Central Michigan University Athletics
Anthony Tyus Profile
11/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 22, 2004
By Fred Stabley Jr.
Sports Information Director
At eight years of age, Anthony Tyus Jr. knew he was going to be a football player.
Shortly thereafter, he was given a video that changed his body not to mention his life.
"It was a Herschel Walker video and it showed how he became the athlete he was," Tyus recalled. "When he watched TV, he would he would do pushups and sit ups during the commercials. And, that's what I started doing."
And, as they say, the rest is history.
Now a senior linebacker for Central Michigan University, the Lansing Sexton High product packs an incredibly solid 225 pounds on his 5-10 frame.
One veteran Chippewa observer said about Tyus, "That's the best physique I've ever seen in a CMU locker room."
"It was a combination of hard work on my part and being blessed," Tyus said. "My mother is stocky and my father has some height. I kind of got half of each."
Like Walker, Tyus was a running back in high school.
But, when it came time to select a college, he was being looked at as a fullback on offense or a strong safety on defense.
CMU started recruiting Tyus as a sophomore and the Chippewas wanted him as a fullback.
"I had a lot of different schools to choose from," Tyus said. "But, I prayed and God led me to Central Michigan."
Tyus spent two days at fullback before the coaching staff asked him if he would like to try his hand on defense.
"I played linebacker in high school and I loved the move," Tyus said. "I like hitting and being aggressive on the field. I never regretted the switch."
However, as with all defensive players, Tyus still feels he has the ability to make something happen with the ball in his hands. He did return a kickoff 35 yards in 2002 and had a chance earlier this year at Northern Illinois.
"I was going to take it back for a touchdown," Tyus said. "But, the wind was blowing so hard, I misjudged it and Northern recovered the ball."
So much for his offensive career.
His defensive career is just fine, though.
Anthony started all 11 games in 2003 and finished second on the team in tackles with 125. He's played in all 10 games this fall and has 57 tackles. For his career, he has 290 tackles.
Tyus is far from just a football player, though. He's a father, a husband and a health fitness major who will graduate in May.
Anthony and his high school sweetheart wife, Vylissa, have a son, Anthony Tyus III, who they call "Tre." The two are also expecting another son in April, a boy who they will name Xavior.
"Becoming a father has been great," said Tyus. "It's made me more focused and driven. I had to grow up and take care of my family."
Tyus would love to continue his football career after college at some level. However, he is prepared to take his college degree and eventually become a strength and conditioning coach at the college level.
In fact, he is planning to do an internship in the field with current CMU strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo.
"I have tremendous respect for Coach Longo, " said Tyus. "He's one of the best in the country. I like his philosophy in the weight room and I couldn't learn from a better person.
"You watch how this CMU football team continues to get bigger and stronger in future years under him. When you take what Coach (Brian) Kelly brings to the program and what Coach Longo brings, you'll see this team winning a MAC championship in the near future."
As Tyus' career winds down, he wanted to express his appreciation for the support he received from his parents, Arnetta and Anthony Tyus Sr. "They've always been there for me and helped me keep my head on straight," said Anthony Jr. "They've been great."
