What I've Learned with Brandon Graham
11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2009
A lot of people think bad things about Detroit, but I'm proud to call it my home. It has some bad areas, but it's still special to me.
It's important for me to represent the state of Michigan. I'm happy that my family can come to the games and that the people of Detroit support me. That was one of the reasons I decided to be an in-state player and it's paying off for me right now.
Family is really important -- that's what gets me through my life. There are some bad elements in Detroit and my family pointed me in the right direction and kept me off the streets. They pushed me to a level I never thought I could reach. I feel like football has brought my family closer together because so many people support me and what I'm doing.
My teammates make me happy, my coaches make me happy and my family makes me happy. I'm always thinking about the positive stuff.
Brandon Minor and I are good friends. We're together almost every day, outside of football too. We have a lot in common and it's important to have a couple good friends who you can depend on. We've been roommates since freshman year and I know that we have a bond and we'll be friends forever. Friends mean a lot to me. I only need a few good friends. Some people take my kindness for weakness, but Brandon is a true friend.
I don't know if I consider myself a mentor. Sometimes I forget that a lot of people look up to me and want to know what I'm saying. I'm still getting used to it.
You better stay on top as much as you can or the media will eat you up. When you're winning they love you but after one loss they will pull you down like you've had five or six. I don't mind talking to them, but I know the power of the media.
Love is a big word. It's hard to describe. Love is a passion. You have to strive to get things that mean something to you. I have love for the game.
I like to look up to people who have a dream.
It's good to have money, but I don't' let it control me. I don't think I'd feel different if I had more or less of it. Money is money. It can be evil if you let it or it can do good.
 | "When you get a sack it feels like you ate a big old juicy burger." |
I'm not a picky eater as long as it's good. If it's good I'll eat it. I try not to eat too much greasy food. I work out hard enough to burn a lot of calories, so if I do eat greasy food I'm okay. My biggest cravings are usually for tacos.
I've been growing my facial hair out since I was 11 or 12. I've always been a hairy person. I think I get it from my dad. My facial hair doesn't grow that thick, but my dad's does so I know mine will probably fill out.
I play all the sports video games like Madden and NBA, but my favorite hobby is flipping. I do back flips all the time. My high school teammates used to challenge me to flip duels. A lot of people don't understand how I can flip when I'm so big, but I practiced a lot.
It's not fun to hit your own teammates. You get sick of hitting your own guys all week and by Friday you can't wait to hit the other team.
I talk a lot on the field. You have to get the other team off their game. You're going to hear me and you're going to know I'm coming. Some people talk back and some people are too tired to respond. I'm trying to test their conditioning. If you can play and talk, then you're in good shape. If they don't say anything then I know you're in bad shape.
When you get a sack it feels like you ate a big old juicy burger. It's like when you're starving and you eat something really, really good. It feels so good!
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I love the feeling of knocking the mess out of somebody. I let them know that I dominated them. Don't run my way unless you want to feel that again.
I'm a shoe guy. I'm into gym shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes. I like shoes and I love pants. I love wearing button downs with jeans and Cole Haans. I like to look dressy, but sometimes I'll just put on some Jordans but jeans and regular t-shirt. I tend to dress up because you never know where you might go. I might not have time to change if someone wants to go out to eat or something. I try to be prepared.
My mind set is focused on the present, not the things that will come after the season. If I keep working it will pay off someway somewhere. I've been working hard since I was seven -- missing out on summers and sacrificing just to focus on football. When Larry Foote or Steve Breaston come around and encourage me to keep working it helps. I get a lot of insight from former players. I know that I have to do it on my own and make my own mistakes, but it's good not to have to go in blind.
