The Patriots selected offensive tackle Nick Kaczur in the third round (100th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. The Brantford, Ontario native was the first four-time All-Mid-American Conference player in University of Toledo history. The 6-foot-4-inch, 319-pounder started 51 games in his career and helped the Rockets to three Motor City Bowl appearances during his stay. In his first season with the Patriots, he was thrust into the starting lineup because of an injury to starting left tackle Matt Light. Kaczur has since started in 7 games in place of Light.
Kaczur sits down with us to look at his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What is your favorite type of food? I'm a big fan of double cheeseburgers from Wendy's.
What is your favorite movie? I like Adam Sandler movies, so I'll go with Happy Gilmore.
What is your favorite television show? The Simpsons. I have been watching that show since the beginning.
What is your favorite vehicle that you have ever owned? The 2003 Silverado truck that I recently bought.
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid? Gummi Bears. That's big in Canada where I grew up, so you have probably never heard of it. Everyone is going to read this and say "what's this guy talking about?," but it was a real cartoon.
Who is your favorite wrestler? I don't know too many of the guys. It was Hulk Hogan. I hear that he is still around though.
What is your favorite material possession? I really don't have one.
OFF THE FIELD
If you could play another professional sport,what would it be? I would be a golfer. I must admit that I'm terrible though. It's a fun sport. You walk around in the sun and someone carries your clubs for you. It's a perfect sport.
What is one thing you wish you were better at? I would like to be a better dancer.
What is the most extravagant thing you have ever purchased? Probably the Silverado truck that I bought with my signing bonus.
You are a native of Brantford, Ontario, which is also the home of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. Is it safe to say that you are the second most popular athlete from there? Not yet. Hopefully I can get to that point someday. The town has his name everywhere...Gretzky Parkway, Gretzky Center. You come into town and they have big signs that read "Home of Wayne Gretzky." I was a big fan of #99 growing up.
If I turned on the CD player in your car right now, what would I hear? Country music. I like Hank Williams, Jr.
You were a four-time All-Mid-American Conference selection. Do you think the MAC is underrated nationally in football? In certain circumstances, I do. There is definitely good talent coming out of the league, like Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington and Randy Moss. The abundance of talent though still doesn't compare to other conferences. As a smaller conference school we definitely have to travel to big conference schools in some cases a few times before they come to our place, but it's a great opportunity for the smaller schools and conferences nonetheless.
You were selected in the first round of the CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts. Was that a surprise? I kind of knew that it was going to happen, being from Canada. Obviously, they need to have a certain number of Canadians on the roster. Basically, what it does is it holds my rights for the Argonauts.
Between you and fellow rookie Logan Mankins, who can put down the most food? He can definitely put down more than me.
ON THE FIELD
What is the toughest thing about the NFL that most people wouldn't know? The mental part and the speed of the game are the biggest adjustments that you have to make. It is so much more accelerated than in college.
Do you have a specific pre-game ritual? I'm pretty simple. I don't have any superstitions.
In your mind, what makes a great teammate? Someone you can trust and count on and someone who definitely works as hard as you do. You know that he has your back just like you have his.
When did you realize you had a legitimate shot at playing in the NFL? After my junior year. I made All-MAC for the third straight year and that's when it started to become apparent that I had a shot.
THIS OR THAT
Montreal Canadians or Toronto Maple Leafs? Without a doubt the Toronto Maple Leafs. Game 7 of the World Series or Game 7 of the NBA Finals? Neither. I'll take the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, even bowling over those two choices.
Relax at home or out on the town? That is a 50/50 thing. I love to do both of those. It all depends on my mood and what I feel like doing.
Read the book or see the movie? See the movie.
Better place to vacation: A week in Europe or a week on the beach in Cancun? I have never been to Europe, but I would love to go. I hear there is a lot to do over there that I don't think a lot of people have seen. I have a friend who is from Germany and he tells me about all the stuff to do over there. I can't wait to go.
Cook a meal or call for delivery? I'm not much of a cook. Call for delivery.
JUST FOR FUN
If you were a professional wrestler,what would be your finishing move? I would go with a variation of the Stone Cold stunner.
If you could change one rule in the NFL, what would it be? Being an offensive lineman, I would cut down on the cut blocking calls and open it up a little more.
If you could spend one day with any person throughout history,who would it be? That's a tough one. I would love to follow around a medieval king or ruler who commanded thousands of people to do something and they went along with him.
If this team had an arm wrestling tournament, who would walk away with the championship? I'll go with Vince Wilfork.
