32 : NFL Pro Interview : Ernest Smith

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Strauss : Why do you make it important to connect to the fans?

Smith : I think when other athletes, college or high school, see a guy from either their neighborhood or ones they played against, it motivates and gives them a stronger drive to work hard and help them achieve their goals.

Strauss : Who was your childhood star? Why?

Smith : Jerry Rice…that’s self-explainable right???

Strauss : If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Smith : I love Will Smith, he’s my favorite actor… I love the fact that he’s a great dad and balances that with acting, and he can connect with his fans really well.

Strauss : What was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Smith : I hate to admit this, but the Dallas Cowboys…Emmitt Smith baby!! lol.

Strauss : When did you see your first live NFL game?

Smith : I saw my first game when I was sixteen, it was the Saints vs. Vikings…Vikings beat the Saints, and the game was in NO.

Strauss :  If you weren’t trying to make it in the NFL, what would you want to do?

Smith : When I was growing up, I really did not have a clue. But in the future, I would most likely start a custom car shop… I love cars.

Strauss : What is your favorite song to listen to before a game?

Smith : I listen to Sade, Cherish The Day… I like to be real calm and focused rather than be too pumped.

Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?

Smith : Bad Boys II.

Strauss : What is your favorite snack food?

Smith : Reeses.

Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?

Smith : Apple pie.

Strauss : What is your favorite Ice cream flavor?

Smith : Pecan Prailines n’ Cream.

Strauss : What is your favorite TV-Show?

Smith : Nip/Tuck.

Strauss : What is your favorite meal?

Smith : “Spicy” shrimp pasta, with BBQ chicken.

Strauss : What is your favorite video game?

Smith : Call of Duty, PS3.

Strauss : Who is your favorite superhero?

Smith : Batman.

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

Smith : Cell Phone.

Strauss : So, how long have you played football?

Smith : I’ve played football since I was 8 years old.

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

Smith : Played Basketball and did Track. In basketball, I was a standout… as well as track, I won the 400m during my junior year.

Strauss : When did you realize that you were going to play pro football?

Smith : When I was seventeen.

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

Smith : It prepared me for the competition and how to never be afraid… Never back down from a challenge and Never let someone tell you that you are not ready!!

Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from high school to college.

Smith : The speed of the game was faster… Guys in college were more experienced mentally and physically.

Strauss : How did the number process work out at Baylor?

Smith : It was out of three or one… One is for guys who really think they’re too cocky, so I chose three.

Strauss : What did you learn from playing football at Baylor?

Smith : That everything happens for a reason, but keep God first and things will work out… Never give in and never let negativity set you back!

Strauss : What is your favorite memory from Baylor?

Smith : Ok, this is tough because I don’t know which one I want to choose… The best was graduating a semester early… Second to that, was the Oklahoma University game my senior year…I had a lot to prove and if you watched the game you will see what happened with the so-called best team in the nation.

Strauss : How had your game improved throughout college?

Smith : I became faster and smarter… It helps a lot when it’s a live game..

Strauss : Who was the hardest player get by in college? Why?

Smith : I don’t want to pick anyone out honestly…

Strauss : What impact did your college coach have on your career?

Smith : I had four different coaches, each one had their own significance…

Strauss : What was your draft day experience like?

Smith : I was expected to go on the last day, anywhere between 4th round to 7th round… It was really crazy..started off real slow, then I began to hear from teams, but still wasn’t drafted, but seconds after the draft ended, the Chargers wanted to make a deal… I was relieved.

Strauss : What happened when you finally signed with the Chargers?

Smith : I did it… but it isn’t over.

Strauss : What number are you in the NFL?

Smith : It was six,  but hopefully I’ll get 13 and I did… They issued that number to me.

Strauss : What do you look for when you watch film? How important has film been to your development?

Smith : I look for the opponents’ schemes. Film is pretty important but I actually like playing rather than watching film… Makes it even more interesting and difficult…

Strauss : What do you expect from playing in the NFL?

Smith : I expect to be great and be the guy who being talked about in a conversation like I once used to talk about Jerry Rice to all my friends.

Strauss : Could you have predicted how far football was going to carry you?

Smith : No, each day to me is a surprise.. just blessed everyday.

Strauss : Who do you compare your game to? Why?

Smith : No one honestly… My playing style is really rare. You will see…

Strauss : What has been the hardest thing for you to do since you started playing football?

Smith : I love challenges, so I don’t see things as being real hard.

Strauss : Do you have a favorite charity? Why?

Smith : I haven’t started to engage in them yet, but please believe me I will!

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

Smith : Hurricane Katrina really took a toll..for the better actually… It opened up a larger window for me to be seen and recruited..

Strauss : What is your favorite quote?

Smith : “In Life, it isn’t where you start, but where you finish defines the man you truly are”- Ernest Smith

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

Smith : Always separate (You) from the crowd, show the initiative and out-work all…Guarantee you won’t be over-looked.

Strauss : Thank you for your time.

Smith : Follow me @ErnestSmith3 on twitter… I will send some funny tweets, inspiring tweets, and relationship advice tweets… and anytime on the interview…I love my fans and I pray I can be your favorite receiver one day!