The Falcons selected Prince Shembo in the fourth round of this year’s draft with the idea that he could help their pass rush. Injuries eventually forced him to move to inside linebacker for training camp, but he’s made an impact with the Falcons while occasionally serving as a pass rusher.
Shembo has played 11 games, with three starts, while recording 39 tackles. Pro Football Focus rates Shembo has the Falcons’ top linebacker while playing 248 snaps.
We talked to Shembo about his interest in film and his African roots (edited for clarity and space).
Q: What do you like to do away from football?
A: That's a good question. I'm just a real chill dude, man. I just appear. I just play video games, really. And I read. When I'm bored enough, I read.
Q: What do you like to read?
A: The last book I read was the Bible. I read the Bible everyday. The other last book I read was autobiography by Nelson Mandela, "A Long Walk to Freedom." That was before the season, though. Now I'm reading my plays.
Q: You got your degree from Notre Dame in film, television and theatre. Are you into the performing arts?
A: Yes. I can't really tell you what the future holds right now, but hopefully I get into that field when I'm all said and done with football.
Q: What kind of work would you like to do in that industry?
A: We'll see, man. I'm a character. There's a side everybody doesn't see. I ain't going to tell you what it is. You've got to surprise people.
Q: Did you make films in college?
A: I like taped the girls' basketball team and things like that. Just being creative. It's kind of like making your own artwork.
Q: You were born in the United States, but your father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Have you been there?
A: No. I plan on going there eventually. I just have got to find a good time. It's not just on my time, it's on the whole family's time. That's the problem.
Q: Did your African heritage shape you growing up?
A: I was born here in the U.S., but the household was still Congolese: the culture, the food, everything. The only thing I didn't get was the language. I was speaking it when I was little, but then my dad wanted me to focus on English. In America, it wouldn't be good if I was going to school speaking French and no one would understand.
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