In the off-season, I live in Jonesboro, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta like Mississauga is to Toronto. Jonesboro is a city itself but we still drive a lot to Atlanta. There is city traffic, unless it’s the weekend. Jonesboro is a lot warmer than Toronto – you won’t have to dig out your car, although it did snow the other day in Atlanta. I’ve been in Jonesboro for 2-3 years now and my favourite thing about it is you’re outside the city but you can still enjoy the city life.
I live in an apartment with my wife Latonya. She is an elementary school teacher who is now teaching third grade at Renaissance Elementary School. Latonya is working most of the day which leaves me time to hang out with the fellas, work out and get a couple Madden games in.
On a regular day, I wake up at about 6:30 a.m., sometimes 7:00. I usually wash up, then have breakfast. I try to get my eggs, stay healthy, try to eat turkey bacon but sometimes you just gotta have the regular bacon and sausages. Latonya is good to me and usually makes it for me.
Then, it’s off to the gym – workout time. I work out with a trainer we call Drill Sergeant and some other football players. We’ve got pro, college and high school guys, as well as regular people who just want to stay fit. I’m a people person who likes to have fun and it’s a good atmosphere. Depending on the day, we do exercises for upper body or abs or lower body. My daily workout is 1.5 – 2 hours including weights and cardio. I hate the Stairmaster the most – the 10-15 minutes on that machine feels like an hour! The best part is when the workout is over! But I do like doing upper body stuff. Sometimes, you are tired and fatigued and don’t want to workout but you gotta. When I feel that way, I think of football and being able to play many more years and stay healthy. That keeps me motivated.
After my workout, I shower up and head home. Now it’s lunch time – yeah! Some food. I like a big lunch after my workout. I try to get my chicken for protein, feed the muscles, grab a protein shake, and some sweet potatoes. Usually, the guys and I go to Boston Market or sometimes I go home and use the George Foreman Grill and make some chicken breasts.
Then, I get a nap to get rested up for the evening so I can hang out with my sweetheart. It’s just the facts – football players take naps. I call it a power nap, powering up for the day with a nap that lasts between 15-45 minutes. When Latonya comes home from work, we cook dinner together or catch a movie. It depends on the day and what’s playing. I’m not picky about what we have for dinner – I just like a good, cooked meal.
I enjoy life and I’m about ready to get back to Canada, play football and be with the guys. I miss the locker room and hanging with my teammates, doing interviews and having fun. Hopefully, the fellas and I will hang out and celebrate after many wins this season.