The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Brian Orakpo: Playboy All-America Weekend day two
05.11.2008 | Football
This was a very exciting, very memorable weekend I had. Day two is wrapping up with western night and earlier we had the photo shoot. It was nice to be able to take a photo with everybody in their game-ready uniforms. We had a great time taking the pictures, acting up and just being together and having a great time.
Now wrapping up with western night, it was fun to wear the cowboy hat and bandana and to ride the mechanical bull, but what all of these things did is set the scene for a lot of good memories and some new friendships. All of these guys are guys I can relate to. They're guys who happen to be good at football, but on a personal level, they're down-to-earth, genuine guys. I could relate to everybody, but I really connected with the D-line. Obviously they play the same position I do and we're all trying to get after the quarterback, so we can share our interest in that. I hung out with them the most, but everybody out here has been fun, and they're great people.
Even earlier today, we got a chance to have a cookout and hang out by the pool for lunch. Some of the guys got in and played volleyball and basketball, but I was happy over by the guitar hero game where I teamed up with James Laurinaitis of Ohio State. I was on the guitar and he was doing his best impression of Bon Jovi.
Overall, I had a couple of other highlights from the weekend. Of the things that we're scheduled, I'd say my favorite was the bull ride. I had never done it. It was interesting being out there trying to stay on as long as I could. I thought I did a pretty good job with 26 seconds, which wasn't bad. At least it was good enough to beat Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech. We had challenged each other going in, and I came out on top when he got DQed for using two hands.
Then what I wasn't expecting is that there was a celebrity golf tournament going on at the course that goes with the hotel. We just happened to be hanging out and going around the hotel and we ran into both Lawrence Taylor and Clyde Drexler. It was great to meet both of them, but LT is someone that redefined the position of defensive end, so that was pretty special. I hear he's become a really great golfer, too.
I said this yesterday too, but I think it's important to point out that this is a start. You don't ever want to just be a pre-season all-American and then nobody hears about you again. This is a starting point, and I want to build off this and really contribute. When two-a-days come around, I want to help my teammates get better and help myself get better. We want to have a great, successful 2008 season. The goals and standards I have for myself are very high. I feel like with the dedication and work I put into football and for The University of Texas, that there's a lot to achieve for both myself and the team. I can't wait for the season to start when I can get out there with my real teammates and see what we can do.
Again, this has been a great weekend. I had a good time from start to finish and I want to thank Gary and Nancy Cole and Gil Brandt for putting it on. Everything is done so well, and at the same time, it's so much fun because it's so relaxed. I'd say the only way it could be better is to be a little bit longer, but I'm certainly not complaining.
I'll see you all back in Austin.
Hook 'em,
Rak
