The Official Site of TJ Ford

Tue, Sep 30th 2008, 10:39

Q and A with TJ at media Day

While at the Pacer’s annual media day TJ answered questions on AM 1070 the Fan. The transcript follows:

MG: It’s finally media day, how do you feel?

TJ: Good man, it’s the best time of the year. The season is about to kick off…just getting all the attention and seeing how excited everybody is at the beginning…I’m just ready to get started.

MG: I’m going to do you a favor and not talk about your back during this interview…so let’s talk about your neck…(laugh)

Okay, just kidding…I know you’re feeling good, you’ve been healthy the last couple of years. I’m sure you’re just excited to get going. Preseason is right around the corner and I know you’re ready to go.

TJ: Yeah, I trained hard all summer for this upcoming season and now that it’s finally here I have to switch my focus mentally and prepare myself for what’s ahead because now there’s no breaks…there’s no vacation time…and no days off. But we’re excited, we’ve got a good team with a lot of good guys…and we’re looking forward to pushing each other and getting each other better.

MG: I know one thing that everybody is happy to see is the fact that over a short amount of time…the relationship that some of you guys have already established. There are a lot of new faces here…but you guys are already growing together.

TJ: That’s the part…when you’re with a team. Basically you’re a family because we’re going to spend most of our time with one another…more than with our own family during the course of the year. It’s good, I think everybody’s excited…I think everybody understands the task and what’s ahead of us. It’s a good opportunity for everybody, because there’s going to be an opportunity for guys to get minutes…and everyone’s coming in fighting for a job.

MG: Is there a different feeling for you being in a new place? You spent time in Toronto…and with being in a new (environment), is there an added sense of anxiety for you?

TJ: No, I think it’s just more of a focus. More focus, more intense, more alert. I just understand that we can shock a lot of people and we can surprise a lot of people…we just have to continue to build on our chemistry and continue to work hard and support one another and come out with the confidence and the swagger that we can beat anybody. And once we have that, it’ll take care of the rest.

MG: Last question, I know some of your family was affected by Hurricane Ike. How is the family doing…I know your heart is down there in Texas…how is everyone?

TJ: Everybody is doing great. I have a couple of family members who just got electricity within the last couple of days. But they’ve been able to maintain and go on with life. For us, everybody is still healthy and that’s the key.

MG: Well, we’re happy to have you here…and we’ll talk again.

TJ: Alright, thanks.

Listen to the audio interview….