April 3, 2009
Lon Roberts plays a vital role as the center on the offensive line of the Bulldog football team. Prior to Tech's T-Day Spring Game on April 11, we sat down with Roberts and learned about his superstitions, why he chose his jersey number and a costume he once wore for Halloween.
LATechSports.com: Where are you from?
Roberts: Kilgore, Texas
LATechSports.com: Do you have a nickname?
Roberts: By a small number of people, I am referred to as Lonster the Monster.
LATechSports.com: What are you majoring in?
Roberts: Sociology
LATechSports.com: What do you enjoy the most about Tech?
Roberts: I would have to say the camaraderie we share as a football team.
LATechSports.com: What are your plans after college?
Roberts: After I graduate, I would like to coach football in Texas.
LATechSports.com: What is your greatest achievement?
Roberts: Without a doubt, my greatest achievement is helping my team win the 2008 Independence Bowl.
LATechSports.com: Who inspires you?
Roberts: Everyone from my hometown inspires me because they support me in everything I do.
LATechSports.com: What are your hobbies?
Roberts: I enjoy playing tennis, golf and the cello.
LATechSports.com: If you could spend a day with one person, who would it be?
Roberts: The center for the Tennessee Titans, Kevin Mawae, because in my opinion he is the best center in the NFL.
LATechSports.com: What is your favorite part of a road trip?
Roberts: Once we arrive at our destination, we normally go out to eat and see a movie.
LATechSports.com: When did you start playing football and why?
Roberts: I really didn't play football until 10th grade. My dad suggested that I try it, and I ended up being pretty good at it.
LATechSports.com: What is your all-time favorite sports moment?
Roberts: Seeing Tech wide receiver Johnathan Holland make an amazing, one-handed catch during our football game at Nebraska is my favorite moment. It was just cool to actually be there and witness it. His catch ended up being a top play on ESPN.
LATechSports.com: What song or artist do you listen to before a game?
Roberts: I listen to several artists before our games, including Metallica and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
LATechSports.com: Who do you contribute your success to in your sport?
Roberts: I contribute my success to all of my coaches. Coach Perot here at Tech and my coach in high school, Coach Ferro, have really helped me improve.
LATechSports.com: If you could play professionally for a particular team, who would it be?
Roberts: Well, since I am from Texas, I would want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. I really think Jerry Jones and I could be great friends.
LATechSports.com: Are you superstitious?
Roberts: I'm very superstitious. For instance, whatever I wear the first game of the season I have to wear the rest of the season, no matter what the weather is like. If I wear my tights on the first game because it's cold, then I have to wear them every game even if it's really hot.
LATechSports.com: Did you choose your jersey number for a particular reason?
Roberts: I chose to wear No. 60 because it is the year my mom was born.
LATechSports.com: Would you ever do something extreme or adventurous?
Roberts: I sure would. I figure if you have the chance to do something that is adventurous, then why not?
LATechSports.com: Can you impersonate someone?
Roberts: I'm not very good at impersonations, but sometimes I impersonate one of our other offensive linemen, Ben Harris.
LATechSports.com: Have you ever met a celebrity?
Roberts: When we were coming back from the Hawai'i game last season, we met the actor who played T-1000 in Terminator.
LATechSports.com: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Roberts: I would want to live in a big city like New York or Los Angeles.
LATechSports.com: What is your favorite movie?
Roberts: Traffic
LATechSports.com: What is your favorite food?
Roberts: I love the steak at Rabb's. LATechSports.com: What was the strangest costume you wore for Halloween?
Roberts: One year, I dressed up in my high school's mascot costume.
LATechSports.com: If you were stranded on a beach, what five things would you need to survive?
Roberts: Some clean water, a TV, TiVo, satellite reception and tools to hunt and gather my food. I think as long as I had the NFL Network, I would be OK.
