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Gibson still forming identity

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 19, 2001

Bucs second-year safety David Gibson is an unknown commodity eager to make his mark in the game. He's in the market for an NFL career, but off the market when it comes to love (he got married in June). Check out Gibson on marriage, a wife who can golf and sensitivity.

RM: Isn't 23 a little young to get married?

DG: No. I don't think so. I'll tell you what, I know from the outside world people will look at it and say I got married too young. Especially when they consider that my wife (Jenny) and I only knew each other for about six months when I proposed. But, I knew when I knew and she did too. It didn't take more than a month for me to know that I was going to marry her. So, why wait.

RM: What did the doubters tell you?

DG: They were concerned about the timing, that I didn't know the person. That it was too soon. That I should take time to get to know her. They would tell me that since I was young I should sow my oats, so to speak. I didn't buy into that. I would be stupid to say I know everything about her, because I'm still learning something new every day.

RM: Heard you moved into a new house. Did you have any say in the decorating?

DG: Nope. She took over, but I wanted her to. I trust her taste better than I trust my own. I have my one room, like an office and it's going to be my hideaway.

RM: Let me tell you, you're not ever going to have a say.

DG: That's good, she has good taste.

RM: You're saying all the right things, my man, I'm proud of you.

DG: She's going to read this, isn't she.

RM: Hmmm, you are wise beyond your years.

DG: Thank you.

RM: Considering that your wife is a former University of Kentucky standout golfer, how does it feel to have your wife basically kick your behind in golf?

DG: It's a humbling experience. It takes some time getting used to.

RM: Does she rub it in?

DG: I'm at the point where I'm not even trying to beat her anymore. I'm trying to be respectable so we can play and I don't have to spend an hour of her time looking for my ball.

RM: She talks trash?

DG: She's pretty competitive. When we get out there she tells me to quit being competitive and not try to beat her. But at the same time I think she likes to beat me a bit.

RM: I'm sure people think you're a clone of John Lynch.

DG: That's the common feeling, but I'm not. We have some obvious similarities and people tend to look at those. But, it's an insult to John for people to say anyone's a clone of him. He's made his mark as a player. I would like to think that I'm my own person and will make my own mark as a player. I would definitely like to pattern some of my things after John, but when it comes down to my turn to make a statement in the NFL, I want to bring my own game.

RM: Which is?

DG: I'm still figuring it out.

RM: What do you drive?

DG: Cadillac Escalade.

RM: I'm surprised, you look more like a fast-car guy.

DG: I had a (Honda) Civic in college, so I wanted to get something big and the SUVs are the in thing. The next car is going to be a sports car. Maybe, if money wasn't an issue, I would like a Mercedes sports car.

RM: You like fast cars?

DG: I drive more fast than I drive slow. I've never gotten over 100 mph, but I don't think I have ever had a car that could go over 100 mph.

RM: How does Jenny feel when you're driving fast?

DG: She's a faster driver than I am. She tells me I drive like an old lady.

RM: Good Lord. She kicks your behind in golf, she drives faster than you. What is going on here?

DG: Reverse roles I guess.

RM: Which super hero would you be?

DG: Superman. Every super hero seems to have a glaring strength that is his specialty, one thing he can do really great. But Superman is more well-rounded. He can do it all. The X-ray vision, the strength, the faster than a speeding bullet, the whole thing.

RM: When was the last time you cried?

DG: The day I got married. Not a big cry, but it was a little cry of joy.

RM: Spare me, is it okay to cry?

DG: Sure. That tough-guy image is overrated.

RM: Word out is that women like men who are in tune to their sensitive side.

DG: There has to be a balance. It seems the trend today is for guys to be too sensitive, like the tough-guy image is going away. But a man has got to be a man. You have to be strong and under control.

RM: Do you want to be buried or cremated?

DG: Cremated. It's not about the body, it's about the soul. I don't think I like the thought of my body rotting in the ground, slowly.

RM: Craziest college moment?

DG: In my freshman year, my roommate and I got suckered into playing a foosball game with some of my teammates. We got beat 10-0 and they told us we have to do a "row run." So, at USC the fraternities are in a row, and we had to run down the middle of the street buck naked.

RM: Did you do it?

DG: Had no choice. It was a Thursday night, the big party night, first week of school, so everyone was out. The guys were behind in a truck with the lights on us and the fog horn.

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