Jay Ratliff watches linemen at his camp. Courtesy of Maddie Kuhn

Jay Ratliff, a Dallas Cowboys defensive end, is an eight-year veteran who started all sixteen games last season and had 29 total tackles, nine assists and two sacks. He hosted a youth football camp in Denton, Texas on the campus of the University of North Texas and I spoke to him during a (rare) break from him teaching young athletes.

What are you listening to on your iPod? – Gospel music and a little bit of reggae

What is the last gadget you bought? – A RangeFinder. It’s a device that you point at things and it tells you how far away they are. I use it for hunting.

What is your favorite vacation spot? – Anywhere in the Caribbean

What is the best birthday gift you’ve received/given? – I got my wife a trip to the Bahamas.

What is your favorite restaurant/bar/lounge (in your team’s city)? – Kenichi. It’s a Japanese and sushi spot, real fancy.

What is your proudest moment on/off the field? – Back in high school, it was my senior year, I won a state championship along with my younger brother.

If you weren’t in the NFL, what would you be doing? – I would be in the military, definitely. I came from a long line of servicemen. It would have been only natural that I would have gone.

You follow Jay on twitter at @JayRat90.

Powered By DT Author Box

Written by Maddie

Maddie Kuhn grew up in New Jersey and spent her time going to New York Giants and New York Yankees games, but the Dallas Cowboys always fascinated her. Their prestige and history is so legendary, they are named America’s Team. They have a following of passionate fans as big as Texas, and they always have an entertaining team that plays for a fascinating owner. Maddie went to journalism school at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and just relocated to the North Texas region where she looks forward to being immersed in Cowboys coverage. She wants her articles to be a place people look to find out “How ‘bout them ‘Boys?”