Bucs' Ruud maintains family tradition
By FRANK PASTOR
Published July 3, 2005
Barrett Ruud, the Bucs' second-round pick, is the latest in a long line of Ruuds who played at Nebraska, including Barrett's father, Tom, who spent five seasons with the Bills in the '70s. Time s staff writer Frank Pastor caught up with the heir apparent to middle linebacker Shelton Quarles after his first minicamp.
How are you settling in?
I like it. I'm having a good time, learning a lot. This will make training camp a lot easier, already knowing defenses and stuff.
You've had special guests during camp, including former 49ers coach Bill Walsh and ex-Raiders safety Jack Tatum.
It was really cool for me, because Jack Tatum, I'm kind of a collector of old NFL videos and I remember there were a ton of them with him in them, a bunch of his highlights, and I've heard a lot of stories about him, too, so it was definitely a big thrill for me. And Bill Walsh, he's a legend, so obviously that was thrilling, too.
Best Super Bowl ever played?
I thought the Bills versus Giants (Super Bowl XXV). ... I liked the Bills a lot back then.
Is there such a thing as a voluntary workout?
Not for me, not for rookies. Rookies, you've got to be here. But really, until you've established yourself, I don't think it's voluntary. I think once you're an established guy, you've been there for a while, then it's a little more voluntary.
Your father, two uncles and great-grandfather played at Nebraska. Did you have any other choice?
They were very supportive of letting me go wherever I wanted to, but I always liked Nebraska. I checked around a little bit, but it was always the school I wanted to go to.
The Ruuds have been called the Mannings of the Midwest. What's that mean to you?
I think it's ... just a family that's been successful in a sport more than anything, and they all play the same positions. I think that's probably the biggest comparison. Obviously, Peyton and Archie and Eli are pretty high profile, and we're just linebackers.
You played in the Rose Bowl in 2002 and were there when Nebraska's 35-year bowl streak ended in 2004. What memory sticks with you the most?
I don't remember the football stuff so much. I remember the people I've met, my friends.
Describe the current state of Nebraska's program.
I think they're rebuilding, but I think they're going in the right direction, definitely. They've got a good schedule this year. They might not be right where they want to be this year, but they're definitely on the right track.
Hurricanes or tornadoes, what scares you the most?
Hurricanes.
Why?
Because you deal with water. Tornadoes don't bother me. I could go sit outside in a tornado.
See the new Star Wars movie?
It's okay. I've never been a big Star Wars guy, but it was entertaining.
How about the Longest Yard ?
I actually liked the original better, but it was funny. Adam Sandler always does a pretty good job in his movies.
Did you buy the football scenes?
It was movie football, where you see the flying spear tackles and stuff like that, but it was okay. I thought it was pretty good.
Did you follow Michael Jackson's trial?
No, I watched an episode of South Park that kind of made fun of it that was good. That was probably the closest I got to it.
You were among a handful of players who tested Busch Gardens' SheiKra, the tallest dive coaster in the world. Are you crazy?
It was pretty good. I'm not a real big roller-coaster guy, but it was fun. I liked it. The toughest part is they kind of hang you on the edge, they drop you about 200 feet, but before they drop you they kind of hang you there, so you kind of feel like you're just floating there, so that's probably the scariest part.
If you could be on a reality show, what would it be?
Real World , just to kind of make a mockery of the whole thing. When it was time to clean the whole house as a group, I'd just sit there and do whatever. Me and my brother (Bo) always talked about going on that show and just making a joke of it.
If you weren't playing football, what do you think you'd be doing?
That's a tough question, I don't know. I've been doing it for so long, it's always kind of just been something I did. Maybe be a fishing guide somewhere, go up to Canada and be a fishing guide for the summers and come back and find something to do in the winters.