Image via John Munson ( Star Ledger)
Welcome to the second part of the Demario Davis interview. During this part we get to know Demario outside of football, his likes etc and of course I had to ask about the Ray Lewis comparison made by Rex Ryan, enjoy.
Did you have any heroes growing up?
My first hero was my Grandmother, my Grandmother had 10 kids, she's passed now but she was an angel. You didn't have to tell her what was wrong, she kinda knew. If there was anything wrong with you physically, she could whip up some magic potion and make it all better. She was just a special woman, I mean she had a deep bond, that I had with her, with everyone that came into contact with her. She loved the lord and was the main reason I ended up in church, and all the children ended up in church. She was my first hero in life, and as I go through life I try to have that type of wisdom about life, and build those type of relationships that she built with people. I just remember how she was, and I remember new stuff about her still to this day.
Then as I got into sports, Michael Jordan was my hero, but I think he was pretty much everyone's hero. I used to look back and study Mike, I used to watch documentaries on him learned how much of a competitor he was, and how much passion he had for winning, and how much he hated losing. It was his competitive nature that I kinda wanted to emulate, as in being very passionate about winning and not accepting defeat, not letting that be a part of you. As I got into football I had a few favourite players, i don't know if they were hero like, but definitely favourite players. Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis. The way Lawrence Taylor played with that high motor all day, the way he ran the field and tormented, the same things Ray brings to the game, but Ray also has the motivational aspect, that leadership that i guess everyone talks about, that's what I try to emulate. That's who I admire a lot, he motivates and rally's his troops around, and I have a lot of respect for those guys. I hold them in very high esteem, I try to reach the level that they played at, and even go past, lord willing. There people that I looked up to and admired.
A hero is guys like Dr King, people that laid their life on the line for what they believe in. Jesus Christ is the ultimate hero, the ultimate man as he died for people that ended up hating, and turning against him. That was genuine love that he had and he really stood for a cause, that's what I believe a hero is, a person that is true and standing for a cause, that lay their life on the line for something they truly believe in.
I just want to touch on something you mentioned, Ray Lewis, Rex Ryan has made comparisons between the two of you, what's your take on this?
First you can't that just let that blow by in your mind, it's an honour to be held in the same sentence as Ray Lewis. At the same time I talked with coach, he wasn't meaning to say it in a way 'in terms of play' I mean this guy has accolades on top of accolades, definite Hall of Famer. This guys done so much to transcend the game. What he was comparing was our mannerisms, passion, the passion that he brings, how he comes to have a good time at work, brings high energy, focus and a lot of intensity to it. Plus the characteristics that displays when he's with other people, just the love of the game. I think that was what he saw similar in me to Ray. We just display the same characteristics, intensity and passion for the game, even with those alone that's enough esteem for me, because someone that you admire and that's what you want to emulate. But that just don't do, just to be like someone, that's just who I am, it's just my character. A guy like Ray Lewis that's someone you'd wanna play like, be held in high regard at the end of your career. I've set a goal to get him, but I mean, you set a goal as you reach it, you don't set it and put a limit on it, where your ending up, you wanna go past that. Definitely that's someone I look at, an option to emulate . I appreciate the remark from coach, but at the same time i understood what he was saying, I didn't let it go to my head, like I can step on the field tomorrow and be the next Ray Lewis. That sort of comment you don't get that everyday.
What's the greatest piece of advice you've been given?
Hmmm be yourself, I was talking to a friend and just got this advice yesterday, with New York being media universe (laughter) it comes at you ten times more than anything you've ever seen before. The guys and I have conversations like this all the time and I was saying in all seriousness, what would say, with the media everywhere, do you play the conservative, true spoken guy, do you kinda embrace it, have some fun with it, so it never gets to you and he was like 'just be yourself, don't change, be you be something that your not' so just be yourself is the best piece of advice I've been given.
Outside of football, what do you do to relax, footballs the last thing on your mind, talk me through a typical day.
When I don't have football, it's usually the day when I get caught up on a lot of my prayers. When I get days off I use them as Sabbath days, get some rest, pray for a lot of people. I get caught up my word, even try to read a couple of books from bible. I usually try to get caught up on my intimacy with God. I love spending time with my now wife, relaxing we have good times, i like to spend a lot of time with her cause once football starts we don't really get a lot of time, even though we try to set a date night. Just a lot of relaxation, I'm really a conservative kinda person that doesn't do too much, I maybe got the mall or something but I just hang out with her.
What's your favourite movie of all time?
I would have to say, I know a lot of people talk about it, but I would have to say The Lion King
Hakuna Matata (laughter).
It's one of the greatest movies of all time man, I try to think of myself as the lion in the jungle, and that's just a good movie, it has a lot in it, Disney makes a good movie. I like 300, I can watch 300 before every game. I have a lot but those two.
What's your favourite type of restaurant you like to go to?
Well, I'm a country boy, so my favourite meal is gonna be home cooked. My favourite meal ever was my Grandmothers beef stew. I don't think anyone can make it anything like it (laughter) I went to the cafeteria one day in college and they had some beef stew and I ate it and it tasted just like how I remembered it, and I remember saying she must have touched one of the cooks or something. I like pork chops, ribs, corn bread, black eyed peas and that's what my wife cooks.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
It would be, to be able too touch hearts, I would just be able too reach in and open hearts up. The bible talks about having a good sole, and the heart has to be ready for the gospel. That would be something I would want to do, just touch heart, open the heart up and let people receive the gospel. That would be the super power that I'd want.
That's the best answer I've ever heard to that question, most people pick, invisibility, immortality and are quite selfish, but the fact that you want a power to enable you to help others is touching.
Thank you
Onto the question that I ask everyone, with few daring to answer. Who's the worst dressed within the team.
(laughs) Man that's a tough one I don't know, I don't really pay attention. At one time in life that would have probably been me, but now I try to wear suits, I don't know I don't really look at everyone else on the team, so I don't know (laughter).
Everyone's seems to dodge this, no ones willing to give a name (laughter).
That wraps things up, myself and Demario spoke for a further couple of minutes during which I wished him luck in life and for the upcoming season, I also thanked him for his time, and how it was a dream come true for me, to talk face to face with a player, and being the gentleman he was he said it was no problem and a pleasure.
I massive thank you once again to Demario for the interview and for taking the time out. Please connect with Demario via twitter @YouAreFree146 and on Facebook. You can also follow the website on twitter @nyjoverthepond and visit us again at www.nyjetsoverthepond.com Thank you to @e_man for the use of Demario's avatar that he created. Missed part one of the interview?, then just click HERE.
