ESPN Jon interview

kenobi_on_a_prayer · #1 07-26-2008, 07:56 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3371549

I don't know if this is recent or not so apologies in advance.

Quote:

Mag: We gotta start with an ESPN homer question. Can you describe (Philadelphia Soul team president) Ron Jaworski in less than 10 words?

Bon Jovi: (laughs) Wow. Action-packed. Adrenaline-filled. Wealth of knowledge. Caffeine addict.

Why should more people care about Arena Football?

I know the purists look down on it. It's not 100 yards, 11 guys on the field. I understand that, because I too was one of those guys. It's really made for the football junkie, though; that would be me. It's affordable, it's accessible, there are men who are good role models playing for the pure love of the sport. It's something you can take the kids to. It's absolutely key to a bonding moment with your dad, which is important. Even if you can get NFL tickets, you probably can't bring your son and all his friends, because of price or access. Here you got football junkies loving football, people bonding, the game is being played by character guys, not guys in it for the mega millions.

Rank these owners 1-3: you, John Elway (Colorado Crush), and Mark Cuban.

(laughs) That's tough. Cuban's a pretty creative guy. What we both lack is what my wife calls "The Steinbrenner Face," or the ability to sit there stoic no matter what happens. I'm close to Cuban in that way, although I'm not in the ref's faces. That's more Jaworski's gig. Elway has more experience because he actually played the game; I think sometimes he has little patience with the marketing stuff. If you could combine the three of us, that would be pretty intense. I'd even like to sprinkle a little Bob Kraft in there.

We got this from your Wikipedia, so we apologize if it's incorrect or anything.

(laughs) Thanks for the warning.

But apparently, you're friends with Bill Belichick?

I actually talked to him earlier today.

But you're a Giants season ticket holder. So where were you for the Super Bowl, and how hard was it?

Yea, I actually met Bill when he was the D-Coordinator the Giants. I stayed home for the Super Bowl, watched it at my apartment in New York. It's tough, because I am friends with Bill, but I've been going to Giants games forever. I say to my best friend, "At 6:18pm, I'll tell you which way I'm gonna root." He says, in this very Budweiser Ad Buddha type of way, "Head coaches may come and go, but the New York Giants are forever." So, I come out of my room at 6pm wearing my Giants jersey, and I sat there like the rest of New York celebrating with the team.

In an ultimate underdog situation, like Giants/Pats, or 'Nova/Georgetown, what Bon Jovi song should the underdog team be listening to?

"It's My Life." It's now or never. How many halftimes does the Notre Dame marching band get through without playing that? Honestly, if you're a white guy sitting in that locker room, you're listening to that song.

So honestly, could you take Richie Sambora 1 on 1?

No chance. That (expletive) has a hell of a jump shot. He can definitely shoot hoops. You know what else he's good at? Bowling. He'll beat your (expletive) at bowling. The guy's got pollak blood running head to toe. Hell of a curveball on his bowling shot.

If Guitar Hero had ratings like Madden, would Sambora get a 100?

(laughs) Man, I'd hope so. But then again, I recently failed "Rock Band" twice singing one of my own songs. "Wanted Dead or Alive."

Who do you think the best athlete living right now is?

That's a tough one. I don't even know, but if you talk about a guy who, because of his dedication and commitment, I would go out of my way to shake his hand, then you'd talk about Jerry Rice. He's one of those guys that really impacted me.

Final one: the mascot of the Soul, "Soul Man," is Blues Brothers inspired. Did you ever try to get a "Prayer" or other Bon Jovi song mascot out there?

(laughs) I mean, how much more egocentric can I be? Some people play fantasy. I buy a team. (laughs) Do you think a band is just about the lead singer? But the answer to your question is yes. (laughs)

hometownboy · #2 07-26-2008, 01:13 PM

thanks for the interview , it was a good read

Dawn · #3 07-26-2008, 03:39 PM

havent seen it before, thats a great interview, very funny... thanks for posting it....

Loved these comments... LOL

If Guitar Hero had ratings like Madden, would Sambora get a 100?

(laughs) Man, I'd hope so. But then again, I recently failed "Rock Band" twice singing one of my own songs. "Wanted Dead or Alive."

Who do you think the best athlete living right now is?

That's a tough one. I don't even know, but if you talk about a guy who, because of his dedication and commitment, I would go out of my way to shake his hand, then you'd talk about Jerry Rice. He's one of those guys that really impacted me.

IVE GOT A JERRY RICE SHIRT FROM HIS 49ERS ERA .....

Dawn

bjcrazycpa · #4 07-26-2008, 05:53 PM

Thank you! I haven't seen that particualar interview. Very cool!

deb

InTheseArms · #5 07-26-2008, 06:16 PM

I never saw that interview either - I love it!!! Thanks for posting!!!!

I can't stop giggling - Jon failed Rock Band - that is hilarious!!!! Heehee!!!!!

RSROCKS · #6 07-26-2008, 07:18 PM

The article was first published around May when Jon did that interview for Sports Illustrated when he first mentioned the Central Park gig. However, with the Soul playing in Arena Bowl this weekend, ESPN republished it as if it were a new article.

Still a good read though. It's good to know that both Jon and Richie fail at Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Maybe Tico is our only hope on the drums playing rock band.

SSM12 · #7 07-26-2008, 10:36 PM

Good to know Jon failed at Rockband. I can throw down a mean Wanted Dead or Alive but yet on the game it doesnt appear as though I do. This is just confirmation that it is just infact, a game.

jade4jovi · #8 07-28-2008, 12:27 AM

Good read. Thanks for posting this.

Haha, Jon fails his own song on Rock Band twice. And Richie fails at Guitar Hero. Oh dear.

I can just imagine that. Jon was probably on it with his kids, and wife? And them laughing at him failing his own song. I hope that little (or not so little now? not sure of his age) Romeo, beat him at it.

KeepTheFaith2211 · #9 07-28-2008, 12:41 AM

Enjoyed reading that. Thanks for posting.

Suprised about Jon failing Wanted on Rock Band!

Dave 1986 · #10 07-28-2008, 02:28 AM

Well aparently Slash and Dave Mustaine couldn't play Guitar Hero either. I'm a guitar player myself (albiet, not a wizard), and I struggled for a while playing it. It's really infuriating when people ridicule you for not being able to play GH when you play guitar in real life and then trying to explain that it's not the same principle. Ah well, I get more satisfaction from playing a song properly on a real guitar and getting a high score on a toy one.

ESPN Jon interview

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