Behind the Scenes with OT Wesley Britt Wesley Britt is in his second season with the Patriots organization, after spending the majority of the 2005 campaign on the practice squad. The six-foot-eightinch, 320-pound offensive tackle was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round (164th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. The Alabama native started all 46 games he played for the Crimson Tide and was a first team All-Southeastern Conference selection as a senior.
Britt sat down with us to answer some questions about his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
Who was your favorite wrestler growing up? Definitely Hulk Hogan. I was a Hulkamaniac.
What is your favorite web site? That's a tough one. Probably Google because you can find anything on there.
What is your favorite type of food? Southern cooking with some fried chicken, pulled cabbage and corn on the cob.
What was your favorite aspect about growing up in Alabama? The family atmosphere. It seems like everything you do has to do with your family. There is a lot of respect for one another.
What is your favorite movie? I actually have two, Braveheart and Anchorman. I try to be well rounded, so my favorites are two totally different types of movies.
What was your favorite pro football team when you were younger? I really didn't have a favorite pro team. The state of Alabama is so focused on college football. Football is taken so seriously down there. It is the next thing to religion.
Who is your favorite musical group? Ironically, the best of all-time is Alabama.
OFF THE FIELD
You and both of your brothers played at the University of Alabama. Since you are from the area, was it just a forgone conclusion that you would go there? No I was actually really close to going to Florida. I went to Alabama, but I grew up an Auburn fan. Through the recruiting process, Alabama showed that it was the place for me with the 12 national championships and the family atmosphere.
Your brother Justin still plays there. How difficult is it to follow the Crimson Tide in the Northeast? I have had the chance to watch a few games. I actually had the coaching staff mail me the film for one game. I'm really close to my brothers, so I keep up with them. I talk with Justin all the time. I also check the team out at crimsontradition.com.
How important is football as a whole in Alabama? It is such a big deal. On Friday nights my town basically shuts down to go to high school games. It is a really cool atmosphere.
What has been the biggest transition to living in New England? The drivers and the roadways. If there is anything on the side of the road, people just stop and look.
What is one thing you wish you were better at? There are a lot of things. I will start with the fact that I always want to get better at football. I wish I was a better East Coast driver too.
At six-feet-eight-inches, did you ever think about a career in basketball? No way. Football definitely found me and basketball definitely got rid of me. I played in high school and was decent, being my size of course.
What is something that annoys you? Besides bad driving, I would say people that are not respectful of others.
What scares you the most? If something were to happen to a family member or close friend of mine.
Who is the best-dressed player in the locker room? Tom Brady definitely tries to be the most in-style. He has that GQ look.
If I turned on the CD player in your truck right now, what would I hear? Right now, it would be Tim McGraw.
What is the toughest thing about you that your parents had to put up with when you were younger? Everything. I never stayed put.We lived on a bunch of land and I would be in the woods for hours when I was really young. I would go acres into the woods with my dogs and they would be worried about where I was.
Which Patriots offensive lineman can take down the most food? Gene Mruczkowski can eat so much. I once saw him eat six hamburgers at a sitting.
ON THE FIELD
Do you have a specific ritual before a game? I'm a traditionalist in some respects. I really try to do the same thing every game. I like to rest and relax and study my playbook in a certain order. Then I take time putting on my pads in a certain order.
What is the toughest thing about the NFL that most people wouldn't know? Two-a-days. There is no way you can know about training camp unless you go through it. It is a tough experience.
In your mind, what makes a great teammate? Someone you can count on and a person that wants to do their job because they don't want to let the person next to them down.
When did you realize you had a legitimate shot at playing in the NFL? That has always been a dream of mine. I have always kept that as a major goal.
THIS OR THAT
Play in the rain or play in the snow? I would say rain.
Cook a meal or call for a delivery? Cook a meal. I can get on the grill a little bit and cook a steak or maybe some hamburgers.
Make a call or text message? Call because it is more personal.
New England clam chowder or gumbo? Tough one. I like the clam chowder.
Better boy band: NSYNC or Backstreet Boys? I couldn't tell you a song from either group.
Bungee Jump or Skydive? I haven't done either one, but I would choose skydiving.
JUST FOR FUN
If you could set up one of your fellow teammates on the MTV show Punk'd, who would you pick? Matt Cassel. He is an easy target.
Which one of your teammates would be the best apprentice for Donald Trump? Matt Light would do a good job.
If this team had a spelling bee, who would take home the championship? Stephen Neal. He is a really smart individual.
