November 22, 2025 • 18 mins
San Francisco 49ers defensive linemen Alfred Collins and C.J. West joined “You’ve Got Mail” presented by Delta Dental to discuss their Pop Warner memories, Texas and Chicago roots, Bay Area first impressions, food favorites, and what it’s like bonding as rookies in the 49ers D-line room.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Well, welcome back to You've Got Mail, presented by Delta Dental.
I'm your forty nine Ers team reporter Brionna Janelle, and
in this episode, we're talking to some of your favorite
rookie d linemen, Alfred Collins and CJ. West. In this episode,
they talk all about their journeys to football and they
bring us into the forty nine Ers D line room.
Here's my conversation with Alfred and CJ. Hey beethe, welcome
to You Got Mail. I'm sitting down with Alfred Collins
(00:31):
in CJ. West right before Monday Night football. How are
y'all doing?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
That's great?
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Are y'all excited primetime again?
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
It should be fun. Now. I'm really excited to get
to know y'all a little bit more your personalities. What
brought you into football? You guys both started playing football
like around middle school, right seventh eighth grade. What do
you first remember about what you fell in love with
the game?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
H My first year was eighth grade, and I would
say that that was my first year really being in
like full competitive team sports and like actually getting a
chance to like win something. And I feel like my
greatest satisfaction on that from that was just winning something like,
you know, we did a long hard camp and you know,
(01:15):
practices and all these games and getting something at the
end of it made it really worth it, just you know,
just with my teammates and stuff. So that's kind of
why I fell in love with the game.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So your first season ever playing tackle football, you won
it all?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, we won the Pop Warner Championship or whatever. Wow,
going down to Nationals in Daytona, Florida?
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Was that when it was down in Orlando?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Was in Daytona?
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Okay? Fun?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Oh yeah for whatever Pop Warner the league or whatever
we did ours was in Daytona.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
That's so cool, Alfred. You remember when your first memories
were playing the game?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
No, it was just when I fell in love with it.
It was, I would say, just like the camaraderie of
the boys, the grind stuff like that. I didn't take
it that serious, but it was just you know, it's
a processing. I loved it and it fell in love with.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
When you first started. Was it Pop Warner like CJ?
Or was it school and after school program?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So long story short. I had to stop playing because
breaking complaints about being on too big.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Did they put the eggs on your helmet.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Nah, I could only feel like receiver. But I stopped playing.
But I said, like around middle school and stuff like that,
I really fell in love with it.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah, because I have a little nephew. He plays pop Warner.
My little brother also played pop Warner growing up. And
it's really special seeing sort of the learning curve and
their confidence grow over time, because when you put these
little kids into tackle football, sometimes they're afraid to put
the pads on because no matter how strong you are
as a kid, it could be intimidating. Did you ever
(02:45):
have that learning curve where you were maybe like afraid
to hit and then you just first got it going.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Yeah, most definitely. My first time, like actually tackling somebody,
I was one hundred percent nerve, no idea what I
was doing. My first year playing football. Some of these
kids were bigger than me, and I wasn't always this
big giant get you know, I was. I was a
little more normal sized when I was younger. But yeah,
there's a lot of nerves going into that. But just
the repetitions and getting different opportunities to continue to you know,
(03:11):
build that growth and you know, get opportunities to hit
more and more. You get you kind of get used
to it.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
So Alfred, were you afraid or you knew from the
moment you put the pads on?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, it's like pop wonder. We played this team, we
played up and I saw her playing. I was just scared,
I said, coach from hurt this one out cut. So
I've been scared before.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Then, what what did it take for you to knew
that you got it even at a young age.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Just the next game. I didn't go back in, but yeah,
just the next game and building that confidence.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
And I want to get to know more about your backgrounds,
where you guys are from. Tell me about your hometowns,
how Texas and Illinois shaped you into the people you
are today.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
There you go ahead, they see you know, I would
say Texas has, uh, you know, made tough, made a
lot of connections, you know, ups and downs, and that
shaped me into the person time today. So I mean,
I mean, I feel like in the weather and I
feel like, you know, everybody in Textas is tough because
(04:15):
like the stuff we go through, like and here here
is so nice every day. So I mean, yeah, that's
about it.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
You're Texas through and through because you ended up going
to Texas also how proud was your family because your
mom played at Texas. Did tell me about that?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, No, there was my last out of my top five.
There was my last pick, but it was the best
pick because I was able to stay home, be closed
they come to games. My mom went there, continue your legacy.
So it was all just a blessing.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
So I want to know, Yeah, are you and your
mom competitive? Yes, it's like the most random things you
guys are competitive over.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
I always have to say, Man, I have to say,
what are we competitive about? It's a lot of stuff.
I'm about to get back to you on that.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
You're good, Think about it. Think about it. CJ. Tell
me about your hometown and how it shaped from Chicago. Oh,
Chicago nice, the best.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
City in the world, the best in the world. Got
we got the best food, some of the best people,
the best views. It's just so much to do. Like
it's it's awesome. But yeah, like growing Chicago's Midwest area,
it gets real cold, you know, having them played football
and no seasons and the weather change and and all that.
It definitely makes you tougher. He kind of learned how
(05:31):
to adapt to situations around you or the weather and
not kind of let you don't let the weather change
how you play or you know, how you're feeling that day.
It doesn't really matter. You know, nobody really cares, so
what now what. It's kind of mentality we have. But
growing Chicago is awesome, man. It's it's just a big city,
real fast paced, and you know, growing up my high
(05:51):
school life was awesome. I went to Nazareth Academy, legendary school.
You know, we had a couple of NFL players and
now we got Julian Love for to See and JJ
McCarthy for the Vikings. So it's a legendary school and
I got some legendary people there, and it's just awesome.
You know, real brotherhood there.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
So shout out, shout out. That's really cool. Now, if
I read correctly, you also played rugby.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I did. I did do a little bit.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I'm playing rugby. How does it ever overlap with football?
If it does?
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Man, So I played rugby after playing football, So I'm like,
why not try it? Let's I'm just bored. Let's do
it totally different, not wearing no pads, no helmet. The
football is much more around. You got to toss it
to the side and stuff. You got scrums. Rugby was cool.
I tried it for a little bit. It wasn't really
my forte. I like to hit hard. You can't really
(06:41):
hit that hard in rugby because they don't you don't
have any protection, So I was a little more advancing
those hitting areas. Not a lot of rugby players actually
played football, so I was a little more aggressive than
they liked.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
So was it just like a one season stint or.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I maybe did like three games and it out. I was,
and I was it's not for me, like I tried it,
you know. That was that was you know, the least
I can at least try and say I tried it.
But yeah, I was.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Wasn't really fun thing something Well, one thing I know
about Texas and Chicago is the food is really good.
What's some of the best things when you go back
to your hometown, You're like, I can't wait to go
back and eat this thing?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Man, Uh Portillo's or if you never have Portillos, you
gotta go get you Italian beef extra dip. It's like
the sandwich they got cheese and peppers on it. It's fire.
It's like Chicago steak. If you ever go to Chicago,
you gotta try one. Portillo's is really good, or you
can try the old g spots like Johnny's had some
really good spots as well. But yeah, it's Italian beefs.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Ye, sure, Texas? Is it the barbecue or what is
it that?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yeah, it's for sure, it's for sure the barbecue. But
this place called Corbo Bobs. It's like Chipotle, but like, no,
it's not better. Yeah, every time I go back or
whenever I go back to Austin, I just know I'm
going to Bobs.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
So is it like where you could build your own Oh?
Speaker 2 (08:01):
No, like and they're like they're like not stingy, so
like they it's a very big.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
No.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
No high school, we get the full scoop. So tell me,
how do you build your perfect ball or a burrito?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
What is it?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
All? Right?
Speaker 2 (08:19):
My burrito order, it would be like chicken, rice or sausa.
What else? Probably double dubble chicken and then I'm adding
fish and.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Then double chicken, a fish, cheese.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Lettuce, sour cream, and then whatever sauce I'm in the
mood for.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I don't know about fish, but that sounds fine.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
What kind of fish added? It's like it's like for
our fish.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
I mean that that's sounds good. That does sound good
fried fish. Yeah, like think about it, like fish tacos
are good. Yeah. But okay, So, as you've made your
transition over to California, is this the first time you've
been over to the West coast or do you have
any experience here?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Pretty much? I've been in Soca one time earlier in
my life, like in college. But North Calia it's my
first time up here. It's awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Well, what do you guys think?
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Man, the weathers, you can't beat it. You can't beat
the weather. So it's always sunny here. It's about sixty
five seventy five pretty much every day. The weather never
really changes.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
It rained.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Probably count on one hand how many times it's rain
since I've been here. But it's been It's been lovely.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
I know, it's that crazy. We are kind of tucked
away in the South Bay. But have you guys gotten
able to explore San Francisco maybe the East Bay? What
do you guys think?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Yeah, I've been up to SF a couple of times.
It's gorgeous, has some really nice views up there. They
got some some dope mountains. You got the bridges to
see you know, you always see those as a kid
on postcards and stuff, so I can see that in
the person.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Yeah, you get to see it now. We don't have
what is it called in Texas? The better Chipotle buu? Okay,
have you found a replace policeman or anything like? What's
your maybe go to food spot here in the Bay?
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Mmm?
Speaker 3 (10:05):
I would say the best food that I found so
far is Jackie's Place.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Jackie's Place Jackie fire Bands. If you're listening and you're
in the Bay area. They have a new location in
downtown San Jose and then they also have another one
to San Jose locations, but it's fire.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Have you been?
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's really good? What's your order at Jackie's Place? So
he knows what to order?
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Catfish every time, cheese and candy need that fire.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
They also have a really good banana putting you guys. The
desserts are fire also, Alfred, what's your spot here in
the Bay?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I have to say Joey's. Joey's.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Oh yeah, nice, that's in row area.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
They got some steak up there.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
So fire okay, But so we got our food spots
in the Bay. We reminisced a little bit about home.
You guys told me about your experience playing Pop Warner
and getting really into the league. But you guys have
grown a ton since then. I want to know who
first told y'all that you had what it took to
make it to the NFL And did you believe it
at first?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Yeah? Funny because I didn't play football. I hated it before.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
You know.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
And the reason why I played football was because of
my best friend. His dad was the football coach, and
he's like, you know, try to you know, come join
our team, do all this. I'm like, I'll try, and
it turned out to be the best decision ever. But
I would say that coach Raymarchica, my best friend's dad,
was the first person to tell me, like, you have
what it takes, And to this day, I'm here now
(11:44):
because of that situation. So all thanks to him, and
you know, all the support and glory to God, because
I wouldn't be here without it. So that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I'm sure you guys still stay in ten, Yeah for sure.
That's how proud is.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
He of you. This is his favorite team too. Oh really,
that's my first coaching I got drafted to his favorite team,
so he was ecstatic. He was at the draft party,
and man, the smile on his face was in the
same Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Look at god, that's awesome. Alfred who first told you
that you had what it took.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
I would say my big I mean my mom and dad.
Of course, with my big cousin. He was like, bro,
you can do it. Like and he was doing it
and saw his story and his journey, and I'm like, dang,
he could. If my big bro could do it, then
I could do it. So you know, calm that mountain
and here I am.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
That's awesome. And then you also have a cousin, right,
he's in the league. Yeah, really cool. So have you
guys connected.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Yeah, I've seen him when we play the Texans. Yeah,
it was crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
How was that?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
It was surreal? I mean I dreamed about moments like that.
I dreamed about playing against them one day and just
be on the same field. And the NFL is crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
And we fast forward and now you guys share a
d line. Mirrorm. Tell me about your first impression of
one another when you guys first met, same draft class,
same position group, you guys get to meeting and what
did you first think of each other?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
I feel like the story was told before but we
were in the airport when we were landing, and I like,
I see the super just giant human being across the airport.
I'm like, it's only one person that could be gotta
be out for it. It has to be off for it.
So we just look at each other. We start smiling.
We shake up and said it was good. But I
was like, bro, you you're a big person. You're huge.
(13:24):
But like that was that was the first time, man,
ever since there's been laughs and giggles and we'd be
get along great.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Oh that's so see what did you first think when
he came up to you?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Man, I just hired you, Craig God, funny, awesome, and yeah,
it's it's been. It's been amazing ever since.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
So like, look, who's this little guy? Welcome?
Speaker 1 (13:43):
All right? A lot of adjectives to describe y'all, but
if you had to describe each other in one word,
what would it be? And tell me why you chose
that word?
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Father, describe Alfred, it'll be turned. I feel like Alfred
is always geeked up and ready to go on the sidelines.
If you ever hear him, man, you would start crying
laugh because he just gets us going man, he always does.
He's turnt for sure.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Okay, c J. One word, what would you m?
Speaker 2 (14:07):
I'll have to just say, just energy. You know, energy
is always great. You know, it's never a dull moment
with him.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
So fun. You guys both got that turn energy, So
that room must be fun. Tell me about the D
line room and who are some of the personalities in
that group?
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Man, we got a whole bunch. I feel like the
D lineman is always the best personalities on the team.
But we got all types of different personality. We got,
you know, our vets, we got keV and Kevin Gibbings,
we got Kalia Davis, Jordan Elliott, they're all leadership top guys,
you know. They they definitely took us under their wing
and kind of helped us get to where we need
to be. But like their leadership roles, you know, that's
(14:44):
what they do. They they kind of keep us on
the right track. So that's what I always say with
their you know, with their personalities, and they also jokes.
Just man, Jordan Elliott, he's a joke sure too, man,
always make it a ton of jokes. So he always
got us laughing. But if you ever in those D
line meetings. You're here, we're always laughing.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Always, Alfred, what do you think of the group?
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Oh, you know, just picking backround off of him, just
like it's a bunch of different seasons and it makes
it like some good food, you know what I'm saying. Yeah, Yeah,
there's a bunch of a bunch of different personalities and
we just click and chrisk.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
He's cheffing it up all you guys. What was your
first impression of him and what to like being coached
by him?
Speaker 3 (15:19):
And my first time talking to I talked to him
at the UH at the combine, you know, pre draft stuff,
but like when I got drafted and he gave me
a FaceTime call, I could just see a person who's
passionate about the game. You know, he has a love
for the game. He's passionate about culture. He's passionate about
his players and just want them to be the best
they can possibly be. And that's that's that's the vibe
(15:40):
I always got from him. And you know, actually showing
up here, it was the same person. He's never changed.
He's always the same person every single day, And like
that's what you need as a coach, you know, you
can't have anybody in here that's you know, their their
mood changes depending on you know, what's going outside, what's
going on outside of life. And he's always the same person.
Every day's high energy, he's going to get us right.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
So yeah, that's one thing I know about christ Sarah
from just you know, watching you guys from the sideline
at practice or just going throughout the season, is that
he's always the same and so every day, regardless of it,
and always passionate, always always ready to go. Alfred went
to like being coached by Chris Man everything CJ said,
But I mean just passionate.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
You know, he wants to see us, to see you know,
he wants us to be the best, and you know
he's intense, so I mean, you know it's helping us,
you know, grow every day.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
So tell me about that first practice with him. What
was it like for you?
Speaker 2 (16:31):
I mean, I was I've never really had that like
intenseness like from individual to team, and I mean it
was eye opening. But I mean it made me want
to work harder. So I love it.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
That's awesome, really really cool. Now, CJ, is it true
that you'd want to get into sports media or broadcasting?
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Sure? I love it. I love talking, man, I love it.
I love the media stuff. I love broadcasting. You know,
I graduated with communications major and public speaking, so what
if and public speaking. So that's something I really wanted
to do, is get on broadcasting or do talk shows
and all this. So yeah, it's right up my alley.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Now, if you had to interview Alfred right now, what's
like the first question you would ask him?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Oh, the first question I would ask him is who's
his favorite teammate?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Alfred?
Speaker 3 (17:18):
M M.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
That's hard, I mean because I would have to say,
like to be long bro every time I'm with y'all,
but I'm so happy.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Yeah, the whole group. We can't name. Just one great question, CJ,
You're gonna be really good at this media step already. Know. Now,
if ten year old Alfred and CJ were to see
you guys right now, what do you think they would say?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
He wouldn't believe it. No, yeah, he wouldn't believe it.
He would not believe it. Man. I would just I
think he would say just how proud he is with
me because I came a long way, long journey, a
lot of long, hard nights, all the time, not being
able to see family, when I wanted to, and there's
a lot of sacrifice and dedication, and I know for
a fact he'll be proud. He'd be like, that's that's
(17:58):
the person I want to be.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
When I now ten year old Alfred say he's sitting
right here with us, what would he also think?
Speaker 2 (18:05):
He just be smile and happy like very you did
your thing. You know you're making dreams?
Speaker 1 (18:10):
No truth, Yeah, I love it now. That was part
one of my conversation with Alfred and CJ. Part two
is coming next week. We play a few fun games
and answer questions directly from the faithful, so don't forget
to subscribe to You've Got Mail on YouTube, sirius XM,
and your favorite podcast platform. Also follow the forty nine
ers on social media to have your question featured in
(18:31):
the next episode. That'll do it for today, and go Niners.
Well, welcome back to You've Got Mail, presented by Delta Dental.
I'm your forty nine Ers team reporter Brionna Janelle, and
in this episode, we're talking to some of your favorite
rookie d linemen, Alfred Collins and CJ. West. In this episode,
they talk all about their journeys to football and they
bring us into the forty nine Ers D line room.
Here's my conversation with Alfred and CJ. Hey beethe, welcome
to You Got Mail. I'm sitting down with Alfred Collins
(00:31):
in CJ. West right before Monday Night football. How are
y'all doing?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
That's great?
Speaker 1 (00:36):
Are y'all excited primetime again?
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
It should be fun. Now. I'm really excited to get
to know y'all a little bit more your personalities. What
brought you into football? You guys both started playing football
like around middle school, right seventh eighth grade. What do
you first remember about what you fell in love with
the game?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
H My first year was eighth grade, and I would
say that that was my first year really being in
like full competitive team sports and like actually getting a
chance to like win something. And I feel like my
greatest satisfaction on that from that was just winning something like,
you know, we did a long hard camp and you know,
(01:15):
practices and all these games and getting something at the
end of it made it really worth it, just you know,
just with my teammates and stuff. So that's kind of
why I fell in love with the game.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So your first season ever playing tackle football, you won
it all?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, we won the Pop Warner Championship or whatever. Wow,
going down to Nationals in Daytona, Florida?
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Was that when it was down in Orlando?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Was in Daytona?
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Okay? Fun?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Oh yeah for whatever Pop Warner the league or whatever
we did ours was in Daytona.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
That's so cool, Alfred. You remember when your first memories
were playing the game?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
No, it was just when I fell in love with it.
It was, I would say, just like the camaraderie of
the boys, the grind stuff like that. I didn't take
it that serious, but it was just you know, it's
a processing. I loved it and it fell in love with.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
When you first started. Was it Pop Warner like CJ?
Or was it school and after school program?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So long story short. I had to stop playing because
breaking complaints about being on too big.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Did they put the eggs on your helmet.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Nah, I could only feel like receiver. But I stopped playing.
But I said, like around middle school and stuff like that,
I really fell in love with it.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah, because I have a little nephew. He plays pop Warner.
My little brother also played pop Warner growing up. And
it's really special seeing sort of the learning curve and
their confidence grow over time, because when you put these
little kids into tackle football, sometimes they're afraid to put
the pads on because no matter how strong you are
as a kid, it could be intimidating. Did you ever
(02:45):
have that learning curve where you were maybe like afraid
to hit and then you just first got it going.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Yeah, most definitely. My first time, like actually tackling somebody,
I was one hundred percent nerve, no idea what I
was doing. My first year playing football. Some of these
kids were bigger than me, and I wasn't always this
big giant get you know, I was. I was a
little more normal sized when I was younger. But yeah,
there's a lot of nerves going into that. But just
the repetitions and getting different opportunities to continue to you know,
(03:11):
build that growth and you know, get opportunities to hit
more and more. You get you kind of get used
to it.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
So Alfred, were you afraid or you knew from the
moment you put the pads on?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, it's like pop wonder. We played this team, we
played up and I saw her playing. I was just scared,
I said, coach from hurt this one out cut. So
I've been scared before.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Then, what what did it take for you to knew
that you got it even at a young age.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Just the next game. I didn't go back in, but yeah,
just the next game and building that confidence.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
And I want to get to know more about your backgrounds,
where you guys are from. Tell me about your hometowns,
how Texas and Illinois shaped you into the people you
are today.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
There you go ahead, they see you know, I would
say Texas has, uh, you know, made tough, made a
lot of connections, you know, ups and downs, and that
shaped me into the person time today. So I mean,
I mean, I feel like in the weather and I
feel like, you know, everybody in Textas is tough because
(04:15):
like the stuff we go through, like and here here
is so nice every day. So I mean, yeah, that's
about it.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
You're Texas through and through because you ended up going
to Texas also how proud was your family because your
mom played at Texas. Did tell me about that?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, No, there was my last out of my top five.
There was my last pick, but it was the best
pick because I was able to stay home, be closed
they come to games. My mom went there, continue your legacy.
So it was all just a blessing.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
So I want to know, Yeah, are you and your
mom competitive? Yes, it's like the most random things you
guys are competitive over.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
I always have to say, Man, I have to say,
what are we competitive about? It's a lot of stuff.
I'm about to get back to you on that.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
You're good, Think about it. Think about it. CJ. Tell
me about your hometown and how it shaped from Chicago. Oh,
Chicago nice, the best.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
City in the world, the best in the world. Got
we got the best food, some of the best people,
the best views. It's just so much to do. Like
it's it's awesome. But yeah, like growing Chicago's Midwest area,
it gets real cold, you know, having them played football
and no seasons and the weather change and and all that.
It definitely makes you tougher. He kind of learned how
(05:31):
to adapt to situations around you or the weather and
not kind of let you don't let the weather change
how you play or you know, how you're feeling that day.
It doesn't really matter. You know, nobody really cares, so
what now what. It's kind of mentality we have. But
growing Chicago is awesome, man. It's it's just a big city,
real fast paced, and you know, growing up my high
(05:51):
school life was awesome. I went to Nazareth Academy, legendary school.
You know, we had a couple of NFL players and
now we got Julian Love for to See and JJ
McCarthy for the Vikings. So it's a legendary school and
I got some legendary people there, and it's just awesome.
You know, real brotherhood there.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
So shout out, shout out. That's really cool. Now, if
I read correctly, you also played rugby.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I did. I did do a little bit.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I'm playing rugby. How does it ever overlap with football?
If it does?
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Man, So I played rugby after playing football, So I'm like,
why not try it? Let's I'm just bored. Let's do
it totally different, not wearing no pads, no helmet. The
football is much more around. You got to toss it
to the side and stuff. You got scrums. Rugby was cool.
I tried it for a little bit. It wasn't really
my forte. I like to hit hard. You can't really
(06:41):
hit that hard in rugby because they don't you don't
have any protection, So I was a little more advancing
those hitting areas. Not a lot of rugby players actually
played football, so I was a little more aggressive than
they liked.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
So was it just like a one season stint or.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I maybe did like three games and it out. I was,
and I was it's not for me, like I tried it,
you know. That was that was you know, the least
I can at least try and say I tried it.
But yeah, I was.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Wasn't really fun thing something Well, one thing I know
about Texas and Chicago is the food is really good.
What's some of the best things when you go back
to your hometown, You're like, I can't wait to go
back and eat this thing?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Man, Uh Portillo's or if you never have Portillos, you
gotta go get you Italian beef extra dip. It's like
the sandwich they got cheese and peppers on it. It's fire.
It's like Chicago steak. If you ever go to Chicago,
you gotta try one. Portillo's is really good, or you
can try the old g spots like Johnny's had some
really good spots as well. But yeah, it's Italian beefs.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Ye, sure, Texas? Is it the barbecue or what is
it that?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yeah, it's for sure, it's for sure the barbecue. But
this place called Corbo Bobs. It's like Chipotle, but like, no,
it's not better. Yeah, every time I go back or
whenever I go back to Austin, I just know I'm
going to Bobs.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
So is it like where you could build your own Oh?
Speaker 2 (08:01):
No, like and they're like they're like not stingy, so
like they it's a very big.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
No.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
No high school, we get the full scoop. So tell me,
how do you build your perfect ball or a burrito?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
What is it?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
All? Right?
Speaker 2 (08:19):
My burrito order, it would be like chicken, rice or sausa.
What else? Probably double dubble chicken and then I'm adding
fish and.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Then double chicken, a fish, cheese.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Lettuce, sour cream, and then whatever sauce I'm in the
mood for.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
I don't know about fish, but that sounds fine.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
What kind of fish added? It's like it's like for
our fish.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
I mean that that's sounds good. That does sound good
fried fish. Yeah, like think about it, like fish tacos
are good. Yeah. But okay, So, as you've made your
transition over to California, is this the first time you've
been over to the West coast or do you have
any experience here?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Pretty much? I've been in Soca one time earlier in
my life, like in college. But North Calia it's my
first time up here. It's awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Well, what do you guys think?
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Man, the weathers, you can't beat it. You can't beat
the weather. So it's always sunny here. It's about sixty
five seventy five pretty much every day. The weather never
really changes.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
It rained.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Probably count on one hand how many times it's rain
since I've been here. But it's been It's been lovely.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
I know, it's that crazy. We are kind of tucked
away in the South Bay. But have you guys gotten
able to explore San Francisco maybe the East Bay? What
do you guys think?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Yeah, I've been up to SF a couple of times.
It's gorgeous, has some really nice views up there. They
got some some dope mountains. You got the bridges to
see you know, you always see those as a kid
on postcards and stuff, so I can see that in
the person.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Yeah, you get to see it now. We don't have
what is it called in Texas? The better Chipotle buu? Okay,
have you found a replace policeman or anything like? What's
your maybe go to food spot here in the Bay?
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Mmm?
Speaker 3 (10:05):
I would say the best food that I found so
far is Jackie's Place.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Jackie's Place Jackie fire Bands. If you're listening and you're
in the Bay area. They have a new location in
downtown San Jose and then they also have another one
to San Jose locations, but it's fire.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Have you been?
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's really good? What's your order at Jackie's Place? So
he knows what to order?
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Catfish every time, cheese and candy need that fire.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
They also have a really good banana putting you guys. The
desserts are fire also, Alfred, what's your spot here in
the Bay?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
I have to say Joey's. Joey's.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Oh yeah, nice, that's in row area.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
They got some steak up there.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
So fire okay, But so we got our food spots
in the Bay. We reminisced a little bit about home.
You guys told me about your experience playing Pop Warner
and getting really into the league. But you guys have
grown a ton since then. I want to know who
first told y'all that you had what it took to
make it to the NFL And did you believe it
at first?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Yeah? Funny because I didn't play football. I hated it before.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
You know.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
And the reason why I played football was because of
my best friend. His dad was the football coach, and
he's like, you know, try to you know, come join
our team, do all this. I'm like, I'll try, and
it turned out to be the best decision ever. But
I would say that coach Raymarchica, my best friend's dad,
was the first person to tell me, like, you have
what it takes, And to this day, I'm here now
(11:44):
because of that situation. So all thanks to him, and
you know, all the support and glory to God, because
I wouldn't be here without it. So that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I'm sure you guys still stay in ten, Yeah for sure.
That's how proud is.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
He of you. This is his favorite team too. Oh really,
that's my first coaching I got drafted to his favorite team,
so he was ecstatic. He was at the draft party,
and man, the smile on his face was in the
same Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Look at god, that's awesome. Alfred who first told you
that you had what it took.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
I would say my big I mean my mom and dad.
Of course, with my big cousin. He was like, bro,
you can do it. Like and he was doing it
and saw his story and his journey, and I'm like, dang,
he could. If my big bro could do it, then
I could do it. So you know, calm that mountain
and here I am.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
That's awesome. And then you also have a cousin, right,
he's in the league. Yeah, really cool. So have you
guys connected.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Yeah, I've seen him when we play the Texans. Yeah,
it was crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
How was that?
Speaker 2 (12:38):
It was surreal? I mean I dreamed about moments like that.
I dreamed about playing against them one day and just
be on the same field. And the NFL is crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
And we fast forward and now you guys share a
d line. Mirrorm. Tell me about your first impression of
one another when you guys first met, same draft class,
same position group, you guys get to meeting and what
did you first think of each other?
Speaker 3 (13:02):
I feel like the story was told before but we
were in the airport when we were landing, and I like,
I see the super just giant human being across the airport.
I'm like, it's only one person that could be gotta
be out for it. It has to be off for it.
So we just look at each other. We start smiling.
We shake up and said it was good. But I
was like, bro, you you're a big person. You're huge.
(13:24):
But like that was that was the first time, man,
ever since there's been laughs and giggles and we'd be
get along great.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Oh that's so see what did you first think when
he came up to you?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Man, I just hired you, Craig God, funny, awesome, and yeah,
it's it's been. It's been amazing ever since.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
So like, look, who's this little guy? Welcome?
Speaker 1 (13:43):
All right? A lot of adjectives to describe y'all, but
if you had to describe each other in one word,
what would it be? And tell me why you chose
that word?
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Father, describe Alfred, it'll be turned. I feel like Alfred
is always geeked up and ready to go on the sidelines.
If you ever hear him, man, you would start crying
laugh because he just gets us going man, he always does.
He's turnt for sure.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Okay, c J. One word, what would you m?
Speaker 2 (14:07):
I'll have to just say, just energy. You know, energy
is always great. You know, it's never a dull moment
with him.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
So fun. You guys both got that turn energy, So
that room must be fun. Tell me about the D
line room and who are some of the personalities in
that group?
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Man, we got a whole bunch. I feel like the
D lineman is always the best personalities on the team.
But we got all types of different personality. We got,
you know, our vets, we got keV and Kevin Gibbings,
we got Kalia Davis, Jordan Elliott, they're all leadership top guys,
you know. They they definitely took us under their wing
and kind of helped us get to where we need
to be. But like their leadership roles, you know, that's
(14:44):
what they do. They they kind of keep us on
the right track. So that's what I always say with
their you know, with their personalities, and they also jokes.
Just man, Jordan Elliott, he's a joke sure too, man,
always make it a ton of jokes. So he always
got us laughing. But if you ever in those D
line meetings. You're here, we're always laughing.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Always, Alfred, what do you think of the group?
Speaker 2 (15:01):
Oh, you know, just picking backround off of him, just
like it's a bunch of different seasons and it makes
it like some good food, you know what I'm saying. Yeah, Yeah,
there's a bunch of a bunch of different personalities and
we just click and chrisk.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
He's cheffing it up all you guys. What was your
first impression of him and what to like being coached
by him?
Speaker 3 (15:19):
And my first time talking to I talked to him
at the UH at the combine, you know, pre draft stuff,
but like when I got drafted and he gave me
a FaceTime call, I could just see a person who's
passionate about the game. You know, he has a love
for the game. He's passionate about culture. He's passionate about
his players and just want them to be the best
they can possibly be. And that's that's that's the vibe
(15:40):
I always got from him. And you know, actually showing
up here, it was the same person. He's never changed.
He's always the same person every single day, And like
that's what you need as a coach, you know, you
can't have anybody in here that's you know, their their
mood changes depending on you know, what's going outside, what's
going on outside of life. And he's always the same person.
Every day's high energy, he's going to get us right.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
So yeah, that's one thing I know about christ Sarah
from just you know, watching you guys from the sideline
at practice or just going throughout the season, is that
he's always the same and so every day, regardless of it,
and always passionate, always always ready to go. Alfred went
to like being coached by Chris Man everything CJ said,
But I mean just passionate.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
You know, he wants to see us, to see you know,
he wants us to be the best, and you know
he's intense, so I mean, you know it's helping us,
you know, grow every day.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
So tell me about that first practice with him. What
was it like for you?
Speaker 2 (16:31):
I mean, I was I've never really had that like
intenseness like from individual to team, and I mean it
was eye opening. But I mean it made me want
to work harder. So I love it.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
That's awesome, really really cool. Now, CJ, is it true
that you'd want to get into sports media or broadcasting?
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Sure? I love it. I love talking, man, I love it.
I love the media stuff. I love broadcasting. You know,
I graduated with communications major and public speaking, so what
if and public speaking. So that's something I really wanted
to do, is get on broadcasting or do talk shows
and all this. So yeah, it's right up my alley.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Now, if you had to interview Alfred right now, what's
like the first question you would ask him?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Oh, the first question I would ask him is who's
his favorite teammate?
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Alfred?
Speaker 3 (17:18):
M M.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
That's hard, I mean because I would have to say,
like to be long bro every time I'm with y'all,
but I'm so happy.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Yeah, the whole group. We can't name. Just one great question, CJ,
You're gonna be really good at this media step already. Know. Now,
if ten year old Alfred and CJ were to see
you guys right now, what do you think they would say?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
He wouldn't believe it. No, yeah, he wouldn't believe it.
He would not believe it. Man. I would just I
think he would say just how proud he is with
me because I came a long way, long journey, a
lot of long, hard nights, all the time, not being
able to see family, when I wanted to, and there's
a lot of sacrifice and dedication, and I know for
a fact he'll be proud. He'd be like, that's that's
(17:58):
the person I want to be.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
When I now ten year old Alfred say he's sitting
right here with us, what would he also think?
Speaker 2 (18:05):
He just be smile and happy like very you did
your thing. You know you're making dreams?
Speaker 1 (18:10):
No truth, Yeah, I love it now. That was part
one of my conversation with Alfred and CJ. Part two
is coming next week. We play a few fun games
and answer questions directly from the faithful, so don't forget
to subscribe to You've Got Mail on YouTube, sirius XM,
and your favorite podcast platform. Also follow the forty nine
ers on social media to have your question featured in
(18:31):
the next episode. That'll do it for today, and go Niners.
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