Downing gives middle school students a lesson

The six pillars of character include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship have been around since 1992 was when CHARACTER COUNTS! was created.

Thursday, on the last day for school at the middle school in Creston, 2018 Creston Community High School graduate, 2021 Iowa State graduate and current Iowa State football player Trevor Downing was featured at the character rally.

“I spoke to the student body today,” Downing said.

Downing took part in a question and answer session with the students that had their hand raised after being interviewed by his mother, Lesa, who is the new principal of Creston Middle School.

Questions like “What is your favorite movie?”, “Who is your favorite NFL player?” and “Who would you want to play for in the NFL?” were among the inquiries provided.

Those answers included “Talladega Nights,” “Tom Brady” and “Kansas City”.

Downing did have some favorite questions he was asked, as well.

“Just about the process,” Downing said. “Not too long ago I was in their shoes and how I persevered through my own struggles.”

New position

Downing, who was wearing a black polo akin to the black jerseys Iowa State has worn since 2018 was uncertain whether or not it gave him a speed boost.

“A lot of people love wearing them. so, I guess that’s more important than wearing our regular red and gold,” Downing said.

Position changes on the offensive line are uncommon, but it does happen.

When Downing was at CCHS, Downing played to the right side of the offensive line as both guard and tackle.

For the majority of fall 2021, Downing was on the left side of the ball until being moved to center when Ames native Colin Newell got dinged up before the Cheez-It Bowl.

At the open practices this spring, located at Ames High School and Gilbert High School, Downing was seen as the starting center.

“I’m looking forward to it, and it’s a challenge in of itself,” Downing said. “For the bowl game, I had two weeks to prepare for center. I never snapped a ball before which was a little nerve wracking when we were backed up I didn’t want to snap it over his (Purdy’s) head.”

Additional tidbits

Downing is one of the five Cyclones featured on the 2022 schedule poster.

“It’s more of an honor than anything,” Downing said. “To be one of the guys on the poster is humbling.”

The Iowa State Cyclone Football ‘Varsity’ Marching Band, which features two CCHS graduates in Mackenzie Bodell and Brittany Linch, are ramping up for another exciting season.

“I love hearing them,” Downing said. “I know they come into the Berg and play the fight song for the newcomers, that’s pretty much our only interaction. We make our freshman sing the fight song which is interesting because they don’t know the words.”

Iowa State opens their season at home against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. on Big 12 Now/ESPN+.

The Cyclones have never faced the Redhawks before.

“That first game is always nerve wracking though it doesn’t matter who you’re playing,” Downing said. “You’re beating up on each other and you don’t know what your strengths and your weaknesses are coming out of the gate. It’ll be a good game I’m sure.”