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Mitchell Hasn't Forgotten USF On Way To The Big Game

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2008

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Many people will watch today's Super Bowl solely to catch the humorous commercials, or to see which body parts might be exposed during the halftime show. However, this year, residents of Tampa Bay have another reason to tune in.

Former University of South Florida standout linebacker Kawika Mitchell plays for the New York Giants, who will face New England tonight in Super Bowl XLII.

Mitchell joins long snapper Ryan Benjamin (won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Bucs), offensive lineman Kenyatta Jones (won Super Bowl XXXVI with Patriots) and safety J.R. Reed (lost Super Bowl XXXIX with the Eagles) as former Bulls to appear in the Super Bowl. He is also the subject of this week's Wide Right column.

Anwar: What's your favorite spot on Dale Mabry?

Kawika: Dale Mabry? I never really went down there when I was in Tampa. I like International Plaza, but that's not Dale Mabry.

Anwar: Would you choose International Plaza over the University Square Mall?

Kawika: Uh, no, because I went to both. I've liked going to the mall ever since I was a kid.

Anwar: So what's your favorite store at University Square Mall? They sell a lot of 2Pac T-shirts there now.

Kawika: I loved that store Demo in there.

Anwar: Do you know who Jose Gaspar is?

Kawika: Um ... no.

Anwar: He's the guy the annual Gasparilla celebration is named after.

Kawika: I didn't know that.

Anwar: So, how many parade beads do you have? Everybody who lives in Tampa has beads.

Kawika: Actually, I have a lot of them. Not from the parades. Just going out at night. I've never actually went to a parade.

Anwar: What's your favorite restaurant in Tampa?

Kawika: Sushi TSU, which is off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Anwar: What's your favorite dish?

Kawika: I always liked the spicy tuna roll, but they have a lot of other things, I think. It's a good restaurant.

Anwar: Who is tougher - Jim Leavitt or Tom Coughlin?

Kawika: Same people.

Anwar: Does Leavitt remind you of Coughlin, or does Coughlin remind you of Leavitt?

Kawika: They are the same people. They all want things a certain way. They expect a lot of things from their people. They aren't scared of you. I like it. They are good people.

Anwar: When USF's football team was No. 2 in the nation, did you wear Bulls gear around the locker room?

Kawika: I was wearing Bulls gear before that. I always represent the Bulls.

Anwar: Did you burn that gear after they lost three straight games?

Kawika: No, but I was a little upset. I was also a little upset over the bowl game. It's all right. They will be back there next year.

Anwar: Why did you donate a portion of your salary this year to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund?

Kawika: I'm pretty close friends with Kyle Turley former Chiefs offensive lineman who donated $40,000 this season, and it's something I knew he was pretty passionate about. He brought it to me. He asked me to get involved, and knowing why he was in it made it easy for me to listen. I think the old players deserve help. They laid the foundation for us. I think it's our job to do our part.

Anwar: How many parking tickets did you receive at USF?

Kawika: That's funny you ask that, because I just had to pay some old tickets to enroll in some classes there.

Anwar: Aren't the USF parking police way too dedicated to their jobs? They love to write tickets.

Kawika: Oh, yeah. They will get you. It's ridiculous.

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