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Playing Would Be Icing On The Cake For Darby

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 09:11 pm

TAMPA - With Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day squeezed into a short time span, people with birthdays around this time often find their personal celebration minimized or forgotten.

Bucs rookie running back Kenneth Darby's birthday is Dec. 26, when most people are still eating Christmas leftovers and kids are playing their new video games. However, I decided not to let Darby's big day be overshadowed, so I spoke to him about birthdays for this week's Wide Right. Hey, it beat buying him a nose hair trimmer.

Anwar: What's the worst thing about having a birthday so close to Christmas?

Kenneth: Getting people gifts, but at the same time, expecting gifts for Christmas and your birthday. I don't want to go out and get too many people too many gifts, but at the same time, I am expecting something, too. It's kind of funny that I get some people gifts and when my birthday comes around, they don't get me anything. That is the worst thing.

Anwar: How many times have you received Christmas/birthday combination gifts?

Kenneth: My mom did that most of my whole life and I loved it. Around Christmastime, she would say this gift here is for your birthday and Christmas. I would say OK. The majority of my Christmas presents, she would save those until the next day. She kind of knew what she was doing.

Anwar: Did other people try to give you combo gifts?

Kenneth: I had a few other people. My big brother would do it and a few friends.

Anwar: Do you ever wish your birthday was in June and away from Christmas?

Kenneth: You know what? In a way I do, but in a way I don't. I kind of like that my birthday is in December. There is just something about the December babies. I like it being in December and right after Christmas, too. I am filled with a lot of love in my life.

Anwar: Is this the best week of the year with Christmas, your birthday, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day all in a short span?

Kenneth: I've never really thought about all that. I never sat down and thought about it. I'm just the type of person who will sit down and get all that I can get and run with it.

Anwar: What's the most memorable birthday you've had?

Kenneth: When I was in college, my girlfriend surprised me with a candlelight dinner that I wasn't even expecting. I got out of practice one day and she had everything set up real nice for me. I was expecting us to go somewhere and eat, but she took time out of her day and prepared a big banquet.

Anwar: Do you like it when servers in restaurants sing "Happy Birthday" to you?

Kenneth: I've never gotten into all of that. I'm more of the dude that likes to be laid back a little bit. When they do all that, it kind of puts you out there in the open and I shy away. I don't like it. When I was back in school, my friends took me out and there were some people in a restaurant that did that to me out of the blue and I wasn't expecting it. They just popped out and starting singing "Happy Birthday." I was like, "Come on."

Anwar: What is your favorite birthday cake?

Kenneth: I am a fan of chocolate cake, but I'm a major fan of strawberry cake. The icing on strawberry cake ... I'm a sucker for that.

Anwar: Did you know my birthday is on Dec. 30?

Kenneth: For real? Well, then, happy birthday to you.

Anwar: Did you get me something?

Kenneth: What do you want while laughing?

Anwar: How about your check for one week?

Kenneth: Ooooooh, man, I need that. I can't help you out on that laughing.

Anwar: I'm just messing with you. Would the best gift you could receive this year be playing on Sunday?

Kenneth: That would be one of them. The best thing would be playing and actually doing good in the game. I think that would be another good birthday present for myself, just me going out there and showing out.

Anwar: I'm sure, because how much are you dying to be on that field?

Kenneth: I can darn near taste the grass.

Anwar: So if I put some strawberry cake on that grass?

Kenneth: It's going to get ugly out there. I'm just waiting. If they call my number, I'm going to be ecstatic to go out there and do what I have to do. But at the same time, I will not change if I don't go out there. That is what I've learned to expect in this business. You always have to expect the unexpected. You expect the good, but I also expect the worst.

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