ASK THE STEELERS – RYAN MUNDY – PART 3

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.

From Dan Cook in Powell, Ohio: From what you are hearing, what do you think will be the biggest adjustment to the NFL for you?
Ryan Mundy: From what I have heard it’s the playbook, but the playbook isn’t that hard to me as of right now. I don’t know what else they are putting in or anything like that. But the defense is similar to what I ran at Michigan. That is the initial step. Once you understand the playbook and your assignment you just go out there and play fast. But I have heard a lot of guys have trouble because they don’t understand the assignments or playbook and they are out there thinking or reacting slow.    

From Jim Campbell in Fredericksburg, Virginia: A lot is made about players hitting the rookie wall when the season starts to wear on.  How do you avoid that? 
Ryan Mundy:  I definitely have heard about that wall. The main thing that you have to do is take care of your body. Especially as it gets close to the end of the season. You want to make sure that you are fresh and ready for each game. As you move towards the end of the season and it becomes close to playoff time you want to be ready for every game.

From Steve James in Sanbury, Pennsylvania: What do you like to do to get away from football?
Ryan Mundy: I just like to relax. I like to sit around the house, get on the computer, watch television or play video games. That’s my main thing. – just sit home and relax.

From Randy Clinton, York, Pennsylvania: If you were not a football player, what career path would you have followed?
Ryan Mundy: I would probably go to law school. I would like to do criminal law. It’s something I am still interested in but obviously I have other things to take care of right now.

From Ray Cooper, Sarasota, Florida: Do you enjoy any sports other than football? If so, what and who are your favorite teams?

Ryan Mundy: I love track and field. That is my second love. I used to run when I was younger and through high school. I like basketball. I like watching the NBA playoffs. The regular season is okay, but I like the playoffs. I really don’t have a favorite team in any other sport. I just enjoy watching basketball and tack.

From Mike Powers in Des Moines, Iowa:   Not long from now you will sign a contract and get a signing bonus. What’s the first thing you plan on buying with that bonus?
Ryan Mundy: Probably a car and I will give the one that I am using right now to my dad and I will need something to get around in.

From Will Fleming in Richmond, Virginia: Who has had the biggest influence and helped you the most in your football career to date?
Ryan Mundy: I would say my secondary coach at Michigan, Coach Ron English. Coming in as a freshman you think you know everything but you really don’t. He really humbled me and broke me down and built me back up. I thank him for everything that he has taught me from techniques and coverages and stuff off the field. He has had a big role in my development as a football player which helped me grow as a young man.