At 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, defensive tackle Terdell Sands is an imposing figure in any environment, even the Green Bay Packers' locker room.
After spending the last six weeks of the 2002 season on the practice squad, this summer Sands hopes to win a spot on the 53-man roster.
Recently, Packers.com sat down with the soft-spoken big man to see how he handled our Random Questions.
Packers.com: Terdell, what have you been doing in the offseason?
Sands: "A lot of training, trying to get myself in shape so I can get on the field this year."
What have you been doing for fun?
"I like to play the PlayStation. Right now I'm playing that James Bond NightFire."
You grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn., what's the best thing about your hometown?
"The quiet. It's very peaceful there. And it's in a good location. It's pretty close to everything. You can drive to New York, or you could drive to Florida. It's right in the middle of everything."
When did you realize football was your sport?
"When I got to be 300 pounds in high school. Then I said, this basketball is over with, I'm going to focus on football now."
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
"Probably my mama, because I see her working every day, struggling. I don't want to see her do that anymore, so that gives me more motivation to make it and do something for her."
Who were your sports heroes growing up?
"Reggie White, because he's from Chattanooga. I always loved Randall Cunningham, Lawrence Taylor, Mike Singletary. I liked a lot of the hard-hitters, I guess."
Do you have a favorite ride at Disneyland?
"Nah, I'm too big. The rides aren't made for big guys. Shaq (O'Neil) talks about going to Disneyland, well, he must be taking his kids because those rides are not for us."
What's in your CD player right now?
"Jay-Z."
What's the best movie you've seen lately?
"Head of State with Chris Rock. It's funny. I'd recommend everyone go out and see that one."
What's the biggest misconception about you?
"That I'm lazy. I don't think I'm lazy at all."
Do you get that because you're such a big guy?
"Yeah, and because I walk around kind of quiet and nonchalant sometimes, so people think I must not care about what I'm doing. I care a lot, so that's probably the biggest misconception."
What are your goals for the offseason?
"To get as strong as I can, to get my footwork together and my hands so I can fight for better position this year."
What's your biggest strength as a player?
"The bull-rush. You can't stop that."
Before you came to the Packers, you played in NFL Europe. How was that experience?
"I got what I wanted out of it. I got to experience the feel of hitting, but it wasn't that good for me. I didn't like being over there because the food wasn't very good. They aren't used to seeing big guys like me over there, so they didn't have the kind of food I needed."
What's your favorite meal?
"My grandmamma cooks it: macaroni and cheese and cornbread."
What's the best thing about being a Packer?
"The fans, man, and the tradition. I love it. It makes you want to do something for these people. It makes me want to work hard during the summer to get on the field and play for these fans, to be able to say that I was a Packer."
