28 : UFL Pro Interview : Samie Parker

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Strauss : So, Samie, why do you make it important to connect to the fans?

Parker : I think it’s cool to connect with the fans, because they support what I do and I appreciate it, and sometime they don’t know what’s going on in the inside of the pro world.

Strauss : Who was your childhood star?

Parker : Deion Sanders and Eric Dickerson.

Strauss : What was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Parker : Growing up I never really had a favorite team. I just liked individual players such as Deion Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Jerry Rice, and Michael Irving.

Strauss : What is your favorite snack food?

Parker : Cookies and milk (Chips Ahoy, soft and chewy)

Strauss : What is your favorite TV-Show?

Parker : I enjoy watching Entourage.

Strauss : What is the one thing you can’t leave your house without?

Parker : My wallet.

Strauss : If you weren’t playing football, what would you want to do?

Parker : I think that once I’m done with playing football I am going to get into coaching. I think I have a lot of knowledge to pass onto others.

Strauss : And, how long have you played football?

Parker : I’ve played football since I was seven years old.

Strauss : What is your favorite sport to play other than football?

Parker : I would say my other sport that I enjoy other than football, would be track and field. I competed in track in high school and throughout college and qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2004, but I was dedicated to become a professional football player, so I did not attend. I ended up fulfilling my dreams and getting drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round.

Strauss : When did you realize that you were going to play football in college and in the NFL?

Parker : I have always wanted to play pro football since the first day I started playing, I had no idea about college when I was young. I told my pop-warner coach I was going to play in the NFL when I was seven years old and strived to do so since then. Dream comes true.

Strauss : Did you play any other sports in high school?

Parker : In high school, I played multiple sports freshmen year I played football, basketball, and also ran track.

Strauss : What impact did your high school coach have on your pro career?

Parker : My high school coaches just have coached so many great athletes, I couldn’t lose listening to their advice. So many NFL players came before me.

Strauss : What was your best memory from Oregon?

Parker : I was say my best memory at Oregon was winning the Fiesta Bowl and catching a 79-yard Touchdown pass that really broke the game open.

Strauss : Describe the changes between college and the NFL.

Parker : There was a big jump for me because I worked with NFL people while I was in high school and college so it prepared me for the NFL and the speed of the game.

Strauss : What are words describe your style of gameplay?

Parker : Speed and BIG PLAYS!

Strauss : What was your draft experience like?

Parker : Just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring was just frustrating.

Strauss : What was it like to be drafted 105th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs?

Parker : I was excited to finally get a chance to make it to the BIG stage and have my child hood dreams come true.

Strauss : What was the experience like when you signed with teams, then released within the week?

Parker : Just being in a bad situation, not really getting a chance to compete. I wasn’t effected by it because I knew my skill level. UFL and AFL was a way to showcase my talent and that I still could play.

Strauss : What was it like to be a UFL Champion? Why did you end up joining the Chicago Rush?

Parker : I was great being apart of history becoming the 1st team ever to when a championship in league history. I joined the Rush to have fun and show that I can play in a physical atmosphere.

Strauss : Who is your best friend on any football team?

Parker : Demetrius Williams of the Baltimore Ravens.

Strauss : What is an experience you have had that changed your life?

Parker : I would probably just say to be more vocal to express my play-making ability close mouth, don’t get fed and I never ate the way I should have when I was in the NFL.

Strauss : What is your favorite quote?

Parker : Someone told me, “Do not to be afraid to succeed.”

Strauss : For someone aspiring to play football in the NFL, do you have any advice for them?

Parker : I would say to give your all and never let anybody tell you what you can and can not do.

Strauss : Thank you for your time.

Parker : Thank you for taking the time to interview me.