The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the USC running back who is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy and the potential top pick in the 2006 NFL Draft:
Q: Jet fans would love you to play for them next season.
A: I do know that. I would love to play there.
Q: What message do you have for Jet fans?
A: If I get a chance to play there, be ready, ’cause I’m gonna put on a show.
Q: Would you pay to watch you play?
A: Yeah I would.
Q: Because why?
A: I put on a show for the fans; it keeps you on your toes, constantly wanting to see what I’m gonna do next.
Q: Do you invent moves on the field?
A: I guess you could say something like that, yeah. I don’t pre-plan anything. I do whatever comes natural to me.
Q: Do you ever watch yourself on film and go “Wow, did I do that?”
A: Sometimes. I don’t want this to come out the wrong way – I have such high expectations for myself. I’ve been doing those type moves since Pop Warner.
Q: What adjectives – electrifying, dynamic, etc. – would you use to describe Reggie Bush?
A: Electrifying is a good one … multi-talented (chuckles).
Q: The Heisman Trophy?
A: It would be a great honor to win the Heisman. It’s one of the most prestigious awards in college football, especially coming from San Diego because a number of Heisman Trophy-winning running backs have come out of there – Ricky Williams, Marcus Allen, Rashaan Salaam. Hopefully, I can add to it.
Q: What is it like being Reggie Bush these days?
A: I would say it’s busy (chuckles). But it’s fun at the same time.
Q: You write your area code – 619 – on your eye patches. If you wind up in New York with the Jets, will you change it to 212?
A: No, it’ll stay 619, ’cause that’s where I’m from.
Q: NFL running backs you enjoy watching.
A: Shaun Alexander; Warrick Dunn; Marshall Faulk; LaDainian Tomlinson.
Q: Is USC the greatest college football team ever?
A: In these last three years, that’s a fair statement. I would say it is the best college team to ever play college football.
Q: When you came to New York for the Heisman last year, you visited Ground Zero?
A: I drove by it and saw it; my parents actually visited it. It was like a weird, kinda eerie feeling. A lot of people died there. It’s hard to explain the feeling when you see something like that.
Q: That was your first time in New York City; what did you think of it?
A: I liked it a lot. I got a chance to walk around and do a little shopping.
Q: Would you like to play in New York?
A: I would love to play in New York. New York’s a great place to live, to play.
Q: When will you make your decision about whether or not to turn pro?
A: After the season.
Q: What’s your weight?
A: I weighed myself (Wednesday) morning; I was 201.
Q: What would you tell NFL people about whether you can run between the tackles?
A: I’m the man for the job.
Q: Will you need shoulder surgery after the season?
A: No.
Q: Favorite childhood memory?
A: My second Pop Warner game ever, I rushed for like 544 yards and 8 touchdowns when I was eight years old.
Q: Best play you ever made?
A: Oh man … I would say The Push (of Matt Leinart) in the Notre Dame game. It’s hard to single out one.
Q: Was that instinct?
A: Yeah, it was. It wasn’t anything I planned.
Q: What story will you tell your grandchildren one day about Pete Carroll?
A: When he brought in Snoop Dogg to one of our practices last year. It kinda shocked me. I didn’t even think Coach Carroll would know who Snoop Dogg was.
Q: Describe Matt Leinart.
A: Ordinary guy. He’s kinda goofy.
Q: Goofy?
A: His personality. He jokes around a lot. He has a good sense of humor.
Q: What famous USC alums have you met?
A: Marcus Allen; I talked to O.J. Simpson on the phone.
Q: What was that conversation like?
A: Last year when we were playing for the Orange Bowl, he congratulated me and told me to keep playing hard.
Q: Why did you choose USC?
A: It felt right in my heart and my parents loved it and it was close to home.
Q: What was your offseason workout with LaDainian like?
A: Intense. It almost killed me. I had a newfound respect for what you need to be in shape.
Q: You interviewed players at Super Bowl XXXVII when you were still in high school.
A: That was great. I got a chance to meet a lot of NFL players. One of the sportswriters there asked me questions about the whole day and he wrote a story about it.
Q: Who did you interview?
A: Charlie Garner; Keyshawn Johnson; Tim Brown; Michael Irvin.
Q: What do you want for Christmas?
A: A national championship.
Q: If you weren’t a football player, what would you be?
A: Probably a baseball player.
Q: What position?
A: Outfield.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Denzel Washington; Walter Payton; Michael Jordan.
Q: Best piece of advice your mother gave you.
A: Stay humble and don’t forget where you came from.
Q: Hobbies?
A: Shopping; watching sports; going to the movies.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Any Given Sunday.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel.
Q: Favorite car?
A: Ferrari.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Mexican food.
nypost.com
Which USC star would you prefer the Jets draft?
Reggie Bush 62.8%
Matt Leinart 37.2%
5,819 votes


