VIDEO: Stephen Louis Explains His Name, JMU Connections, and 1st Game Jitters

NC State Wide Receiver and Captain Stephen Louis spoke with the media on Wednesday, and he explained the correct pronunciation of his name, his connections to James Madison, and 1st game jitters. You can watch the video above, and read a BULLETED breakdown below.

On how to pronounce his name…

• We got to the bottom of a conundrum. His first name “Stephen” is pronounced with a French vibe, but his last name Louis is pronounced with the typical American rendering.
• With his family being from Haiti, the pronunciation of his first name makes sense, but you would expect his last name to be pronounced “lu-ee” instead of “lu-iss.”
• Louis clarified that his family pronounces it “lu-ee”, but he was raised in America, so he’s been pronouncing it “lu-iss.”

On his connection with James Madison Redshirt Senior Cornerback Jimmy Moreland…

• That’s my boy. We played together in Middle School, and were supposed to play High School ball together, but ended up going somewhere else. Kept up when I first got here, but not so much recently. I’m looking forward to seeing him.
• Played against each other one time in High School. It was a great matchup. I was at quarterback, and so was he. He played a little bit of DB, and I ended up scoring 4 touchdowns against them, but they ended up getting the win.

On James Madison’s Cornerbacks Jimmy Moreland and Rashad Robinson…

• Jimmy and Rashad are both really good. They play great technique. It will be a great challenge to open the season.

On how to tune out the hype surrounding the Wide Receivers Corps…

• You just tune it out by working. If you don’t put in the work, it won’t show. We understand we have to come in and work so we can live up to the expectations.
• I don’t feel any pressure. Kelvin and Jakobi don’t feel any pressure. We just want to go out and play our best game.

On positive momentum in the program…

• It’s great. When I got here in 2014, none of this was happening. It’s actually cool to see what Coach Doeren talked about in our first team meeting actually happening. In the first team meeting, Doeren talked about being a Top-25 team, recruiting the state of North Carolina well, and developing NFL talent.
• This was after the 3-9 season.

On his last first game…

• It’s different. When I got here I didn’t know anything. In high school I was playing all types of different positions. Barely knew how to read coverages. I was just playing off pure talent.
• Now that I know the game, it’s slowed down for me. Not as nervous going in.
• Still get the little butterflies, because it’s important to me, but I’m more prepared now.
• I know how to prepare as a player now. I know how to watch film. I know how to take care of my body.
• When the fireworks go off, and you see all the fans…all that red in there, and hear the band playing…you still get a little nervous. It will never get old to me.