One of just four undrafted rookies to make the team in 2002 (Tony Fisher, Kevin Barry and Erwin Swiney were the others), Marcus Wilkins has proven to be a solid special teams contributor as well as a dependable backup at weak-side linebacker, playing in seven regular season games for the Packers in 2003.
In what he calls his most memorable moment as a professional football player thus far, Wilkins -- after diving on a loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos last season -- had the opportunity to perform what many of his defensive counterparts rarely get the chance to do: the Lambeau Leap.
Recently, Packers.com caught up with the former University of Texas Longhorn to talk about this and a few other topics in this edition of Random Questions.
Packers.com: Besides your own, what is the most difficult position on the field to play?
Marcus Wilkins: "I'd have to say cornerback. You're out there on an island, one-on-one, making the second move. That's a very difficult situation to make a play in."
If you could travel back in time to any other time period, when would it be?
"That's easy, the 70s. The 70s were an amazing time. Lots of things were going on. The music was great, the civil rights movement. People in general were probably a little bit closer together in the 70s."
What is your favorite cartoon?
"The Simpsons are my all-time favorite."
If you had your own TV show, what would it be?
"Well, I know would be the star. I would be some kind of action hero or something. I would be making big moves on my show. You would definitely have to tune in to see what I'm going to do next."
What do see yourself doing once your football career is over?
"After football, I want to just sit down for about a year. Just sit real still somewhere for about a year and just relax.
"No, really I would love to travel. As far as a career after football, maybe do something with fitness or sports, maybe a strength and conditioning coordinator."
What is your favorite place that you've traveled to?
"Anywhere that I've been to that is tropical and has blue water and sandy beaches."
Having grown up in Austin, Texas, how have you adjusted to the Green Bay cold?
"I bought a lot of jackets. I've bought more jackets than I've ever owned in my entire life."
Who's the hardest hitter you've seen in the league so far?
"It would probably have to be Ray Lewis."
What is one word to describe training camp?
"Brutal."
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
"Michael Jordan. I always wanted to be in the NBA."
If you could see one sporting event in the world, what would it be?
"I would probably want to see the World Cup. I'm not a big soccer fan but I know those people love soccer. I would like to see those crowds and the emotions going on that surround the event."
A hostile crowd like that wouldn't intimidate you?
"No, I want to be in the press box. I said I want to see it. I don't want to be in it. Those are two different things."
What is your favorite sports movie of all time?
"The Program was a classic. That's probably the one I remember the most."
If there is one NFL rule that you could change, what would it be?
"I would say it's the way they handle roughing the quarterbacks now. That's garbage. You can't even hit them. You should be able to get after a quarterback. He's out there on the field. If he's on the field, he should be able to get hit."
What is the strangest autograph request that you've had?
"I've signed someone's car. That was a little different."
Do you have any special interests or hobbies?
"I like classic cars and motorcycles. I have that 'need for speed.'"
Do you watch reality TV at all? If so, what shows?
"I haven't seen The Apprentice, but I want to."
What's the best thing about being a Packer?
"Probably the fan base. It's nationwide and they have a great love for the team."
What position would you least like to play?
"Offensive lineman. I have no desire to get in there with all that pushing and shoving and blocking. That's just not appealing to me."
What is your favorite magazine?
"Mostly what I buy is GQ and Hot Rod."
What is your favorite opposing stadium to play in?
"Tampa (Raymond James Stadium)."
What is your favorite TV commercial?
"I'm not sure if they have it up here, but the Quizno's (sandwiches) commercial. 'We love these subs...they are good to us...' That is a hilarious commercial. I laugh every time I see it."
What is your most memorable play of your career?
"It has to be the fumble recovery (vs. Denver, Dec. 28, 2003). It was on a kickoff and James Whitley stripped the ball. It bounced into the end zone and I was able to dive on top of it and then I did the Lambeau Leap. It was nice."
How would you describe your first experience with the Lambeau Leap?
"It's a great tradition. And you can't say that you're going to get many chances to score a touchdown playing on the defensive side of the ball. I picked a spot a little too high on the wall. I wish now that I would have picked a shorter spot so I could turn around. But all I could do was just dive in head-first into the crowd and hang there.
"It was cool. Everybody cheering, laughing and spilling drinks on you. It was a lot of fun."
In a movie about your life, who would play you?
"It would have to be a young actor up to this point. Or are we talking about my whole life? How long am I going to live, do you know?
"Up to this point, probably Derek Luke, the guy in the movie Antwone Fisher. He's a pretty good, up-and-coming young actor. He's a little more laid back and doesn't really have those Denzel Washington-type 'screaming' moments."
What is the one thing you are most looking forward to next season?
"Improving. I just want to improve and be successful."
In one word, how do you want people to describe the way you play the game.
"Focused."
Who is the first person you call after a game?
"I call my mom. She always wants to check up on me to see if I'm hurt or banged up at all. And she always tells me that I played good because she's my mom."
If you weren't in the NFL, what would you be doing?
"Working. I'd have my degree in corporate communications and with that it's hard to say. But I would be out there 9-to-5ing it just like everyone else."
