NFLRUSH

Roberto Garza

Roberto Garza Antonio Gates Gary Baxter

The other day, NFLRUSH spoke to Roberto Garza, offensive guard for the Chicago Bears, and asked him some questions about his daily schedule the week of a game, what he eats the morning of a game and his thoughts on the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month! Here's what Roberto had to say:

NFLRUSH: So, Roberto, in your last interview you spoke about how tough Training Camp was, but now you're into the regular season and that routine.
From a fitness and diet point of view -- is the regular season tougher?

ROBERTO: Well, once you leave Training Camp - you get into a regular routine for the season. Here's the usual schedule for my week during the regular season: Basically, for the first half of week you're recovering from the last game. You are sore.

NFLRUSH: Do you get any days off?

ROBERTO: Yes. Monday is an off-day and we get Tuesday off - if we win! If not, we're in on Tuesday. So, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are full days of exercise and watching films (of the past game and the team they're playing next!) Then, Friday we work three-quarters of the day, then we slow down as we start to conserve ourselves for the game on Sunday. Saturdays are short days, really getting ready and conserving for the game.

NFLRUSH: That's an intense schedule. Can we talk about food -- what do you eat before a game?

ROBERTO: Ok, let's say the game is at 12:00 on Sunday. We usually eat a pregame meal around 8-10 that morning. I eat mostly carbs - which means a BIG breakfast! Big plates of carbs - everything from pancakes to chicken, mash potatoes and spaghetti!

NFLRUSH: Wow, spaghetti and chicken at 8am?! And how about after the game, are you starving?

ROBERTO: Oh yeah! You got to figure that by the time we're done with the game it's around 4pm. The last time I ate was around 9 in the morning and I just played an NFL football game! You tell me? Am I hungry?!

NFLRUSH: I'd say you're hungrier than hungry! Let me ask you about something I know is pretty important to you -- Hispanic Heritage Month. You've said that the NFL is becoming increasingly popular with Hispanics. Why do you think that is?

ROBERTO: Well first off there has been football (American football, not soccer) in Mexico since the 1930's. Also, the numbers of local US-Hispanic fans are growing bigger because teams (like the Chicago Bears) are becoming more involved in their neighborhoods. That makes the people all around the cities, in the neighborhoods, more and interested and loyal fans!

NFLRUSH: Just to get back to PLAY 60 for a moment-- if you could look back on this year and think about what you've accomplished for kids through the PLAY 60 program - what comes to mind?

ROBERTO: I'd be most proud if I could help kids understand that what they do now affects the rest of their lives. If kids could understand that, I would feel like I accomplished something great!

NFLRUSH: That is a great message for kids, Roberto. Now, how about as a player - what would you like to look back and see?

ROBERTO: As a player looking back at this season? One thing -- we'd be returning to the Super Bowl and we'd win it this time!