By Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

IndyStar Colts beat writer Stephen Holder will talk with a member of the team each week for a wide-ranging conversation that sheds light on their personality, background and interests.

This week: Cornerback Josh Gordy

Question: I read that you’re a big advocate for hemophilia (a disorder in which blood doesn’t clot normally). How did that come about?

Answer: I Have a nephew, Nolan Andrews, who is a severe Type A hemophiliac with inhibitors. That means that his type can sometimes block the medicines that he’s taken. Someone with just a severe form of hemophilia can take the medicine, and it’ll pretty much help your blood clot. But the inhibitors stop the medicine, and then you have to double up on the meds. So, at that point, the cost really goes up.

That’s a big issue. He had a recent episode where he lost a tooth, just like any young kid would. But it’s been bleeding for like three weeks. It’ll stop during the day and at night start again. He’s had numerous trips to the hospital. It’s a hereditary issue, but my sister didn’t know she had the gene until her son was born with it. It’s a tough road.

Q: So, there’s no cure?

A: There’s currently no cure. You can treat it. As you get older, sometimes your blood-clot factors can adjust. At one time, we thought that was happening, but his blood-clot numbers shot back up again, and it’s been like that ever since. You can imagine as a young boy how hard it can be to stop him from playing rough so he doesn’t get hurt or anything.

Q: So, you’re trying to raise money and awareness for this. Do you find that it’s not something people are familiar with?

A: That’s the main reason it’s hard. We have to get the word out as much as possible. It’s not one of the more (well-known) disorders. So, I just try to get it out as best I can. I have a nonprofit for it (Josh Gordy Hope Foundation), and that’s my main focus in the offseason.

Q: On a lighter note, you are from a place called Warthen, Georgia, which has a population of 1,000. What is life like in a place like that?

A: You hear it all the time, but it’s actually true: Everybody knows everybody. You ask somebody their last name, and you know the whole family and where they live at. But I love it. It’s laid-back. I love to go down to the country and just relax.

Q: How many kids were in your graduating class in high school?

A: We had 180, but we had one high school for the whole county. That’s the only reason why. I went to college with a guy from Dallas who had 2,000 kids in his class. To me, that’s crazy. Because the people I graduated with, we went to kindergarten together. We came all the way up together. Also, (former NFL linebacker) Takeo Spikes graduated from the same school.

Q: So, now for my weekly questions: What is playing most right now on your iPod?

A: Right now, probably some (R&B singer) Anthony Hamilton. I’m listening to Jay Z, too. But then when it’s game time, I go with something a little more extreme, maybe (rappers) Young Jeezy or T.I.

Q: What website do you visit most?

A: I would say eBay. I’m always surfing on there. I’m not an impulse buyer, but if I find a good deal, I’m getting it.

Q: What reality show do you watch faithfully?

A: I wouldn’t say I watch any reality shows really, to be honest. I do watch “Family Feud” every day, though. Seriously. Every night at 7 o’clock I’m watching Steve Harvey. That’s my guy.