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Jay Ross is a defensive tackle his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints. Ross played collegiately at East Carolina, where he was an honorable mention All-Conference USA member three times. He had 140 tackles in four seasons with eight sacks and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He is on the active roster after signing with the Saints as an undrafted free agent. Ross recently spoke with staff writer Robert Stewart.
Who was one player you admired growing up?

"I didn't really watch too much football when I was growing up because I was more of a baseball player. But I heard a lot about Warren Sapp, and being from North Carolina, I used to hear about Rod Coleman all the time. I used to watch Chipper Jones, and I also had a cousin, Sean Ross, that used to play for the Braves. I pretty much just followed the Braves because they were my favorite team back then."

Do you have any pregame or in-game superstitions?

"I make sure I get a prayer in because I always put God first in whatever I do."
Who is your favorite coach from college or high school?

"Coach Rock (Roggeman) is my favorite coach, my position coach from college. He hit a stump in the road basically by getting cancer. He's a tough guy, man. He fought it, fought through; he's still fighting it now. He always keeps his head up during whatever he's going through, and he always told me to be humble but stay relentless."

Who is your favorite artist?

"I pretty much listen to Waka Flocka Flame and Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane. Probably Gucci Mane is my favorite, so I listen to him all the time."
What is your favorite pregame food?

"Just whatever I can get that's healthy and will keep me going."
What is your best football memory?

"My best football memory was probably from college, winning back-to-back conference championships and going to the Liberty Bowl, playing against SEC teams. Just seizing the moment with my teammates and seeing the looks on their faces after all the hard work we put in."
Who is your biggest fan?

"Probably have to be my sister, my baby sister, because I know she looks up to me a lot. She has some of my tendencies as when I was growing up. She stays out of trouble, but she's kind of mischievous, too. But I would say my baby sister. I try to be the best model I can be for her."

If you weren't playing football, what would you be doing right now?

"I'd probably have a job either working with my grandfather or doing something with TV, because that's what I have my degree in."
What other position would you want to play if you weren't playing defensive tackle?

"I'd probably play defensive end. I wouldn't want to play offense at all. I will if I have to. I don't know. Anywhere I can actually come in and help my team win wherever I'm at."
What is your favorite sport besides football?

"Probably basketball. Like I said it used to be baseball, but I realized that wasn't something I was going to pursue. I kind of played basketball everyday like in the offseason when I go home. So I still play basketball a lot."
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