New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - New Orleans Saints Q and A: defensive end Junior Galette

Junior Galette is a defensive end in his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans signed Galette as an undrafted free agent in May. He spent his senior season at Stillman College after being kicked off Temple's football team for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Galette, 6 feet 2, 258 pounds, played on the defensive line for the first time at Stillman after playing linebacker at Temple. He made 56 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks and earned second-team Division II All-American honors. He recently spoke with staff writer Rachel Whittaker.

Junior Galette
PLAYER: Junior Galette
POSITION: Defensive end
AGE: 22
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-2/258
COLLEGE: Stillman
NFL EXPERIENCE: Rookie

10 QUESTIONS WITH JUNIOR GALETTE

Who's the one figure in football you admire the most?
"I thought I was a basketball player, and basketball came first, so I never really got the concept of football until I got to college. But I always liked Lawrence Taylor because of how much passion he played with, and his enthusiasm. He always played with that style, so he's somebody I looked up to. I'd like to follow his path on the field."

Any pre-game superstitions?
"I always have to throw my praise and give my blessings to God, asking him to walk in front of me while I walk behind and let him lead the path because God is in complete control of my life. Everything happens for a reason. I thank the Lord for all the blessings he gave me."

Who was your favorite coach, high school or college?
"Tony Karcich, my high school coach, kept nagging me and said, 'This is where you're going to make money. This is where you have a chance to basically save your family.' He saw something in me I guess nobody else saw at that time, when I was 16 and 17 years old. My coach at Stillman College, L.C. Cole, gave me a second chance at life to re-ignite my football career after leaving Temple."

Who's your favorite musical artist?
"Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin or Young Jeezy. Those are the three choices that get me amped up before a game."

What's your favorite pre-game meal?
"I like to load up on the pasta, because when I eat all those carbs I feel so much stronger."

What is your best football memory?
"Something I won't ever forget are those three draft days, April 22-24, when I didn't get drafted. I like to keep those days in my mind to use as motivation to keep me going."

Who is your biggest fan?
"Jesus Christ is my biggest fan, and I'm his biggest fan. I thank him for this God-given talent I have and this opportunity I have. I put it all in the hands of Jesus Christ. Second to him would be my mother."

If you weren't playing football what career would you pursue?
"I've always wanted to give back. I'd like to give back to kids who grow up in terrible financial situations at home or rough economic backgrounds, and help anyone else I can in Haiti."

What other position would you like to play?
"Wide receiver. That's what I played in high school. A lot of the cuts they do and routes they run come second-nature. When you're a defensive lineman, you have to use your footwork."

What's your favorite sport other than football?
"Pro basketball. I'm a hard-core Lakers fan. When Michael Jordan left the (Chicago) Bulls, I saw Kobe (Bryant) as someone similar. I thought, 'I could try to follow in his footsteps, but I never grew past 6-foot-2 and three quarters. I had to throw that three quarters in there."