In the huddle: Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy, Jr.

Two nicknames.

Why didn’t Tyrone Tracy think he recorded Purdue’s first kickoff return for a touchdown in 10 years last week against Fresno State?

And how did Tracy end up in the marching band?

The native of Indianapolis and Decatur Central graduate’s college career started at Iowa before landing in West Lafayette to play for the Boilermakers the last two seasons. His versatility allows Tracy to play running back and receiver and contribute in the return game. His 98-yard kickoff return against Fresno State for a touchdown was the program’s first since 2013.

Do you have a nickname?

On the field or off the field?

What’s your nickname on the field?

When I was at Iowa, they called me “Sweet Feet” just because of my YAC (yards after catch) and trying to make people miss, and making sure I get extra yards. It was something I actually started in the receiver room there because I feel like you can’t be a receiver room if you just catch the ball and go down. I didn’t bring that here, but I brought it with myself in making people miss or making moves in the open field. Sweet Feet, yes, but they don’t call me that here.

Off the field?

T. People call me T. No one calls me Tyrone. T is very simple and straight to the point.

I assume your parents call you Tyrone.

They call me T, too. My dad’s name is Tyrone. They call me T; they call him Tyrone.

Do you have any superstitions?

Before the game, I always listen to gospel music on the bus ride to the facility or wherever we’re playing. I listen to gospel music because it calms me down. I’m already hyped on game day; my energy is up, and I listen to gospel music to bring me back to reality. Once I get in the locker room, I turn on some hip-hop R&B. Whatever position group I’m in – last year it was the receivers; this year it’s the running backs – I get them up right before the game and then we do a little prayer before the game. That’s what I do. And I always eat an omelet before every game.

Even a night game?

Yes. It’s either the pregame meal or it’s at breakfast. I get ham, bacon and cheese. That’s it. That’s my go-to.

I assume you had an omelet Saturday when you returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Ham, bacon and cheese.

You’ll have another this Saturday?

I’m going to have the same one.

One thing your teammates don’t know about you

I was in the band when I was in middle school. I liked it and enjoyed it. I would tell them if they asked.

That topic probably doesn’t come up in a normal college football conversation.

You never hear – ‘Were you in the band?’

Your instrument?

I played the drums. I was pretty good at it. I played the snare drum. My older brother was actually in the band in middle school and high school. He did the whole thing. I enjoyed watching him and I decided to try it out and I liked it too, but it was hard for me to play football and do band.

I did enjoy it and it opened up my horizons on different skills I didn’t know I had. Being in the band allowed me to meet new people, allowed me to be comfortable around everybody.

Will you join the Purdue All-American Marching Band after playing football?

If they allowed me, I’d give it a shot. I don’t know how good I would be right now. It will take me a while to get back into it, but I would definitely try it. When you’re in the band, they teach you how to play the xylophone and the xylophone goes to the piano. I don’t know a lot, but I do know a little bit.

Does your family have a musical background?

I don’t know other than my brother, Charlie. He’s the one in our family that’s good at everything. He knew how to draw. He did band. He played sports. Now, he’s a manager of a sports agency and doing his thing.

Your worst habit?

I’m actually breaking it right now. I used to eat kind of bad. This past summer and spring, I started doing meal preps. I think in January, I weighed 198 and I’m 208 now and started doing meal preps. I eat teriyaki noodles, I make my own chicken, and make mixed vegetables. I eat that every day.

As opposed to

Going out and eating Culver’s, Wendy’s, getting a 4-for-4, or going to get some wings. Just eating bad. Just taking better care of my body to give myself the best opportunity and best shot of having a good season.

Your kickoff return for a touchdown was your first since …

High school. I had two in high school. Last year, I had one (kickoff return, no touchdown), and it was in the bowl game. I had to beg for that one. I did what I could last year. This year, it’s the first time I’ve actually started on kickoff returns.

Believe it or not, I was a little nervous back there. It was all good. They kicked off, I caught the ball, and my teammates did a wonderful job. I’ve got to give a shout-out to the scouts at practice. They did a wonderful job at practice because they gave us a great look. If you watch the film, they’re blocking everybody. I had to make one, or two people miss but other than that, I had to run straight. No cutbacks, no nothing. If you drew it up, that’s how it’s supposed to look.

https://www.foxsports.com/watch/play-69da7d77e00102c

Did you think you stepped out of bounds?

I thought I did. I told everybody in the building I thought I stepped out of bounds because it was so close but if I stepped out of bounds, they’re going to stop everything. They’ll blow the whistle or something. They didn’t blow the whistle. I was going to keep running until someone tells me to stop.

Ten years from now, you’ll be doing what?

Hopefully, in the NFL. I feel like I have a good shot at it. I feel like I have the ability and the skill set to last in the NFL. I just need one coach to believe in me.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome?

I’d have to go with some of my time at Iowa. That was tough on me. I kept getting my hopes up for having a good year and then getting let down. And in 2018, my friend – Dijon (Anderson), who was on my 7-on-7 team – passed away. That was pretty tough on the whole 7-on-7 team. Most of the people knew him because he was one of the big names in Indianapolis. When he passed away, that took me to a dark area because he was the first person I was close with who had actually passed away. He’s the reason why I wear No. 3. That’s something that will always be close to me.

If you didn’t play sports or were not involved in athletics, you’d be doing what right now?

I’d be in the band (laughing). I’d be back in Indianapolis doing something with my family. I’m a big family guy. But starting my career. I want to be a sports broadcaster or a sports analyst and doing something in that area as far as being a mentor or a motivational speaker. I feel like I have a story behind me and I feel like there are a lot of people who would be willing to hear it.