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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ask Deuce, Part VI
9/27/2000 | Football
Q- People are saying that you may be the first pick in the NFL draft next spring, do you have a favorite NFL team and is there a team you would prefer to be drafted by?
-Jonathon Bates, Flora, Miss.
-Lou Pickney, Huntington, W.V.
-Jennifer Carter, Cordova, Tenn.
-Paul McDonald, Memphis, Tenn.
A- My favorite NFL team is definitely the San Francisco 49ers. As far as who I would like to play for, if I had a choice, I would just hope to play for a team that is located in a warm climate. I do not have control over who picks me, so whoever drafts me is who I am going to go out and try to represent as best as possible.
Q- Since you are an all-purpose player, what part of you game is your favorite-running back, receiver or returner?
-Molly Lonergan, Lexington, Ky.
-George Carpten, Memphis, Tenn.
A- All three. I just like to take the challenge to go out and try to make a play. It doesn't matter if I am playing running back or receiver, or if it is part of the kicking game, I am just going out there to make a play.
Q- If football was to end for you tomorrow, and you had to write your autobiography now, what would be the theme of it and why?
-Peyton Ford, Washington D.C.
A- That is a tough one. If football ended for me today, I would have to say the theme of my autobiography would have to be "missed opportunities" or "lost chances", something like that. I have never won a conference championship or a national championship. As far as football is concerned, that would be one of my biggest disappointments. I won district championships, but never a state championship in high school. I haven't won an SEC championship or a division championship in college, so ending football for me today would end my chances to reach those goals.
Q- I am only eight years old, but I have a dream to one day follow in your footsteps and become the star running back at Ole Miss. What can I start doing now to help make this dream a reality?
-Terez Davis, Morton, Miss.
A- First of all you need to get an education. You won't be able to play football all of your life, so you need to make sure you get your education. There are a lot of people that have gone ahead of you that are going to want to give you advice, and the best thing you can do there is listen to them. A lot of them have been through all of this and know what it is like, so their advice is very valuable. When you are young the most important thing you should do is go out and have fun! At the same time when somebody tries to help you, listen to them, don't just blow them off.
Q- I am 17 and have been watching Ole Miss football since I started playing in 7th grade back in the days when John Avery was the stud running back. I was wondering if John gave you any advice before he left after his senior season, and if so what did he tell you?
-Sean Brennan, Kingwood, Texas
A- John Avery gave me some very good advice before he left and I have tried my best to take follow it. He told me that you are only in college once, so you should enjoy each and every minute of it. I think I am doing a pretty good job of following his advice.
Q- Today in college football, trash talking and celebration antics have unfortunately become a part of the game. What is your take on this and is it ever a temptation?
-Philip Landry, Austin, Texas
A- I think most trash talking takes place when there are guys out there playing against each other that know each other. I don't do a lot unless I am forced to. I am a guy that has a lot of pride. I am not going to just go out and say a bunch of things, but there are times when you need to stand up for yourself. And when my team is involved, I will definitely stand up for them, but as far as I go, I am not too involved with trash talking. -As for celebrating, I think when you score a touchdown you have to act like you have been there before and be very professional about it.
Q- What does it mean to have a quarterback like Romaro Miller, who is an outstanding quarterback and a threat to throw for a lot of yardage? And do you feel that having Romaro helps you in getting more yardage at times?
-Jody Harrison, Houston, Texas
A- Having Romaro back there makes the opposing defenses play both the run and the pass since they have to respect him. As a running back, you always want to have a good quarterback that can throw the ball down the field and loosen up the defense.
Q- I played ball with Joe Gunn at military school. My question is how has playing with someone of his ability affected your own game?
-Brian Pokorny, Charlotte, N.C.
A- Joe pushes me in practice to want to go out and perform even better. With a guy of Joe's ability, you know he is going to be ready and come to play each play, so we both thrive off of each other's ability.
Q- Can you describe the feeling you have when you walk under the "Walk of Champions" memorial and through "The Grove" before home football games?
-Bobby Perkins, Jackson, Miss.
A- Seeing all those people out there in "The Grove" cheering you on is a funny feeling you cannot really describe. I think it is just something you would have to experience for yourself to understand. It definitely gets you excited!
