November 17, 2023 • 17 mins
In this episode of the Packers POV podcast, guard Jon Runyan plays a round of Final Jeopardy, details some of his favorite hobbies and shares how he wants to leave his mark.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hello, and welcome to Packers POV, a podcast that aims
to shine a light on the human behind the helmet.
I'm your host, Taylor Rodgers, and we are here inside
historic Lambeau Field. Today's guest was a two time All
Big Ten tackle for the Michigan Wolverines, honored twice with
the Hugh H. Raider Award, given to the team's best
offensive lineman. Since entering the NFL in twenty twenty, he's
(00:29):
played in every single game for the Green Bay Packers.
Introducing guard John Runyon. How's it going, John.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm doing well, Taylor, Thanks for having me on here.
I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Same here man, happy to finally get a chance to
talk to you. Now, how's the off season been for you.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
It's been real good. I've had time to you know,
get away, you know, do stuff that I really like
to do. Obviously, training, I train in a facility in
South Jersey with some of the guys around the league.
And we're at Lane Johnson's house. He's a right tackle
for the Eagles. He's got a full gym set up
in a little barn in the back of his house.
(01:04):
He's got full recovery room, training room. You know cardio equipment.
He's got a nice sit up there. We got a
bunch of guys that rotate through there around the league.
We got some college kids that come through too. It's
kind of been my hometown too, so just right around
the corner. And I couldn't think of like a better
little step that happened in the off season.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
That's really cool. And if I'm not mistaken, this is
a place you've been going now for a few years
since COVID.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Really yeah, I started training there right after I got
done with you know, like the Shrine Bowl, all that
stuff leading up to the draft since twenty twenty. And
I was really lucky during COVID to have had that
gym available from him because a lot of stuff everywhere,
you know, was shut down, and you know, we were
still able to get our work in and like a
really nice facility and everything like that, and just you know,
(01:47):
the camaraderie with all the guys that are in and
out there all the time. The vibes are always really high,
and we're all pushing each other and getting a lot
of good work in. And there's a lot of alignment
there too, so we're able to you know, lean on
each other and compete, and it's been really awesome having
that gym to go to.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That's some elite company to train with for sure, out
of the Eagles. And that's nothing new with your dad
being an offensive lineman for the Eagles. He actually played
fourteen seasons, was a Pro bowler for the Eagles on
the O line. You're now on your fourth season, but
you've been around this game now your entire life.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, ever since I can remember growing up, I've been
going to football games every Sunday. I vividly remember, you know,
going to games at Lincoln Financial back in two thousand
and four, two thousand and five. That's why I really
started remembering that, and just like the giddy sense I
would get in my stomach, like as I knew it
was Sunday morning and we're going to the game to
go watch my dad playing. Those Eagles teams my dad
(02:42):
was on, they went to like four or five NMC championships,
like I'm pretty sure, almost all in a row, and
it was just unbelievable. And that's really kind of where
I fell in love with football, you know, going to
that stadium, just seeing how good they were, the crowd
react and you know me just like wanting to emulate
that and being that someday, and I'd say pretty much
worked my whole life to get to this point, and uh,
(03:03):
it's a you know, there's still a lot more to do,
but you know, it's really awesome looking back on that.
This is one goal that I wanted accomplish my whole
life is getting to this point. Now it's just got
to do what am I going to do from here?
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Yeah, and you've really followed in your father's footsteps in
that way. He also went to University of Michigan, played
on the offensive line in the NFL. But for you,
is there a piece of advice that he's given you
that you've sort of held on to to this point? Now, Yeah,
he don't.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
He'd always give me a little tidbits here and there.
But just one thing that he instilled me from a
young age was, you know, always having a strong work ethic,
you know, being the hardest worker in the room, and
you know, just always representing yourself in the way that
you know you want people to see you. And that's
on the field and off the field. And you know,
I try to do that the best I can. I do. Think,
like the work ethic I saw from him, not just
(03:49):
like on the field, but just how he was every day,
like around the house. Weren't around in public, and when
I saw him like getting his workouts in and stuff
like that, that's something that I was able to see
and I could kind of capture that and I kind
of emulate it, and you know, I was able to
get like a head start. Like I remember being in
high school and my dad was kind of on the
coaching staff too, and he was able to help me
(04:11):
out a lot. And you had a really good high
school team and that just kind of propelled me into college.
And I had an awesome coaching staff in college. And
my dad has helped me so much. But my coaches
through high school in college I prepared me so much
to get to this point. I really wouldn't be here
without them.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
So you got a chance this past season to go
back to where it all started, playing against the Philadelphia
Eagles as a Packer on Sunday Night football in front
of some of the people that you're speaking about. What
was that experience like for you?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
It was really surreal. Honestly, That's been something I wanted
to do my whole life. I remember being a little
kid sitting in my room my dad playing on Sunday
Night Football, probably against the New York Giants, and seeing
them introduce the starting lineups how they do on Sunday
Night Football all the time, and seeing my dad on there,
and I always said that was gonna be me one day.
So I get to that moment playing the Eagles on
Sunday Night Football on my dad's birthday. My dad's on
(05:00):
the field like a pregame and halftime because they had
some Eagles Hall of Fame induction not for him, but
for one of his former teammates too, and probably had
like forty or fifty friends that came to the game too,
And just like knowing that like younger me would be
like watching that game, seeing like the you know, the
starting lineups on Sunday Night Football, the Eagles versus Packers.
(05:21):
It was just something that was kind of surreal, and
that was really like one of the most fun games
that I've ever had playing in the league and something
I'll really cherished for a long time.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
That's really special. And it doesn't work out like that
usually when they're like trying to follow your father's footsteps.
Like it's really tricky, especially what you've set out to do.
But I do have one story, if it's okay, can
I share from that phillid road trip.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
So I'm on the bus headed to the stadium for
that Sunday night football game, and I'm sitting next to
one of the equipment staff members and I just happened
to ask him, Hey, did you get a cheese steak?
And he goes, yes, the whole equipment staff got him
because John Runyon got him for us.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah. Yeah, everybody's coming to Philly. I'm from the area.
I went to high school in Philly. I live in
like the kind of the suburbs now out in PA
And I've been living in Philly since twenty twenty in
the off season. And this place where I go and
get my haircut right next to it was voted like
one of the best cheese steaks in Philadelphia. So every
time I go get a haircut, I just call over
(06:22):
and they had me a cheese steak. It's an Angelo's
down there in South Philly, and I knew I wanted
to do something for everybody, because you know, we have
a late night game in Philly. Guys could have some
customs cheese steaks. They could have like two if they
wanted to, So I made a call ahead of time
and I told them that, you know, I wanted. I
think I ordered eighty cheese steaks, ordered forty with onions
(06:43):
and forty without onions, And I told Adam, our nutrition
is to hold me like one. But I think they're
all taken up. But I can go back anytime I
get into the one. I'm glad everybody else was able
to eat them, and everybody said they love them, and
that's just kind of whatever they wanted. And I think
everybody came away knowing they're like, oh, you know, Philly's
have some really good g sis and Angelo's is one
of my favorite places of all time, and they're one
(07:05):
of those places. As soon as they sell out of
their product, they're done, they're closed. So it's a pretty
pretty hard to get in there. And I appreciate them
over there for helping me make everybody's a night.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
That's really cool. I mean, other than the fact that
you didn't get one, but everything else about that story
is amazing. And it also speaks to what you were
talking about with your dad with the off the field
stuff too, and doing it the right way. Angelo's was
actually the place that we ended up going, and it's phenomenal.
Oh yeah, Like the integrity of the sandwich is really strong.
It's not one of these that falls apart.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Oh my god, the breading on it, and down to
the Cooper Sharp cheese and the way they seison the steak.
It's just all around the phenomenal experience. Recommended for everybody
that travels in Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Well, we loved it too, and that's the place I'll
go when I get back there next Definitely, thanks for
the recommendation. Have you gotten into some food here in Wisconsin?
Speaker 2 (07:53):
I have a little bit. One of my favorite restaurants
around here is definitely Blue down Into Pier And if
I'm really one of some wings, Pizza Rustique is a
no brainer. They got some of the best pizza bar
food in this area. And Angeline is another one of
my favorite plays kind of an Italian restaurant. There's really
some really nice, good place run. You can get almost
any type of food you want. And my favorite Mexican
(08:14):
restaurant is Maldonado's kind of like a hidden little gym.
It's like a little shack. They have some of the
best Mexican food I think I've had and then I
always got to get a Mandarin Harito's to flush it down.
Kind of reminds me of, you know, back when I
was being a kid too. I got a family that
lived in Houston, Texas, and we go to Mexican restaurants
all the time when we were down there, and that
Mandarin Harrito's is always a stable for me at those
(08:35):
Mexican restaurants, so kind of reminds me of that. And
the food also tastes really good, so it's a it's
a kind of a double hit.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's really cool. A little connection to home in Houston. Yeah,
and any hobbies that you're into here in Wisconsin.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Me and my buddies, we like to go play golf
a lot. We also like to go to the range
sometimes and you know, shoot some pistols. You know, we're
safe while we're doing and everything. It's a good time
of a golf Definitely Number one, especially this offseason. We
play all the courses all over Green Bay. We went
down to Cohler playing on the Irish course down there,
and those unbelievable. Definitely one of the best golf courses
in America. Definitely those two things. Otherwise, I kind of
(09:09):
when we're during the season, I kind of try to
take everything slow and you know, focus on my recovery
and relaxing. But we got some times in the off
season I like to do those two things.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Golf is really mellow, except maybe when you're playing the
Irish course. That might be the toughest test at golf
I've found in the Greater Wisconsin area definitely.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Luckily, I was playing in a scramble and we ended
up winning, so you know, I did my part. I
was hitting some good puts. The key to my game
is my short game, working on the driver, and the
irons have always been you know, solid, kind of hit
or miss every now and then, but playing the Irish
courses in an amazing time.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Now. One more hobby that I know goes back a
little bit for you is an interest in Jeopardy. And
you've taken Latin classes. So my question to you is,
would you be up for a little final Jeopardy Word
Origins Edition Word Origins?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
That does sound tough? I would be down hopefully. I
don't embrass myself, but yes, I have always loved Jeopardy.
I started watching it back in college in about twenty eighteen.
I don't really know what it was. I think it
was Martis Austrebek and just the way that he kind
of controlled the show for some reason. Kind of film.
I love with it. I studied Latin in high school
for three years. I studied in college for two. I
(10:18):
don't claim to be efficient at it, but yeah, Jeopardy
every time it comes on. It comes on here at
six o'clock in Central time, and you can tell six
o'clock cent a time. I'm going to have that channel
on Fox and Jeopardy is going to be on.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
That's great. So this is a final Jeopardy questions. So
these are really tough. But I think because of that
we can do a multiple choice format. So you have
a few options and it might play to some of
your word expertise. It goes back, I gotcha.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Hopefully I don't embrass myself as go.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
From the Greek for ring, the first ones were built
by the Romans, including one that can hold two hundred
and fifty thousand a amphitheater, b arena c circus.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Two hundred and fifty thousand. That's got to be a circus. Yeah,
that's all done.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
That's accurate. Yeah, I would have definitely gone with one
of the first two.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
I mean, they're trying to trick you with the the arena,
but two hundred fifty thousand, that's Circus Maximus type stuff right.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
There, exactly. Actually, that's the derivative. Yeah, that's what the
host said. Okay, we're on. Blackfooted and black browed are
two species of the seabird whose name was influenced for
the Latin word for white A cormor rant B albatross c. Pelican.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
I do forget the Latin word for white, but my
best guess would be albatross.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Correct.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
I had a little feel about that one. I wasn't
sure you.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Nailed it, so here we go. Originally, this three word
phrase referred to when a doctor or apothecary substituted one
medicine for another A quid pro quo B tip for
tab see visa v visa v quid pro quol and
I'll take two out of three though, well done, appreciate it,
thank you, that's really well done. Those are as I
(12:09):
mentioned final jeopardy questions.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
I always get excited when I get a final final
Jeopardy question. I probably get one like once every ten
days and it's always a good feeling when you're able
to get one, but they come very rarely.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
That's really cool. That's a neat hobby. Now, obviously your
main hobby is football. Yeah, on game day, do you
have a go to routine?
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I do. I try to get here about three and
a half hours before kickoff, and I'll take that first
thirty minutes kind of to get here, get some caffeine,
and me eat my food, let it digest. And once
I have three hour mark hits, I start getting around moving,
whether I'm in like the cold tubs or just you know,
stretching around the floor, getting my body ready and activated.
(12:49):
And I always go out to the field about two
hours before kickoff, and I'm out there usually for about
fifteen minutes, and you kind of get your mind ready
and slowly build towards that kickoff. And just something that
I've stuck to and has treated me really well.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
I feel like that's really cool. So you've got a
rhythm when it comes to a game day. What's your
communication like with your family leading up to the game
or on the backside that stands out to you?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yeah, you know, leading on to the game day, I
always get text from, you know, my dad, my mom,
my sisters, my grandparents, my girlfriend. You know, they all
come in kind of at different times, some of them
pretty usually before the game. My grandpa usually text me
after the game. Obviously, most of my friends text me
after the game too, but I think most everybody knows,
like once it's a couple hours before kickoff, like I'm
(13:38):
kind of locked in on that point, I really. I mean,
I kind of have to be on my phone, you know,
because I kind of like to listen to music and
when I'm in the locker room, sitting my locker stretching.
But I get text from people before and after. But
try not to miss around too much on that. Get
your mind focus on other things. Just kind of focus
on the game at that point.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
What might you hear from your granddad?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
My grand dad's always texted me. He usually text me
after the game. He's always telling me, you know, good
win a grandson, like love watching you out there, look
like you're having fun, trying to make it out to
a game soon. They live in Michigan, kind of northern Michigan,
and he always ends everything with chow, kind of his
little trademark. It's funny. And he and my grandma watch
(14:20):
every game together up in Michigan, and it's kind of
really nice to know that, you know, they're doing that
and they're supporting me, and it's kind of a really
good feeling, especially after a whin when he sends me
that text.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
And he might be a guy that you got your
work ethic from. Was he an auto worker back in
the day, Yeah, he was.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
He worked for GM in Flint, Michigan. I think it
was for somewhere around twenty years. And I think that's
really where my dad and his brothers, you know, got
their work ethic, kind of that people always talk about
kind of just like that Midwest like kind of grind
and they don't care like they're just gonna keep working.
They're gonna outwork you. And my dad fed off that
from his father, and my dad kind of instilled that
(14:59):
in me, and that's something that I feel like it's
not going to change with me. So I think the
work ethic definitely is credited to him, because they went
through some tough times down there in Flint, Michigan, but
they made it out and their family's a lot stronger
because of it. And it's really all thanks to him
because he was you know, put in the hours, you know,
the hard times, and didn't get much to show for it,
(15:21):
but he made it work and he got his family
through it. So it's kind of really inspiring.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Sounds like a really impressive man.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Yes, So his son then would be your dad. Yeah,
your dad had this to say about you. You have
to build your own legacy. I am who I am,
but with your abilities and your talents, you have an
opportunity to surpass me. What do you want your legacy
to be?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Yeah? Building off with my dad. My dad he set
himself up with, you know, pretty hard legacy to match.
He went to two Super Bowls. He was a pro bowler,
all pro like fourteen years. And you think about that,
like how how can I like measure up to that?
But I think, you know, we're kind of we're different people.
(16:06):
I've been battling it since high school. High school, I'd
say I was kind of like undersized for like a
typical like D one recruit, and people kind of you know,
didn't like really look at me and you know for
D one offers and stuff like that. But my coach
would always tell me, you know, you're different people like
he's not his father, he's his own person. And for me,
(16:26):
I feel like I've been building my legacy since I
was in high school. Kind of just like the style
of play, the way I play. I like to play smart,
I like to play hard. I really enjoy being around
my teammates. And the legacy want to leave is just
like a guy who's going to show up. He's going
to put all up his work in and he was
going to be there for his his friends and his teammates,
and you know, whatever happened on the field, just know that,
(16:49):
like he was in the locker room and he was
there fighting for everybody and whatever comes with that, Like
I'm fine with. But I'd always want to be like
a really good teammate and be kind of an example.
I'm not really about a person. I'm more a lead
by example type person, So I always make sure I'm
kind of doing the right thing when it comes to that.
If I'm able to do that, then I think my
legacy will kind of take care of itself.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Well, you're on your way, and that's a beautiful way
to end it.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Thank you so much, John for taking the time. Really
appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Oh yeah, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It's fun and thank you for listening to Packers POV.
To learn more about what John is doing off the field,
visit his instagram, John Underscore, Run One, take care and
see you next time.
Hello, and welcome to Packers POV, a podcast that aims
to shine a light on the human behind the helmet.
I'm your host, Taylor Rodgers, and we are here inside
historic Lambeau Field. Today's guest was a two time All
Big Ten tackle for the Michigan Wolverines, honored twice with
the Hugh H. Raider Award, given to the team's best
offensive lineman. Since entering the NFL in twenty twenty, he's
(00:29):
played in every single game for the Green Bay Packers.
Introducing guard John Runyon. How's it going, John.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm doing well, Taylor, Thanks for having me on here.
I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Same here man, happy to finally get a chance to
talk to you. Now, how's the off season been for you.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
It's been real good. I've had time to you know,
get away, you know, do stuff that I really like
to do. Obviously, training, I train in a facility in
South Jersey with some of the guys around the league.
And we're at Lane Johnson's house. He's a right tackle
for the Eagles. He's got a full gym set up
in a little barn in the back of his house.
(01:04):
He's got full recovery room, training room. You know cardio equipment.
He's got a nice sit up there. We got a
bunch of guys that rotate through there around the league.
We got some college kids that come through too. It's
kind of been my hometown too, so just right around
the corner. And I couldn't think of like a better
little step that happened in the off season.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
That's really cool. And if I'm not mistaken, this is
a place you've been going now for a few years
since COVID.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Really yeah, I started training there right after I got
done with you know, like the Shrine Bowl, all that
stuff leading up to the draft since twenty twenty. And
I was really lucky during COVID to have had that
gym available from him because a lot of stuff everywhere,
you know, was shut down, and you know, we were
still able to get our work in and like a
really nice facility and everything like that, and just you know,
(01:47):
the camaraderie with all the guys that are in and
out there all the time. The vibes are always really high,
and we're all pushing each other and getting a lot
of good work in. And there's a lot of alignment
there too, so we're able to you know, lean on
each other and compete, and it's been really awesome having
that gym to go to.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That's some elite company to train with for sure, out
of the Eagles. And that's nothing new with your dad
being an offensive lineman for the Eagles. He actually played
fourteen seasons, was a Pro bowler for the Eagles on
the O line. You're now on your fourth season, but
you've been around this game now your entire life.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, ever since I can remember growing up, I've been
going to football games every Sunday. I vividly remember, you know,
going to games at Lincoln Financial back in two thousand
and four, two thousand and five. That's why I really
started remembering that, and just like the giddy sense I
would get in my stomach, like as I knew it
was Sunday morning and we're going to the game to
go watch my dad playing. Those Eagles teams my dad
(02:42):
was on, they went to like four or five NMC championships,
like I'm pretty sure, almost all in a row, and
it was just unbelievable. And that's really kind of where
I fell in love with football, you know, going to
that stadium, just seeing how good they were, the crowd
react and you know me just like wanting to emulate
that and being that someday, and I'd say pretty much
worked my whole life to get to this point, and uh,
(03:03):
it's a you know, there's still a lot more to do,
but you know, it's really awesome looking back on that.
This is one goal that I wanted accomplish my whole
life is getting to this point. Now it's just got
to do what am I going to do from here?
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Yeah, and you've really followed in your father's footsteps in
that way. He also went to University of Michigan, played
on the offensive line in the NFL. But for you,
is there a piece of advice that he's given you
that you've sort of held on to to this point? Now, Yeah,
he don't.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
He'd always give me a little tidbits here and there.
But just one thing that he instilled me from a
young age was, you know, always having a strong work ethic,
you know, being the hardest worker in the room, and
you know, just always representing yourself in the way that
you know you want people to see you. And that's
on the field and off the field. And you know,
I try to do that the best I can. I do. Think,
like the work ethic I saw from him, not just
(03:49):
like on the field, but just how he was every day,
like around the house. Weren't around in public, and when
I saw him like getting his workouts in and stuff
like that, that's something that I was able to see
and I could kind of capture that and I kind
of emulate it, and you know, I was able to
get like a head start. Like I remember being in
high school and my dad was kind of on the
coaching staff too, and he was able to help me
(04:11):
out a lot. And you had a really good high
school team and that just kind of propelled me into college.
And I had an awesome coaching staff in college. And
my dad has helped me so much. But my coaches
through high school in college I prepared me so much
to get to this point. I really wouldn't be here
without them.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
So you got a chance this past season to go
back to where it all started, playing against the Philadelphia
Eagles as a Packer on Sunday Night football in front
of some of the people that you're speaking about. What
was that experience like for you?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
It was really surreal. Honestly, That's been something I wanted
to do my whole life. I remember being a little
kid sitting in my room my dad playing on Sunday
Night Football, probably against the New York Giants, and seeing
them introduce the starting lineups how they do on Sunday
Night Football all the time, and seeing my dad on there,
and I always said that was gonna be me one day.
So I get to that moment playing the Eagles on
Sunday Night Football on my dad's birthday. My dad's on
(05:00):
the field like a pregame and halftime because they had
some Eagles Hall of Fame induction not for him, but
for one of his former teammates too, and probably had
like forty or fifty friends that came to the game too,
And just like knowing that like younger me would be
like watching that game, seeing like the you know, the
starting lineups on Sunday Night Football, the Eagles versus Packers.
(05:21):
It was just something that was kind of surreal, and
that was really like one of the most fun games
that I've ever had playing in the league and something
I'll really cherished for a long time.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
That's really special. And it doesn't work out like that
usually when they're like trying to follow your father's footsteps.
Like it's really tricky, especially what you've set out to do.
But I do have one story, if it's okay, can
I share from that phillid road trip.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
So I'm on the bus headed to the stadium for
that Sunday night football game, and I'm sitting next to
one of the equipment staff members and I just happened
to ask him, Hey, did you get a cheese steak?
And he goes, yes, the whole equipment staff got him
because John Runyon got him for us.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah. Yeah, everybody's coming to Philly. I'm from the area.
I went to high school in Philly. I live in
like the kind of the suburbs now out in PA
And I've been living in Philly since twenty twenty in
the off season. And this place where I go and
get my haircut right next to it was voted like
one of the best cheese steaks in Philadelphia. So every
time I go get a haircut, I just call over
(06:22):
and they had me a cheese steak. It's an Angelo's
down there in South Philly, and I knew I wanted
to do something for everybody, because you know, we have
a late night game in Philly. Guys could have some
customs cheese steaks. They could have like two if they
wanted to, So I made a call ahead of time
and I told them that, you know, I wanted. I
think I ordered eighty cheese steaks, ordered forty with onions
(06:43):
and forty without onions, And I told Adam, our nutrition
is to hold me like one. But I think they're
all taken up. But I can go back anytime I
get into the one. I'm glad everybody else was able
to eat them, and everybody said they love them, and
that's just kind of whatever they wanted. And I think
everybody came away knowing they're like, oh, you know, Philly's
have some really good g sis and Angelo's is one
of my favorite places of all time, and they're one
(07:05):
of those places. As soon as they sell out of
their product, they're done, they're closed. So it's a pretty
pretty hard to get in there. And I appreciate them
over there for helping me make everybody's a night.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
That's really cool. I mean, other than the fact that
you didn't get one, but everything else about that story
is amazing. And it also speaks to what you were
talking about with your dad with the off the field
stuff too, and doing it the right way. Angelo's was
actually the place that we ended up going, and it's phenomenal.
Oh yeah, Like the integrity of the sandwich is really strong.
It's not one of these that falls apart.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Oh my god, the breading on it, and down to
the Cooper Sharp cheese and the way they seison the steak.
It's just all around the phenomenal experience. Recommended for everybody
that travels in Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Well, we loved it too, and that's the place I'll
go when I get back there next Definitely, thanks for
the recommendation. Have you gotten into some food here in Wisconsin?
Speaker 2 (07:53):
I have a little bit. One of my favorite restaurants
around here is definitely Blue down Into Pier And if
I'm really one of some wings, Pizza Rustique is a
no brainer. They got some of the best pizza bar
food in this area. And Angeline is another one of
my favorite plays kind of an Italian restaurant. There's really
some really nice, good place run. You can get almost
any type of food you want. And my favorite Mexican
(08:14):
restaurant is Maldonado's kind of like a hidden little gym.
It's like a little shack. They have some of the
best Mexican food I think I've had and then I
always got to get a Mandarin Harito's to flush it down.
Kind of reminds me of, you know, back when I
was being a kid too. I got a family that
lived in Houston, Texas, and we go to Mexican restaurants
all the time when we were down there, and that
Mandarin Harrito's is always a stable for me at those
(08:35):
Mexican restaurants, so kind of reminds me of that. And
the food also tastes really good, so it's a it's
a kind of a double hit.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's really cool. A little connection to home in Houston. Yeah,
and any hobbies that you're into here in Wisconsin.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Me and my buddies, we like to go play golf
a lot. We also like to go to the range
sometimes and you know, shoot some pistols. You know, we're
safe while we're doing and everything. It's a good time
of a golf Definitely Number one, especially this offseason. We
play all the courses all over Green Bay. We went
down to Cohler playing on the Irish course down there,
and those unbelievable. Definitely one of the best golf courses
in America. Definitely those two things. Otherwise, I kind of
(09:09):
when we're during the season, I kind of try to
take everything slow and you know, focus on my recovery
and relaxing. But we got some times in the off
season I like to do those two things.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Golf is really mellow, except maybe when you're playing the
Irish course. That might be the toughest test at golf
I've found in the Greater Wisconsin area definitely.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Luckily, I was playing in a scramble and we ended
up winning, so you know, I did my part. I
was hitting some good puts. The key to my game
is my short game, working on the driver, and the
irons have always been you know, solid, kind of hit
or miss every now and then, but playing the Irish
courses in an amazing time.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Now. One more hobby that I know goes back a
little bit for you is an interest in Jeopardy. And
you've taken Latin classes. So my question to you is,
would you be up for a little final Jeopardy Word
Origins Edition Word Origins?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
That does sound tough? I would be down hopefully. I
don't embrass myself, but yes, I have always loved Jeopardy.
I started watching it back in college in about twenty eighteen.
I don't really know what it was. I think it
was Martis Austrebek and just the way that he kind
of controlled the show for some reason. Kind of film.
I love with it. I studied Latin in high school
for three years. I studied in college for two. I
(10:18):
don't claim to be efficient at it, but yeah, Jeopardy
every time it comes on. It comes on here at
six o'clock in Central time, and you can tell six
o'clock cent a time. I'm going to have that channel
on Fox and Jeopardy is going to be on.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
That's great. So this is a final Jeopardy questions. So
these are really tough. But I think because of that
we can do a multiple choice format. So you have
a few options and it might play to some of
your word expertise. It goes back, I gotcha.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Hopefully I don't embrass myself as go.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
From the Greek for ring, the first ones were built
by the Romans, including one that can hold two hundred
and fifty thousand a amphitheater, b arena c circus.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Two hundred and fifty thousand. That's got to be a circus. Yeah,
that's all done.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
That's accurate. Yeah, I would have definitely gone with one
of the first two.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
I mean, they're trying to trick you with the the arena,
but two hundred fifty thousand, that's Circus Maximus type stuff right.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
There, exactly. Actually, that's the derivative. Yeah, that's what the
host said. Okay, we're on. Blackfooted and black browed are
two species of the seabird whose name was influenced for
the Latin word for white A cormor rant B albatross c. Pelican.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
I do forget the Latin word for white, but my
best guess would be albatross.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Correct.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
I had a little feel about that one. I wasn't
sure you.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Nailed it, so here we go. Originally, this three word
phrase referred to when a doctor or apothecary substituted one
medicine for another A quid pro quo B tip for
tab see visa v visa v quid pro quol and
I'll take two out of three though, well done, appreciate it,
thank you, that's really well done. Those are as I
(12:09):
mentioned final jeopardy questions.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
I always get excited when I get a final final
Jeopardy question. I probably get one like once every ten
days and it's always a good feeling when you're able
to get one, but they come very rarely.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
That's really cool. That's a neat hobby. Now, obviously your
main hobby is football. Yeah, on game day, do you
have a go to routine?
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I do. I try to get here about three and
a half hours before kickoff, and I'll take that first
thirty minutes kind of to get here, get some caffeine,
and me eat my food, let it digest. And once
I have three hour mark hits, I start getting around moving,
whether I'm in like the cold tubs or just you know,
stretching around the floor, getting my body ready and activated.
(12:49):
And I always go out to the field about two
hours before kickoff, and I'm out there usually for about
fifteen minutes, and you kind of get your mind ready
and slowly build towards that kickoff. And just something that
I've stuck to and has treated me really well.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
I feel like that's really cool. So you've got a
rhythm when it comes to a game day. What's your
communication like with your family leading up to the game
or on the backside that stands out to you?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Yeah, you know, leading on to the game day, I
always get text from, you know, my dad, my mom,
my sisters, my grandparents, my girlfriend. You know, they all
come in kind of at different times, some of them
pretty usually before the game. My grandpa usually text me
after the game. Obviously, most of my friends text me
after the game too, but I think most everybody knows,
like once it's a couple hours before kickoff, like I'm
(13:38):
kind of locked in on that point, I really. I mean,
I kind of have to be on my phone, you know,
because I kind of like to listen to music and
when I'm in the locker room, sitting my locker stretching.
But I get text from people before and after. But
try not to miss around too much on that. Get
your mind focus on other things. Just kind of focus
on the game at that point.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
What might you hear from your granddad?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
My grand dad's always texted me. He usually text me
after the game. He's always telling me, you know, good
win a grandson, like love watching you out there, look
like you're having fun, trying to make it out to
a game soon. They live in Michigan, kind of northern Michigan,
and he always ends everything with chow, kind of his
little trademark. It's funny. And he and my grandma watch
(14:20):
every game together up in Michigan, and it's kind of
really nice to know that, you know, they're doing that
and they're supporting me, and it's kind of a really
good feeling, especially after a whin when he sends me
that text.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
And he might be a guy that you got your
work ethic from. Was he an auto worker back in
the day, Yeah, he was.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
He worked for GM in Flint, Michigan. I think it
was for somewhere around twenty years. And I think that's
really where my dad and his brothers, you know, got
their work ethic, kind of that people always talk about
kind of just like that Midwest like kind of grind
and they don't care like they're just gonna keep working.
They're gonna outwork you. And my dad fed off that
from his father, and my dad kind of instilled that
(14:59):
in me, and that's something that I feel like it's
not going to change with me. So I think the
work ethic definitely is credited to him, because they went
through some tough times down there in Flint, Michigan, but
they made it out and their family's a lot stronger
because of it. And it's really all thanks to him
because he was you know, put in the hours, you know,
the hard times, and didn't get much to show for it,
(15:21):
but he made it work and he got his family
through it. So it's kind of really inspiring.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Sounds like a really impressive man.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Yes, So his son then would be your dad. Yeah,
your dad had this to say about you. You have
to build your own legacy. I am who I am,
but with your abilities and your talents, you have an
opportunity to surpass me. What do you want your legacy
to be?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Yeah? Building off with my dad. My dad he set
himself up with, you know, pretty hard legacy to match.
He went to two Super Bowls. He was a pro bowler,
all pro like fourteen years. And you think about that,
like how how can I like measure up to that?
But I think, you know, we're kind of we're different people.
(16:06):
I've been battling it since high school. High school, I'd
say I was kind of like undersized for like a
typical like D one recruit, and people kind of you know,
didn't like really look at me and you know for
D one offers and stuff like that. But my coach
would always tell me, you know, you're different people like
he's not his father, he's his own person. And for me,
(16:26):
I feel like I've been building my legacy since I
was in high school. Kind of just like the style
of play, the way I play. I like to play smart,
I like to play hard. I really enjoy being around
my teammates. And the legacy want to leave is just
like a guy who's going to show up. He's going
to put all up his work in and he was
going to be there for his his friends and his teammates,
and you know, whatever happened on the field, just know that,
(16:49):
like he was in the locker room and he was
there fighting for everybody and whatever comes with that, Like
I'm fine with. But I'd always want to be like
a really good teammate and be kind of an example.
I'm not really about a person. I'm more a lead
by example type person, So I always make sure I'm
kind of doing the right thing when it comes to that.
If I'm able to do that, then I think my
legacy will kind of take care of itself.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Well, you're on your way, and that's a beautiful way
to end it.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Thank you so much, John for taking the time. Really
appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Oh yeah, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It's fun and thank you for listening to Packers POV.
To learn more about what John is doing off the field,
visit his instagram, John Underscore, Run One, take care and
see you next time.
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