After wandering around Media Day at Raymond James Stadium, squeezing my way in front of the stars while reporters shouted inane questions, I made my way up into the bleachers where it was less frenzied. That's where I saw a good-looking large fellow sitting all by his lonesome. It said "Spaeth" on the back of his jersey and judging by the No. 89 I figured he was a tight end, maybe a guy who played on special teams.
I sat down behind his left shoulder and said told him I wasn't a sportswriter, more of a "lifestyle writer." He replied, "Perfect, I'm more of a lifestye guy anyways."
We had a leisurely chat for a little more than 10 minutes, talked about what was on Matt's iPod, then moved onto ... football. But not X's-and-O's football, more about football from Speath's perspective, from a lifestyle perspective. I found him to be a thoughtful, interesting young man. As it turns out, Matt's on the field about 40 plays a game, as part of the Steelers' two-tight-end sets. He caught touchdown passes in his first two games as a rookie in '07.
Here's an audio recording of highlights of our interview, which was much like a conversation. Download.
