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Bryant Would Like Hawaii Trip

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 16, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Bay did not play last week, and many players used their off time to get away from football and take a mini vacation.

Players were required to leave the beach and return to practice earlier this week to prepare for today's game against Minnesota, a team the Bucs cannot rest against.

Staying with the theme of vacations, I spoke with Tampa Bay receiver Antonio Bryant, who was on hiatus from football all last year, about getaways for this week's Wide Right column. I quickly learned Bryant is not only a trip to interview, but also the whole vacation.

Anwar: What is one place you always wanted to vacation at as a kid?

Antonio: I would say Switzerland. I went to Spain for two weeks while I was in school, but I don't know. I was just fascinated with Switzerland. Maybe it's just the name. I also wouldn't mind going to Paris, either.

Anwar: Disney World was not fascinating enough for you?

Antonio: I'm from Miami, so I've been there a couple of times.

Anwar: What is one thing you did the most last year on your vacation from football?

Antonio: Probably watch a lot of football. I didn't really go anywhere, celebrate or hang out. I wasn't in that type of mood.

Anwar: What is one television show you watched the most last year?

Antonio: I'm more of a movie guy. I watch a lot of DVDs. When I watch TV, I like to watch the news, like CNN, Discovery Channel or National Geographic. I did watch "The First 48 Hours" and other reality TV. I also caught "America's Next Top Model," "Flavor of Love" and "I Love New York."

Anwar: Would you ever want to be a contestant on "I Love New York"?

Antonio: I would like to, but I'm more into competitive contests. I would rather be on "Road Rules." I would dominate, but they know which people to get rid of who are more athletic than others. The key is to get in with the girls, because when the girls like you, they will never vote you off.

Anwar: We're way off topic now. Tell me what was your most memorable vacation as a child?

Antonio: I never really had a lot of vacations. I've been out camping in the woods. That was probably the most memorable, as far as the variety of things that we did. Being around different places, in the woods of Pensacola and hearing those big war hogs and wild boars at night. ... Then being able to catch one, hang it, skin it. People would tell me to eat it, but I ain't eating that. I like sausages, but not like that.

Anwar: If you were out camping with your receivers and heard a bear outside, who would you send to investigate?

Antonio: I'm going to go myself.

Anwar: For real?

Antonio: Yeah, because I don't really trust people too much.

Anwar: You wouldn't send Dexter Jackson? You guys make rookies do everything.

Antonio: Man, I'm going to send myself, out and I'll run if I have to. Then again, Dexter is probably the fastest. I would probably send him out there and tell him, 'Look man, just holler if the bear is close.'

Anwar: So, which receiver would have to hunt or fish for everybody's food?

Antonio: Probably Ike Hilliard and Mike Clayton. They look like the type who have those traits in them to get us some fish. Mike is country. He's from Louisiana. He should know something about fishing.

Anwar: How much would you like to vacation in Hawaii as a Pro Bowler in February?

Antonio: My rule has been that I'm not going to Hawaii unless it's a free trip. That's No. 1. I've always said that since I've discovered that the league pays for you to go out there. I've worked hard, and if that can happen, I'm blessed. That's why I don't go to Super Bowls unless I'm playing in it. You might have seen me at Miami for the Super Bowl, but I'm from Miami.

Anwar: The Super Bowl is here in Tampa, and that's not a long vacation trip, either.

Antonio: That would be great, but the best part would be to look back and say we won it here in Tampa. That would be an even greater feat. I'm not one of those people who want to go to the Super Bowl. Some people are so fixated about just going to the Super Bowl, and that's why they never accomplish anything. I don't want to just go there. I'm greedy. I'm humble, but I'm greedy. Who says there is a limit? If you have people that are poor and people who are billionaires, why would I want to stay at one place when the limit far exceeds where I am now? I want it all, or at least as much as I can get.

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