01 : NFL Pro Interview : Don Carey
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Strauss : So, welcome Don, why do you make it important to connect to the fans?
Carey : I love fans, I feel as if I’m a fan of sports myself.
Strauss : If you could meet anyone in the world (alive or dead), who would it be and why?
Carey : Entirely too many people I want to sit down and have a conversation with. I don’t really have one in particular though.
Strauss : Who was your childhood star?
Carey : My mother is my Star. I’ve watched her raise four Kids, work two jobs, and often not eat so that we could. She still had a smile on her face and always had time to make sure her children were loved and knew who God is.
Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?
Carey : Life with Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, + many more
Strauss : What is your favorite snack food?
Carey : Hmmm, Tropicana Orange Juice lol.
Strauss : Hmmm… What is the one thing you can’t leave your house without?
Carey : My CarMax.
Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?
Carey : I like Strawberry Cheesecake.
Strauss : What was your favorite NFL team growing up?
Carey : I’ve been a Buccaneers fan ever since Tony D took over the team. Their Defense ranks in the top of all-time in my book.
Strauss : When did you see your first live NFL game? Who played? Who won?
Carey : I saw my first NFL in 2008, Ravens vs. Dolphins playoff game. Ravens won. Ed Reed is amazing.
Strauss : How long have you played football?
Carey : I’ve played football since I was 6 years old.
Strauss : Did you play any other sports in high school?
Carey : Track. (4×100, 110H hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump).
Strauss : What is your favorite sport to play other than football?
Carey : Other than football, Bowling.
Strauss : When did you realize that you were going to play football in college and the NFL?
Carey : I didn’t know I would play football in college until a month before my high school graduation. I didn’t know I had a chance to play in the NFL until the summer before my senior season in college.
Strauss : If you weren’t playing in the NFL (or after retirement), what would you want to do?
Carey : I had a job as a field engineer for Hensel Phelps Construction out in Phoenix, AZ. If I wasn’t in the NFL, I would be in Phoenix.
Strauss : What impact did your high school coach have on your college career?
Carey : My high school coach (Larry Stepney) helped me get into college on a full scholarship. He, personally, took my highlight tape to the NSU coaching staff
Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from high school to college.
Carey : Dealing with the size of the other players.
Strauss : What have you learned from college DB Coach, Marco Butler?
Carey : Marco is a great guy, easy to talk to, and always willing to listen. He taught us how to be a player and give effort 100%!
Strauss : Why did you choose the number 27 at NSU?
Carey : My coach gave me the number because I reminded him of Rashean Mathis
Strauss : How had your game improved throughout college?
Carey : Every year, I got a better understanding of the Defense which allowed me to play faster.
Strauss : Who was the hardest player for you to defend against in college? why?
Carey : Kenny Britt <- Dude is a handful for anyone. lol.
Strauss : What is your favorite memory from Norfolk State?
Carey : My favorite memory was blocking the game winning field goal vs. Hampton in 2007, we won 20-19. Fans came onto the field and did the Cupid Shuffle.
Strauss : What was it like to train for the combine?
Carey : Exciting! I really got a chance to see what other big name guys were like and how I matched up against them.
Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from college to the NFL.
Carey : The speed and schemes are both elevated.
Strauss : What impact did your college coach have on your professional career?
Carey : Coach Adrian really opened my eyes in terms of Defense. I was blessed to watch film and talk about football with him. I learned a lot.
Strauss : Why did you choose #22 on the Jaguars?
Carey : My uncle has been a Jaguars fan since they came into the NFL, and he wore 22 when he played.
Strauss : As you’ve grown as a player, how important has film been to your development?
Carey : I am more mature then I was a year ago. I’ve been watching film and being around the NFL meetings has really helped develop me mentally. I look for anything that can give me the edge.
Strauss : What’s the hardest workout for you to complete?
Carey : All of our workouts are challenging, Coach Richardson really does a great job with us in the weight room.
Strauss : How do you get better at being a defensive back from wide receivers?
Carey : By watching them and learning from the way the run their routes.
Strauss : Who do you compare your game to?
Carey : Not really sure, I enjoy watching Charles Woodson and Al Harris.
Strauss : What does DB Coach, Cory Undlin, really do for your development?
Carey : Coach Undlin is a super cool dude. He really focuses on technique and demand that we be technically sound, he is a great coach.
Strauss : What do you learn from Defensive Coordinator, Mel Tucker?
Carey : Coach Tucker really has an understanding of how offenses work. Every time he speaks, I learn something new. Coach helps us focus on technique, the better your technique is, the more physical you can be.
Strauss : Has Coach Jack Del Rio said anything to you?
Carey : He told me to continue to work hard and they are excited to have me on the team.
Strauss : Could you have predicted how far football was going to carry you?
Carey : Not at all.
Strauss : What is an experience that changed your life?
Carey : Watching my mother raise four kids by herself.
Strauss : Who are your best buddies on the team?
Carey : Rashad Jennings and Derek Cox.
Strauss : What have you learned from teammates?
Carey : How to be a Professional and how to balance football with family.
Strauss : What is your favorite quote?
Carey : “DEFINE YOURSELF FOR YOURSELF, BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T YOU’LL BE THROWN INTO OTHERS’ FANTASY AND EATEN ALIVE!!!” ~ Audre Lorde
Strauss : Thank you so much for your time.
Carey : No Problem, Keep up the great work. GO JAGUARS!








