Why did you choose to attend the Naval Academy?
I realized that football is not guaranteed, I can’t play it all my life, so I had to have an alternate plan and this was the best plan, because once I graduate, I’ll be guaranteed a job and have an opportunity to serve my country. And if I want to, I can make a career out of it. It also creates other opportunities upon finishing [the] service.
You had an opportunity to meet President Obama. How did that come about?
By way of football and the Naval Academy itself. When [President Obama] was inaugurated, we had the commander in chief trophy ceremony in April of last year and that was the first time that we met him. The team presented him with a football helmet and we all signed it, but I took it upon myself to sign it five times [laughs], because my plan was the next time that I go, I wanted him to ask who is this Ricky person who signed this helmet five times. This past year when we went back, he didn’t ask about the helmet, he kind of called me out for different things [like] me wanting to be the next black president. But it was definitely an honor and a privilege for him to ask, ‘where’s Ricky?’ and to shake his hand, and for him to personally call me out of the crowd. So that was definitely a humbling experience and I was blessed to get that opportunity.
You were recently honored by your hometown, Douglasville, Ga. You were presented with the key to the city and June 13 was declared Ricky Dobbs Day. How did that make you feel?
It was definitely overwhelming. I just couldn’t believe it. … From watching documentaries about Michael Jordan and the athletes on TV … I used to always say [that] one day they’re gonna make a documentary of my life. I used to always dream of that. To see all of this come true just shows definitely [that] God is real and He is active and I’m just blessed to be a part of His plan.
Receiving a key to the city and [Douglasville] making it Ricky Dobbs Day, I’m not going to use it for Ricky, I’m going to use it to shine a light and give back to the community and let it be known that God is God and He is real.
Stay tuned for part two of rolling out’s interview with the Navy’s star quarterback, Ricky Dobbs, as he discusses the Naval Academy and his plans for the future.
