personal sports highlight so far?

My interception against Brother Rice last year. I didn’t get any return yards, but because of how big that game was, that felt great. It was a big momentum shift. That was a really cool play.

10. What are the keys for Loyola’s upcoming playoff run?

Really just focus and studying. That’s what Loyola football is built on: smart players, knowing what we are doing, listening to each other and listening to the coaches. The coaches are going to put us in a position to succeed, so if we listen to them, communicate with each other, play smart football and study the opponent, I think we’ll go really far.

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