Sports and entertainment have always been windows of opportunity for African Americans when other doors were closed.

I was always very independent and looked out for myself. I think that ability really helped me in later years both in sports and in theatre.

I love sports. Anytime I can combine sports with a film I'm a happy guy. It's such a natural fit because sports always seems to be a metaphor for life. Always always always.

I always loved the way music made me feel. I did sports at school and all but when I got home it was just music. Everybody in my neighborhood loved music. I could jump the back fence and be in the park where there were ghetto blasters everywhere.

No matter how many years you play it's always something new and exciting. It's sports you never know what may happen.

I've always been around dudes and sports.

Yeah I think it motivates you as people start to count you out. It doesn't make you play any harder because every time you go out on the field you give 110 percent but it does give you more of an edge mentally knowing that you were in the same situation because in sports you always find yourself behind.

Part of my growing up was always trying to make my parents proud and always trying to keep them happy. I think part of what held them together was my involvement in sports.

I love that men like to look at women that they love sports that they need to know the inner workings of mechanical objects. I love the whole makeup of men - that they never mature and are always just boys.

I never thought I'd make the pages of 'Sports Illustrated ' because I've always been skinny.