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Barrett Ruud: Remembering A Series Of Firsts

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By Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2007

TAMPA - Every NFL player has a distinctive memory of his first time.

The first time he wrecked his Lamborghini and fled the scene. The first time police found pot in his car and he blamed it on the friend who had been using it. Then there is the first time he was court ordered to pay child support.

Tampa Bay middle linebacker Barrett Rudd's reminiscences are far less destructive.

The Bucs play their first game today at Seattle, and staying with the theme of first, Ruud good-naturedly answered questions about his earliest memories for the debut of Wide Right.

Anwar: Who was the first girl who rejected you?

Barrett: I was in seventh grade. I had a girlfriend named Hilary, just in case she reads this. We were going out for about a month and she called me up and broke it off. She told me she hoped I didn't feel bad.

Anwar: What was your reaction to that?

Barrett: I was like 'whatever.' I didn't take it too hard. ... I was a little upset.

Anwar: Who was your first fight against?

Barrett: I've been fighting my brother ever since I was about 2 years old. He was 16 months younger than me. We've basically been fighting ever since he was old enough to fight.

Anwar: Who usually wins?

Barrett: I always win. I never lost. I never will.

Anwar: What was the first dance move you ever tried?

Barrett: I want to say it was something from Heavy D & The Boyz. It didn't make much sense, but I tried to do it anyway.

Anwar: What was your first job?

Barrett: I was a caddie on a golf course. I had to sit in the trees, and also mark errant range balls that were hit before a tournament. Those guys were good golfers, so I was running all over the place.

Anwar: Did you like it?

Barrett: I hated it. You basically stand on your feet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You just run after golf balls the whole time. I didn't enjoy it.

Anwar: When did you first discover there was no Santa Claus?

Barrett: I was about 6 and I saw Santa Claus pull up in a Chevelle in his driveway. That is when I realized it. He was Santa Claus, and he had his Santa Claus outfit on, but he had this white beat-up '67 Chevelle. He was my dad's friend's father.

Anwar: Do you remember your first R-rated movie?

Barrett: 'Cocktail' with Tom Cruise. I was like 6 years old. I started watching it and my parents came into the room and said you can't watch this anymore.

Anwar: Do you remember your first speeding ticket?

Barrett: It was actually in college. I was going past Memorial Stadium (University of Nebraska) in maybe my sophomore year in college.

Anwar: How fast were you going?

Barrett: Not too bad. Maybe 42 in a 30.

Anwar: When was the first time you were run over defensively?

Barrett: My freshman year, we played Kansas State and they had a 315-pound I-back named Joe Hall. He blew the hole wide open and I came up and thought I was going low, but apparently I was thigh level. There was a shot in the paper of my helmet with my chin strap barely holding it on, but my face is sticking out and he's stomping on my chest. That's probably the worst I've ever been run over.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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