How’d he get here? Third-round draft pick out of Northern Illinois.
Favorite pro team growing up: “Chicago Bulls because of Michael Jordan. Strictly because of Michael Jordan.”
So you aren’t all that excited for this Bulls-Pistons series? “Not really, I have a lot on my mind, football-wise.”
College team growing up: “It was Michigan because of the Fab Five back then, but since I’ve taken a liking to the University of Miami.”
Favorite non-football sport to play: Basketball
To watch: Basketball
Favorite player growing up: “I can’t say that I had just one. There were numerous. Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, of course Michael Jordan. I had a lot.”
Favorite game you’ve ever played in: “My first big game was in seventh grade. We played Washington Park. Kelvin Hayden, who plays for the Colts, he played on that team as well, so that was the best game I ever played in. They beat us 6-2.”
Favorite game you’ve watched as a fan: USC-Texas
Toughest loss you’ve ever had as a player: “2005 MAC Championship to Akron. Lost in the last 18 seconds of the game. It was something out of ESPN Classic. You watch that stuff all the time. It was an ESPN Classic moment but I was on the losing end of it.”
Toughest loss you’ve watched as a fan: “When Ohio State beat Miami, I almost cried. I’m a big Hurricanes fan. I’m a fan of the way they beat up on everybody. … Granted, you have to be happy for the underdog, but I was miserable that Miami lost.”
Favorite pig-out food: “Macaroni and cheese. Baked macaroni and cheese, not the box. Homemade.”
Favorite vacation spot: “St. Croix or the Bahamas. Anywhere in that vicinity.”
Best advice you ever received: “Actually, there are two. ‘A man that has not found something worth dying for is not fit to live.’ That’s a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King. And another quote that I’ve found that corresponds to that is, ‘Find something worth dying for, and then live for it.’ “
High school mascot: Crusader
Toughest rivalry you’ve been a part of: “The ones in high school, you cared a little more for them ’cause they were closer. College [games] were much more important, but I can’t really say that we had any rivals, not that I can think of.”
So was there one high school game you looked forward to more than others? Holy Cross-St. Patrick
TV show you can’t miss: ” ‘The Jamie Foxx Show.’ His TV show is unbelievable. Watching the reruns, it never gets dull. It’s so funny every single time because you catch something new every time.”
Favorite movie: “Harlem Nights“
Favorite sports movie: “Remember the Titans“
