Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner shares his journey from Illini football to the Capitol in Springfield

NBC Sports' Big Ten Country

On today's Big Ten Country, James Neveau and Kenneth Davis are joined by Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner, who represents Illinois' 26th House district. Rep. Buckner weighs in on budget negotiations and his legislative priorities in Springfield, and on the confluence of sports and politics as the Chicago Bears seek stadium funding. Later, Rep. Buckner discusses his time as a lineman for the Illini under Ron Zook, which culminated in a Rose Bowl appearance, and how his time as a player influenced his work to codify NIL payments and his criticisms of the NCAA's handling of student athletes. Finally, he reveals the biggest lesson he took from his time at Illinois as he launched his career in politics.