The Patriots drafted Willie Andrews in the seventh round (229th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-9-inch, 195-pound defensive back set multiple school records as a return specialist at Baylor, while also starting every game at safety during his final three collegiate seasons. Andrews holds the Bears' all-time records for kick returns (164), kick return yards (1,647) and punt return yards (949). The Texas native was selected as the All- Big 12 Conference first-team return specialist as a junior and senior, becoming the first player in school history to accomplish the feat.
Andrews sat down with us to look at his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What is your favorite movie? Madea's Family Reunion by Tyler Perry.
What was your favorite video game as a kid? That's a hard one. Everyone is a Madden fan. I would go with Super Tecmo Bowl for Nintendo. I always used the Chicago Bears.
What is your favorite element of training camp? I always like the team period during practice. Going against Tom Brady, Corey Dillon and that offense, I look forward to full-team activity every day. It is always a challenge.
What is your favorite type of food? I've gotten to like seafood and Italian food. I like pasta and Shrimp Alfredo.
What was your favorite thing about growing up in Texas? The weather. I have only seen snow three times in my life. That is something I have to get adjusted to up here.
What was your favorite class in college? A class on non-verbal communication. You learn to read people by looking at their facial expressions, body language and their demeanor.
OFF THE FIELD
What is the best prank you have seen in the locker room? There is always a situation where a group of guys tie someone up and they are thrown in the cold tub. As a rookie class, we put on some great rookie skits about the veterans this year.
What was your most embarrassing moment in sports? The only punt I have ever fumbled. I took that the hardest. It was in a tough game against Texas A&M that we lost at the end.
What is the most difficult thing about being a rookie in the NFL? You have to always believe in yourself. You see all these great players like Rodney Harrison and you have to have confidence in yourself. You have to believe you can compete at this level and know that you are here for a reason.
What is one thing that you have always wanted to do? I'm looking forward to leaving the country. I rarely left Texas, so I hope to take a trip in the offseason. I might try the Caribbean. I have never been on a cruise.
What was the worst job you ever had? I used to be the chicken fryer at Popeye's. It was hot with the grease and I worked long hours. I was just a kid though.
What is something that annoys you? Disrespectful people. Everyone should hold themselves on an equal level.
With your speed, did the track coach at Baylor ever approach you? Some of the members of the track team wanted me to run, but I wanted to focus on football. I knew I couldn't run the 400-meter in 43 seconds, so there was no need for me to be out there.
Do you have a nickname? I have thousands of nicknames ... Big Will, Little Will, WA, Willing. They call me all types of things.
What scares you the most? Living my life in vain ... gain the whole world and lose your soul.
What do you like to do in your free time? During camp it is just resting. I'm a connoisseur of all sports, so when I'm not playing football, I try to get some cardio playing basketball and doing some gymnastics.
ON THE FIELD
Is high school football in Texas really that important to the community? It is the king. You are like a celebrity when you are a high school football player in Texas. I was playing against Cedric Benson and Reggie McNeal, who is with the Bengals now. They have been stars since the ninth or tenth grade. Everyone in the community knows who you are.
Which player in the NFL are you most looking forward to playing against? Corey Rodgers who was the Packers' fourth round pick this year. He was a wide receiver at TCU, and we worked out together before the NFL Combine. I look forward to going up against him.
Describe the feeling you get as a kickoff returner when the game is about to start? There is a lot of adrenaline flowing. You try to block out everything else and still bring the intensity.
Who is the best collegiate player you suited up against in the Big 12 Conference? I would say Jason White, the quarterback from Oklahoma. The year he won the Heisman, he was a great pocket passer that got the ball away quick and avoided the blitz.
THIS OR THAT
Go to the movie theater or watch the DVD? DVD.
BBQ ribs or a juicy Texas steak? I'll go with a big steak.
Which reality show would you rather be on: Survivor or Dancing with the Stars? I think I could win Survivor. That is easy money.
Sports car or SUV? SUV. Everything is bigger in Texas.
Jessica Simpson or Halle Berry? Without a doubt, Halle Berry.
Make an interception or return a kick for a score? I would say a kickoff return for a score. That is a bigger moment.
JUST FOR FUN
If you could only invite three celebrities to a party, who would they be? Definitely Bill Clinton and Michael Jordan. Tom Brady because I would like to see how he would act.
Which one of the rookies is the easiest to pull a prank on? Laurence Maroney. He always has his hand in something, so it would be easy to get him. He would laugh at the prank more than the person who pulled it.
Which one of the rookies would be the best apprentice for Donald Trump? Dan Stevenson. He is a real character who can be hard-nosed when it is time to be. He is someone who everyone would love to work with.
If you could have a cameo on any TV show, which would you choose? I would do some voice skits for a cartoon show like The Family Guy.
