Sen'Derrick marks is a defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, he went to Auburn University for three years before announcing he would forego his senior season to enter the 2009 NFL draft where he was the 62nd overall pick. During his time with Auburn Sen'Derrick made twenty six consecutive starts tying him with Rodgerigus Smith for the longest active streak on the team.
The interview questions were all emailed to Sen'Derrick he replied quickly sending his answers back later that night. If you are looking for an athlete to interact with pay attention to the question regarding fan mail.
Q: What influenced your decision to play football?
A. I was always a fan of sports. I grew up with the love for basketball. Once I got into high school, i focused heavily on basketball until our
basketball coach bribed me to play football. He told me that I wouldn't be able to participate in basketball unless I played football. Once I
started playing football, it became interesting but my love was still for basketball. My defensive coach at the time, Derek Scott, asked me
why my heart wasn't in it and explained to me why I wouldn't make it in the NBA. He asked my height at the time, which was 6'1, and explained
that I was a power forward at 6'1 and NBA point guards were 6'7 and taller. I listened and focused more on football and it paid off for me today.
Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A. Now as I think back, I had a lot of role models growing up in the projects in Mobile, Al. My mom was and will always be a huge role model of mines.
She had me at a young age and went on to make me the oldest of eight kids. She always steered me and my younger siblings in the right direction.
My step father was also a big role model for me. After taking me in as his own, he taught and provided me all the manly responsibilities that was
needed. He grew me and I will always be thankful for his role in my life. My coaches and teachers were also role models of mine. I listened closely
to there rules and guidelines. Most of all, the friends and people of my community played a huge role in my upbringing. With all the negative activities
in my neighborhood, people always guided me in the right direction to stay focus and succeed.
Q: What is your best football memory?
A. My best football memory was my freshman year in college. I had the opportunity to earn a scholarship to Auburn University to play football. I was doing
really good as a freshman and earned my opportunity to play. The first time I knew I was going to play gave me chills. We took the bus to LaGrange, GA
the night before the game. On game day, we traveled back to start the famous Tiger Walk. That walk down the street, between many fans, was always be
a memory of mines. After entering the locker room and getting dressed, I started to get butterflies. We came out the tunnel onto the field, thru the smoke
and greeted by 88,000 fans. That moment was amazing and I'll never forget it.
Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A. Draft day was a very special day for me and my family. After a great college career, I knew I would have the opportunity to play in the NFL. My family all
gathered together at our house and watched the draft on tv. After my name was called, we all got excited, cheered and pray together. It was an important
and exciting day for all of us.
Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A. The weirdest thing I had a fan ask me to sign was his/her hand. I didn't understand it lol. I asked what would happen to my signature later when they got home
and they said they would keep it forever. I didn't sign his/her hand that day. I borrowed a piece of paper and gave them an autograph.
Q: How did it feel to get your first sack?
A. Getting my first official sack was pretty exciting. We was playing the Seattle Seahawks and I made a great move on their offensive lineman. Matt Hasslebeck
was the quarterback at the time and he held the ball a little to long which allowed me to get to him.
Q: What is your favorite city to play in?
A. I actually enjoy playing in Nashville, Tn at LP field. Its a great family and hostile environment. The fans are very into the game and love their home team
Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A. The thing i enjoy doing on the road is going out to eat with the fellas the night before the game. Usually its the defensive lineman that goes out together and
sometimes a couple other guys that hang out with us. Its fun, relaxing, and help us calm down and chill before going back to meetings to get our mindset back
onto football.
Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today."?
A. I haven't had that mindset of not wanting to go into work. I enjoy going in and focusing on whatever the task is for that day. During the season u may not feel
so into getting out of bed, but it's that calling of getting better and getting your body back into order to do it all over again.
Q: What is your favorite sport other than football?
A. My favorite sport other than football now is golf. I enjoy trying to play and tying to get better at it. It's a competitive and challenging sport that seems so hard
to master.
Q: What are your feelings on fan mail?
A. I enjoy getting fan mail. I look at this game on this level as a job for myself and entertainment for others. I enjoy what I do and hope others enjoy watching
what i do. I try to sign and respond to all fan mail I receive from letters and social media.
Q: What is the strangest thing you have seen in the locker room?
A. The strangest thing I've seen in the locker room has to be whatever guys do to get ready to play. Some guys to push-ups and some slap themselves or get
others to slap them. I never been into that but whatever it takes, go ahead and do it.
Q: What is the best locker room prank you have seen or been part of?
A. I don't get to much into the locker room pranks. Most guys play pranks on each others and majority of them are retaliations of what somebody did to them
Thank you for the great answers Sen'Derrick. Good luck the rest of the season!
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