Sports Interviews

Mike Rucker Interview

Interview with former Carolina Panthers DE Mike Rucker for the July issue of Premier Players Magazine.

Ben Delanoy: So Mike, What have you been up to since retiring from the NFL?

Mike Rucker: We’ve stayed in the Charlotte area for 11 years. Just love it here.

Ben Delanoy: What are you involved in…work, sports, charity?

Mike Rucker: I run a real estate firm in Charlotte, Vision Group realty. We specialize in relocation real estate for professional athletes, entertainers, corporate execs, basically everyone. I am also the preseason color commentator for the Panthers. I still attend Panther community functions and appearances.

Ben Delanoy: What is Ruckus House?

Mike Rucker: The Ruckus House Foundation provides scholarships for students pursuing education and teaching as a career.

Ben Delanoy: Do you get any “off-time”? What do myou do in between all of that?

Mike Rucker: Spend time with my family! We enjoy all that North Carolina has to off….camping, fishing, boating.

Ben Delanoy: What do you miss most about playing football?

Mike Rucker: The comraderie amongst the guys and all of the practical jokes. Some of the same jokes we’d play in the lockerroom on eachother don’t go over well with the wife or the kids!

Ben Delanoy: What did you think about the Panthers draft?

Mike Rucker: They did a good job addressing needs. Didn’t do much with high profile free agents.

Ben Delanoy: What about the QB situation? I like the (Tony) Pike pick?

Mike Rucker: With Delhomme, Pike, and Claussen, they got some good QBs.

Ben Delanoy: Your thoughts on the Steve Smith situation?

Mike Rucker: People don’t realize he does a lot of work in the community. The flag football thing was just a freak accident…..it happens.

For more information on Mike or the Ruckus House, please visithttp://www.mikerucker.com/  .

+ Read more…

Dick Drago Interview

Interview with former Red Sox pitcher Dick Drago for content in the July issue of Premier Players Magazine.

Ben Delanoy: Why do you think pitchers are dominating batters all of the sudden with the rate of no-hitters and perfect games?

Dick Drago: I don’t know the answer to that one. Just goes that way sometimes. I had the chance to witness some of the best pitchers in the game do the same in Nolan Ryan and Dennis Eckersley. There is no explaining the timing for it.

Ben Delanoy: Don’t you think it’s odd that we’ve had, let’s call it (3) perfect games and several no-hitters?

Dick Drago: There are some good young pitchers nowadays, and there were some good plays made during those games to get them there.

Ben Delanoy: What pitchers do you see great things in now?

Dick Drago: Strasburg is just phenomenal to me. You’ve got Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Phil Hughes….Linecum got great stuff but a crazy delivery. Look at what Ryan as going on in Texas….getting guys to go deep into games.

Ben Delanoy: Pitching aside, what do you miss about the game? Tell me about the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry.

Dick Drago: Oh, that’s a great atmosphere to be in. You know you’re going into a hostile place….it’s intense. I was witness to the ‘78 playoff game with the Dent homer. It was just crazy. The fans and players both enjoy it. We all still get together at a reunion game in Scranton (Pa). All the guys from both teams are there.

+ Read more…