Brock Dieu is a graduating center from the Cougars football team. Dieu was given the captain role in his last season with the Cougars, and he made an effort to lead and protect the offense both on and off the field.
Dieu has made a lot of relationships in his years with WSU, but the biggest one he made is now his wife. Chloe and him had met through a lot of luck. Chloe came to Pullman for an internship in Pullman, but a lucky meeting at church helped them connect. The next summer she came back to town, and they hit it off.
“It’s been super amazing to have her here at every game, and she traveled every game. It’s been so much fun,” Dieu said.
In his childhood, Dieu knew that he wanted to play football. But unlike a lot of athletes, he did not have any idols to take after in the NFL. But his real inspiration was his father Jeff Dieu. He wanted to be like him, and even wanted to be better than him in some aspects to poke some fun at him.
Once he made it to his competitive football career, his family would always be the ones to inspire and push him along every game he played.
“I know it takes a village, there were many people behind me. My parents, siblings and my wife would cheer me on every game. It helps you play free and enjoy the moment,” he said.
He also got encouragement from teammates, and the bonds they share would go all over Pullman. The best spot Dieu loved to hang out with his teammates didn’t ever have a designated spot.
“Wherever the guys are at was where we wanted to be,” he said.
One highlight he gave of his personal favorites was Wing Wednesdays at Valhalla, something many people in Pullman could agree with. His go-to order was buffalo wings with extra Frank’s Red Hot sauce on it.
The playing career Dieu had with the Cougars was very successful, but he unfortunately got injured in the last two games of this season. He did not have any regrets though, understanding what effort he gives each play and the risks the sport has.
“It ends at some point, so why not give it your all everyday. I play how I play, and I live with no regrets. I played as hard as I could, and I will hang my hat on that,” he said.
Despite the injury, Dieu didn’t stop showing up for the team, sprinting/scooting out each game with a boot on his leg to bring energy from the sideline. He celebrated his team’s bowl game victory, and despite not eating a potato directly from the bowl, he still has a potato kept from the victory in Boise.
Even after the season has ended, Dieu has stayed prepared for an opportunity in the NFL, and due to his prep he stays ready for any invitation.
In recent weeks, he had received an invite to the defending Super Bowl champions rookie mini-camp. Dieu visited the Seahawks and is going to continue working each day to get a spot in the NFL.
But no matter where Dieu goes, he always knows there will be one fanbase that will always cheer him on.
“It’s not that I think the Cougs give extra support. It’s that I know that they do,” he said. “The Cougar community is such a special place and no matter where you go they’ll always have your back.”
