Sports

Newcomer Berry ready for more

• Wildcats beat writer Colin Chmielewski sits down this week with receiver P.J. Berry after his four-TD debut Saturday.

Q: What’s your hometown? Where do you live in the offseason?

A: Richmond, Virginia.

Q: You do anything other than football?

A: I teach sixth through eighth grade. Physical education.

Q: How long have you been doing that?

A: This was my first year actually.

Q: What do you like about teaching?

A: I guess the summers off (laughs).

Q: So is that why you started your season late? (Berry joined the Wildcats at the beginning of July).

A: Exactly, because I was teaching. I knew (coach Derek) Stingley. I played for him in Macon last year. I told him, ‘Coach, if I come it’s gotta be after the school year.’

Q: How old are you now?

A: 24.

Q: So is teaching what you’re looking to do with the rest of your career?

A: Of course, I’m going to play football for the rest of my career, but I got my degree (from Virginia State) in education, so that’s why I had to do that. Of course, everybody wants to play football.

Q: Favorite movies?

A: I like “Varsity Blues”, “The Program”. Basically sports movies, I guess.

Q: Favorite type of food?

A: Steak.

Q: What are you listening to right now in your CD player?

A: Lil’ Wayne and Jay-Z. Jay-Z is my favorite rapper. Wayne’s my second favorite.

Q: Any idols growing up?

A: My mom, my dad and Deion Sanders. His charisma, his swagger he had. When I played defense, I was the type of player, I really wasn’t going to hit anybody, but I covered it all (laughs). Being on offense, I just love the swagger that comes with being a receiver.

Q: What did you play in college?

A: Receiver.

Q: You also played defensive back in high school?

A: Yeah, in high school. Everybody did in high school. But when I got to college, I knew I wasn’t going to play defensive back because I like to score and make people look stupid (laughs).

Q: How’d you end up at Virginia State? What other schools were you looking at?

A: Actually, University of Virginia, that’s where I was going. I gave a verbal commitment to go there. But (coach) George Walsh left and Al Groh came in. Little stipulations happened there, so I had to pick another school. Went to Bridgewater College first because it was so late. I went to Bridgewater and then transferred to Virginia State.

Q: Any athletes you like to watch now?

A: T.O. I love T.O. I guess it’s that my teammates are like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know you could do stuff like that.’ I’m quiet in the locker room, but once you put those pads on, it’s a whole different story. So, coming up as a receiver, I like T.O. and Chad Johnson.

Q: Has it been hard getting into the season this late?

A: It’s hard not playing. Knowing I can play, and I can contribute to the team, but I have to sit out. That was hard. But I understand why. We were winning. I just had to wait my turn. Unfortunately, (Chavis McCollister and Scott Cloman) got hurt, but I was able to show I can play. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. They’ll be back next week. What happens, happens.

Q: What was it like to have a game like that (4 TDs against Alabama)?

A: It’s bittersweet, because we lost. I hoped we could have got that victory. Still might have a chance a home playoff game; don’t know yet. It was a great experience, just to finally show my coaches, my teammates what I could do. Practice is one thing. Games are another. It just showed everybody, ‘I can do this.’ I’m not just here for whatever. An experience like that as a first game is really tremendous.

Q: What’s your best sports accomplishment?

A: Two things. The first is being an All-American (kick returner) in college. Not many people get that. Not a .Com All-American, but an official AFCA All-American. That was one of the goals I had going into college. Then, playing professional football. Actually scoring a touchdown in a professional game.

Q: What’s your goal for this season?

A: To win a championship. I’m here. Everybody’s here. We’re not here just to play. We wanna win. To bring the city of Albany a championship.

Q: What’s are your goals in the bigger picture of your career?

A: If we’re not here to go the NFL, then why are we here? That’s everybody’s goal. You grow up watching these stars play. Why would you not want to be there? Of course, I want to go to the NFL. And if it happens, great. If I don’t, I had a good run. Or (the AFL). That’s all of our goals. We’re not just here to stay in arena2.

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