Tyree won’t follow father
KU defensive end not interested in broadcasting
Like father, like son does not apply to Kansas University football player Greg Tyree.
Tyree’s father has been a radio-television sports personality for nearly 30 years, and the KU defensive end has no desire to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
“I haven’t considered it,” said Tyree, a defensive end who is one of 20 seniors who Saturday will suit up for the last time at Memorial Stadium when KU meets Texas. “I’m more so into public relations. It’s a little bit like that, but it’s different.”
Gil Tyree has been the weekday sports anchor at the CBS TV affiliate in Atlanta for about two years. Prior to that, the elder Tyree spent several years in the Phoenix market. Tyree played high school football in suburban Phoenix while his dad worked in Arizona.
“I’m very proud of my father,” Tyree said. “As you grow up, you can see how tough it is in that field. It motivates me to put myself in a position to succeed.”
While growing up, Tyree lived in Richmond, Va., and Birmingham, Ala., while his dad worked for media outlets in those cities. His father also has worked behind a microphone in Jacksonville, Fla.
Son Greg has had a quiet career at Kansas. With two games remaining, the 6-foot, 245-pounder has yet to earn a start.
Tyree came to KU out of Desert Vista High as an undersized linebacker and took a red-shirt season in 2000. As a freshman in 2001, he mostly was a special-teams player. As a sophomore, Tyree played in only four games. Last year, he was a backup linebacker, playing in 12 of the 13 games, including the Tangerine Bowl.
Prior to his final season, Tyree was switched to defensive end and early on was utilized only as a piece of the nickel package on obvious passing downs. During the last two or three weeks, however, Tyree has logged considerable minutes in non-passing situations as a backup for fixture David McMillan, who has started 34 consecutive games.
Tyree
On the field, Tyree has three tackles for losses, including a pair of sacks and an interception.
Like most seniors, Tyree can’t believe how the years have flown by.
“It really has been fast,” he said. “But in those two weeks we have left, I’m going to do the best I can.”
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KU tackle honored: Senior defensive tackle and co-captain Travis Watkins has been named to the Academic All-District VII Football Team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Watkins, an American history major, has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average the last four semesters.
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