ASHLEY MABEE
Argonauts.Ca Staff
Q: If you weren’t playing football, what would you be doing and why?
A: If I wasn’t playing football, I’d likely be working with kids, training them to become great athletes. Currently, that’s what I do in the off-season and I really enjoy it; I’d really even consider coaching as a possibility. I feel that being a mentor for kids is what I’m good at – I’m a great motivator and leader.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up and why?
A: As a kid growing up, I always wanted to be a professional athlete. I never knew in what sport though because I played everything, soccer, baseball, basketball and football. What attracted me to football in particular was when I was in high school, football became the sport I quickly excelled in. When I received my first letter from college, that’s when I thought, “Ok, this is my ticket.”
Q:Who did you idolize growing up, and what impact do you think they have had on your life?
A: When I was younger, I idolized my older cousin – he was the athlete of the family. He played college football and was very smart academically. I would always try and be like him and would go with him to play basketball at the park even though all the guys were about 5 or 6 years older than me. I’d always try and jump in and play. I looked up to him all the way up until the point where I became my own.
Q: What’s your favourite pre-game/post-game meal and why?
A: I don’t want to give away my secrets…just kidding. Two days before a game, I like to get a nice steak in and the night before a game, I get pasta in me to load up on some protein and carbs. After a game I eat whatever; I just get something in me. I have a sweet tooth though, that’s like my kryptonite, ice cream a la mode and all of that – oh my goodness!
Q: You’re stranded on a deserted island. What three things would you bring with you?
A: If I was stranded on a deserted island and could only bring three things, I’d bring a three prong spear so I could catch some fish, my surfboard and some sunscreen.
Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in life?
A: My greatest accomplishment in life is definitely getting married to Rena and having my children, Chad Jr., Areana and Sierra-Lynn. That’s the best thing I could ever ask for it’s such a blessing and I’m looking forward to seeing them. We’ll all be able to check out the city of Toronto together.
Q: What advice would you give to a young football player?
A: The best advice I could give to a young football player is never let someone tell you that you can’t do something. If you have a goal, hold on to it and strive for it no matter what. For me, it was always “he’s too small, he’s not strong enough, he’s not fast enough” and I guess that’s what motivated me. Education has got to come first and foremost but just go for it.
Q: What is your favourite movie of all time and why?
A: My favourite movies of all time are any of the Rocky movies because of where Rocky came from and how he got to where he was in life and the heart he had. Rocky was the underdog type and I really could relate. Predator is another good one, with Arnold Schwarzenegger, That movie has so many classic lines and growing up, I always wanted to watch it.
Q: Name one place in the world you would love to visit and why?
A: One place I’ve always wanted to travel to is Africa. I love the wild-life and I’m a big National Geographic-type guy. I could sit there and watch it all day on TV, looking at the different animals, watching the lions hunt and all that. I’ve always told my wife I’d like to go to Africa and go on a safari.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: If I could have lunch with anyone, I’d love to sit down with Michael Jackson. Growing up, I was a big fan. I loved his music and him as an entertainer. There are the skeptics out there regarding how he was off the stage but he’s just a legend that I’d love to sit down with him, talk it up and have some lunch and say “MJ, what’s going on?”…he was the man.
For more editions of Q&A, be sure to check out the Argos game day program at Friday’s game versus the B.C. Lions being sold throughout the concourse at Rogers Centre.