Ndamukong Suh Q & A: Aaron Rodgers’ beef, playing with Aaron Donald, living in Detroit and winning the Super Bowl | NFL News

From Aaron Rodgers’ ‘beef’ to fond memories with the Detroit Lions, Super Bowl-winning defensive tackles and Sky Sports NFL Analyst Ndamukong Suh answers fans’ questions about his incredible career…

1) When did you first believe you could make it in the NFL?

Interesting question. I would have to say second year of college, second year of playing. There are two guys ahead of me in the defensive line room, guys named Adam Carriker and Jay Moore, one pegged to be a first round draft pick and the other a mid-round draft pick. I can do everything I can do. So I said ‘why not?’ Why can’t I be good if not better than him? And fortunately enough, my confidence to see that progress helped me to be second choice in 2010.

2) toughest offensive lineman you faced in the NFL?

there is none. There’s no toughest o-lineman I’ve ever played with, that’s unbeatable. But I respect men. The following names, I will say Marshal Yanda, who played for the Baltimore Ravens for many years. And I will say, the other toughest offensive lineman I ever played against was Leonard Davis. He is a great man, a great man. I’m like 6’8″, probably like 350lbs. Something that’s natural. But no offensive lineman ever scares me. It always has to be a double team or a triple team.

3) What was your favorite thing about living in each city you played in?

Let’s start with Detroit. First and foremost, great fans, great people, love being in the city and meet all the great people from Dan Gilberts world to Gary Shiffmans, tons of quality relationships.

I just love riding up and down Woodward. It’s just a pretty dope city. Then I moved to Miami. Miami in those days was a lot of fun to be a student and I had some good teammates, a fun city to be in my 20s.

And then LA, love being in LA, just from the point of view of one of my closest mentors living there. So I spend a ton of time with people. And my husband and I moved in together, which was very exciting.

Then we moved together to Tampa Bay, which is also a big city. West Coast very, mid-west vibe from that point of view, I enjoyed, a lot of beaches. It was good to be a part of and we had our children there, which was a lot of fun. And obviously won a big championship there too.

Then the last city, Philly. You are only talking about the main fans. And when you win there, the excitement and vibes of the city. Amazing food too. Big foodie city and I’m a big foodie person, I love Philly for that combination.

4) What was it like playing with Aaron Donald?

Aaron Donald is an elite player. We had a great season together, unfortunately we came up short of winning the Super Bowl. But a very talented human being. Much credit to the dominant play he has done over the years. But if you notice one thing, which is the best year with me!

5) Who is your favorite quarterback?

There are many. But I would say the top two favorite quarterbacks for sacks, Aaron Rodgers and then I would say another one probably Matt Ryan. I’m looking forward to that Atlanta game, against Matt Ryan. And my daughter Vita Vea knows why.

6) Best memory from being a Buccaneer?

I would say that our championship year, a lot of trials and tribulations and finally winning that championship, bringing my kids into the world as champions, that was amazing. But in the end, I mean, in the history books, the first team to win at home. It’s never been done before.

7) Why did you choose the University of Nebraska? You must have other major schools trying to recruit you?

I have many, many options to go to another university. But I chose Nebraska because of the great combination of one, football history and can change that organization, the university, to return to the way of winning and the day. And also, most importantly, I know I can graduate with an engineering degree from that university and play quality football. So, the best of both worlds.

8) How do you stay calm and composed while playing physical games?

It is one of those grueling sports. I work with a sports psychologist, which I think every elite athlete should do. And if not, then find your own way and routine to be mentally stable and focused all the time. I think it’s finally a solid routine, which is what I want, because not every year, and especially in recent years, I don’t need to work with a sports psychologist, but the tools I have are what I want. used to be an elite athlete and remained calm and collected and also played on the edge.

9) Do you think another defensive player will win the Heisman?

My honest opinion is probably not. The Heisman is an offensive award, so it should only be called the best offensive player of the year, in my opinion. But, hey, to each his own. I think there have been elite defensive players that have come through over the years that have opportunities and opportunities. But you have to remember, the pick is a lot of offensive people, especially the quarterback. So, who knows? We will see. Maybe the future has something special for us.

10) Are there any past NFL players who modeled your game on you?

Reggie White. I wish I got to see him live in person, but I watched a lot of film and took a lot of tactics and focused on how he can move across the line, play at an elite level and use different moves.

I will also say another top person that I like to watch is Julius Peppers. He was a dominant football player when he first came into the league and I enjoyed watching his work and the way he played at a high level, and was versatile. I feel that I like to be able to play in certain positions, even stand up, and be a dominant force.

I would say the top two guys out there, if I wanted to throw a third guy in there, Warren Sapp is one of the guys who did it at a high level, and really changed that three-technique position in Tampa. two defenses.

11) What’s with the beef with Aaron Rodgers?

I wouldn’t say I have a beef. They are just enemies at the end of the day. And I assumed he had beef with me and didn’t like me because I hit him hard. And we ended up beating him, especially late in his career and late in my career. So, you should ask me!

12) Aside from winning the Super Bowl, what is your favorite NFL career moment?

I think the best team I’ve ever played on and the closest team I’ve ever played on was the Detroit Lions in 2014. Their defense was dominant overall. We set the record, from the point of view of the best rush defense and we should have been the number one defense overall, but, for whatever reason, they gave it to Seattle, I think, because they had better pairings than us.

But talk about setting elite records, let people in 100 meters, rush for the most part, pretty much every single game. And I think we have the most defensive line sacks, but it’s a tight group, it’s a special group. And we still get group chats to this day.

13) How did your time in Detroit affect your perspective on doing community service for people in need?

It affects me a lot. I got to really be in that community and still feel a close connection to everyone in Detroit and the school. And I still feel like I’m part of that community.

At the end of the day, just being able to see a blue-collar, hard-working city and being immersed in it definitely changed my opinion and focus on how I like to support people and be involved in the community and not just be. all talk or all about money. He really wants to touch and feel you and be a part of him. So I’m very appreciative of my time, the energy I spend with the community in Detroit. And I owe him a lot, for teaching me.

14) Who is the best defensive coach you have had in your career?

That’s an interesting question. I will make you better. I think the best defensive line coach I’ve ever had was Jim Washburn. Then the second best thing that Jim Washburn taught was Kris Kocurek, who is now the defensive line coach for the 49ers. Jim Washburn is retired and enjoying himself in Tennessee, as he should be. But, yeah, I think the two coaches are top notch, and I’ll give them 1A and 1B.

15) With such a long and successful career, what do you believe is the most important factor in your longevity and consistent level of play?

I love this question. After playing a long and successful career and still playing today if I want to, we’ll see. But I think consistency and longevity, that success comes from constant hard work and dedication and determination and not being afraid to be different. I would be remiss if I didn’t give kudos to the performance director and physical therapist. I would be remiss as well not to mention my husband and the way he takes care of me, my children and my family. He is the main backbone of my success. And I’ve said it many, many times before, I wasn’t a champion until my husband came into my life.

The New York Giants take on the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.30pm this Sunday, with kickoff at 2.30pm.