For Pitt’s Stephens, diabetes requires strict regimen

A second-team All-Big East defensive lineman and two -time Academic All-American, Pittsburgh’s Dan Stephens is a perfect mix of brains and brawn.

It takes discipline to be that successful on the field and in the classroom, and Stephens said much of his discipline is due to a lifechanging event 11 years ago, when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

For the senior in football eligibility — he has graduated and is pursuing a master’s degree in public international affairs — the demands of school and football require him to constantly check his blood-sugar level. He does so 15 times daily, including at 3 a.m.

"For me, this is life," Stephens said.

Before sitting down to eat, Stephens must shoot his stomach with insulin.

"You have to stay focused and take responsibility for yourself," Stephens said on Monday. "It has made me a stronger person. I don’t want people to look at me differently because I have diabetes."

Stephens, who registered 34 tackles (five for loss) and one sack this year, aspires to work in a government publichealth position that affords him an opportunity to mentor young diabetics.

"I’d like to help kids learn that they don’t have to let diabetes stop them," Stephens said.

TEMPER CONTROL

Last year, Utah offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu was a bit of a hothead, as the 6-foot-4, 338-pounder was ejected from consecutive games for kicking an opposing player. As a result, he developed a reputation as a dirty player.

Wi th Mountain West Conference-mandated anger management training behind him, Kemoeatu in 2004 set out to repair his character. He has been a model on-field citizen, and his play has earned him inclusion on some All-America teams.

"I’ve matured," Kemoeatu said. "I can control that side of me now. It was really bad for a while — I used to get in fights in practice. I wasn’t playing dirty, but I just overreacted in the heat of the moment."

LIKE A LITTLE KID

This is the second trip — but just the first postadolescence visit — to the Fiesta Bowl for Utah defensive coordinator and headcoach-to -be Kyle Whittingham.

As a 15-year-old in 1974, Whittingham took in the Fiesta Bowl sights and activities while his father, Fred, did game preparation as a Brigham Young assistant coach. That year, the Cougars lost to Oklahoma State, 16-6.

"I just ran all around and had a good time," Whittingham said. "It was the best experience of my bowl career, up to that point."

HE’S BUYING

Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris was asked if Larry Fitzgerald — the former Panthers star wide receiver who left school early and was drafted by the Cardinals in April — will visit practice.

"Heck, I’m hoping he’ll take the whole staff out to dinner," Harris said of Fitzgerald, who signed a sixyear deal with Arizona that could pay him as much as $60 million.