The Green Bay Packers don't open training camp until next month, but several players are getting in some workouts before their final summer break.
Among those in town is Chukie Nwokorie, who signed with the Packers in April, following four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Recently, Packers.com sat down with the 6-foot-3, 284-pound defensive end to find out what makes him tick.
Packers.com: Where did you grow up and what is the best thing about your hometown?
Nwokorie: "Lafayette, Ind. It was right across the river from where I went to school (Purdue)."
What have you done in the offseason or what do you have planned before the season begins?
"I plan on getting together with my family one last time on the Fourth of July, before the season starts. We'll just get together and have some fun."
What athletes did you admire growing up?
"A guy that I would have loved to have met is Pelé, the famous soccer player. What got me into playing sports is soccer and I watched him play. Even when he stopped playing, I watched him in that movie with Sylvester Stallone (Victory, 1981) and I just thought that he was the greatest and I always tried to follow after him, but then I got into football and all of that ended."
What kind of music do you listen to?
"There's really a variety, slow music, R&B, rap. When I'm in my fiancée's car, it's the Dixie Chicks."
What is the strangest autograph request you've gotten so far?
"It hasn't been that strange yet, but I've heard stories, so I kind of expect it."
What's the strangest thing you've seen on the field?
"It's mostly up in the stands, you see a lot of weird stuff from the field. You see people taking their shirts off and acting all crazy and you see fights every once in a while."
What made you fall in love with football?
"It started when I was a freshman in high school. Coming from Nigeria, I played soccer a lot. I didn't do anything my second year and during my third year in high school, I was asked to come out for the football team as a kicker. I had never played football, never watched it on TV, so it was a little different for me. The coaches thought I was too big to be a kicker, so they tried me at defensive tackle and that was where everything began."
What is the one position you would least like to play?
"I think that would have to be cornerback. I don't know if they get any glory, but in my opinion, that position has to be one of the hardest positions to play because you're covering a guy that's running forward while you're backpedaling. That's just a challenge in itself."
Have you ever been to Disneyland?
"You know what's funny about Disneyland? The fact that most of my childhood was in Nigeria, even though I was born in the States, when I went to Disneyland I wasn't quite familiar with some of the characters so it wasn't all that fun for me, other than the rollercoaster rides and things like that. But with some of the theme stuff, I didn't really understand what was going on with that."
Do you have any special hobbies?
"I like to skeet shoot. I'm also trying to learn how to golf, but that's a little challenging. It's not as easy as it seems to swing a golf club. It looks easy on TV, but the mechanics of it, either you have it or you don't.
If you could have dinner with one person (past or present) who would it be?
"Muhammad Ali. Being an athlete, I think it's quite amazing how he was able to remain focused throughout his career while all the other stuff was going on. I would just like to know how he was able to stay focused."
What's the best thing about being a Packer?
"I would have to say the fans. Just all the tradition and the fans make you want to come back for more and that's what I like about this place. I'm looking forward to seeing what being a Packer is all about."
What is your favorite T.V. show?
"It used to be Melrose Place, but now I would say Soul Food."
What is your favorite magazine?
"Maxim."
What is your favorite video game?
"Halo."
What opposing stadium would you most like to play in?
"Living in Indiana and having played in Indianapolis, I would have to say the Colts (RCA Dome)."
Who is you favorite comedian?
"Bernie Mac."
As a child, what was your favorite toy?
"G.I. Joe."
Do you have any nicknames?
"Chukie is my nickname. People couldn't pronounce my first name (full name is Chijokie Obinna Nwokorie). I've heard several different attempts though."
Do you have any tattoos?
"No tattoos. No piercings. I've thought about it, but I just haven't brought myself to it yet."
