The Patriots drafted Le Kevin Smith in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. The University of Nebraska product started 35 of 49 games for the Cornhuskers, recording 9.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss, which is the second highest total by a defensive lineman in school history. The 6-foot-1-inch, 308-pounder was named the USA Today's Georgia High School Player of the Year following a senior season in which he collected 87 tackles, with 20 stops for losses.
Smith sat down with us to look at his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What was your favorite subject in school when you were growing up? I was always good at Math.
Who is your favorite athlete to watch? Michael Jordan was my childhood idol. I loved the Bulls. I started watching basketball right before he retired the first time. He continued his greatness the second time around.
What is your favorite reality TV show? I'm not really into reality TV shows. My favorite shows are The Boondocks on Adult Swim and Chappelle's Show.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I'm a Butter Pecan type of guy.
What was your favorite hobby as a kid? I love to draw. It just came naturally to me. I never took any classes. I used to draw Marvel Comic characters in action.
What is your favorite restaurant? A place called Granite City in Nebraska. They have the best spinach artichoke dip I have ever tasted.
Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a kid? Lion-O from the Thundercats.
OFF THE FIELD
If you could play another professional sport, what would it be? I would be a golfer. I can't golf to save my life, but I try.
Le Kevin is a very unique first name. Is there any significance? My mom tried to combine my dad's name, Louis, and her name, Kim. She wanted to create something unique.
What has been the biggest transition to living in New England? Living in the area is not a problem; it's the commute that is totally different. I'm used to everything being in one area, and my house being close to it. I love the seafood out here. I'm not used to that either.
You attended the University of Nebraska. Are there more than just corn fields there? No, to be dead honest. There is not a whole lot more to Nebraska besides Omaha and Lincoln.
Where is the ideal destination for a vacation? I hear I need to go to Brazil, and I would like to travel to Spain.
What is one thing that you can't live without? Krystal Burger. They are the White Castle of the South.
Who is the funniest player on the team? Vince Wilfork. He is a character.
What type of food do you refuse to eat? You are talking to a defensive lineman. There is not much. I don't like broccoli without cheese on it.
When you were growing up, who was the player you pretended to be while playing in backyard football games? I was always Reggie White coming off the edge.
ON THE FIELD
What is the toughest thing about training camp? I would say being the new guy and learning new people and a new system.
In your mind, what makes a great teammate? Someone who is supportive and understanding. They shouldn't hold your hand, but should always be there to help out.
Do you remember the recipient of your hardest tackle? Not really. I have never paid attention to that.
THIS OR THAT
Funnier movie: Animal House or Caddyshack? Caddyshack for me.
Blackjack or poker? Blackjack. I don't play all that much.
Scuba diving or skydiving? Scuba diving. I can't mess with skydiving.
Use the phone or drop an e-mail? Use the phone.
Better comedian: Eddie Murphy or Chris Rock? Eddie Murphy. In my opinion, he paved the way for Chris Rock.
Cook a meal or call for delivery? Cook a meal. I can hold it down in the kitchen. I can make any type of Southern dish.
JUST FOR FUN
If you could set up one of your fellow rookies on the MTV show Punk'd, who would you pick? I would pick Jeremy Mincey. He would be the funniest to watch react to the prank.
If you were trapped on a deserted island, which one of rookies would you most like to have by your side? That's a tough one, maybe the kicker, Stephen Gostkowski.We may be able to figure out a way off the island.
If you could be any celebrity for a day, who would you be? I would have to be Brad Pitt. Everyone loves that guy.
If this team had an arm wrestling tournament, who would walk away with the championship? It would be between Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren. That would be the final. I would put my money on Vince because he can get his weight into it.
