FOXBOROUGH — Each week, here on the Extra Points blog, we will get to know a few fun facts about a particular Patriots player. This week, we talked to wide receiver Brian Tyms.

Erik Frenz: Tell me one thing about yourself that I wouldn’t find in a Google search.

Brian Tyms: I’m a very goofy person. I like to crack a lot of jokes…okay, I’m a prankster.

EF: Got any good pranks you’ve pulled recently?

BT: Not as of yet, but I’ve been thinking about how to get the rookie [practice squad wide receiver Jonathan Krause, whose locker is next to Brian’s] It’s coming, though, it’s coming.


EF: In one word, describe how you feel before a game.

BT: Angry. In college, that’s how we were brought up to [play]. Ever since I started playing football, that’s how our coaches had us [play]. I’m angry at my opponent. I don’t know why, it’s just natural until I start playing. Then I calm down, but at first, I hate ’em.

EF: Where are you from, and how does Foxborough compare to your hometown?

BT: I’m from Fort Lauderdale, and it’s like night and day. This is like the suburbs, it’s nice, and people walking their dogs outside, it’s like Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood up here. Where I’m from, it’s not like that. It’s hot. We’ve got people walking up the side of the street with their pants sagging, you’ve got your hood dudes on the side, posted on the corner and stuff, kind of a rough part of town. So it’s night and day.

EF: You welcome the change, though?

BT: Yeah, I’m not up here to see the scenery. I’m up here to play football, so I don’t really go out anyway. I don’t really leave my house, especially now. It’s so cold, I’m not trying to leave my house unless we’re playing.


EF: Who’s the funniest guy on the team?

BT: Oh, man. I’d probably have to say Caylin [Hauptmann]. It’s between him, Chandler [Jones], [Dont’a] Hightower, and [Jerod] Mayo. Mayo’s gone, but he’s pretty funny.

EF: Caylin’s got jokes?

BT: Yeah, he’s got jokes, but he’s the quiet guy.

Caylin chimes in: Stop f***ing talking about me.

BT: *laughing* He quietly cracks the jokes.

EF: So what’s your favorite thing about football season, and least favorite thing?

BT: My favorite thing is just playing the game, relieving stress, bonding out here. The worst thing would probably be the weather, because the better you are, the later you play *chuckles*, and the later you play, the colder it gets, and the tougher the wind blows. You’ve got to be more mentally tough.

EF: You look at football as kind of a sanctuary for you?

BT: Yeah, absolutely, man. I mean, I love this. I love every bit of it. The weather, I’ve got to adjust to. I’m adjusting to it, trying to go no sleeves in 10-degree weather. It’s tough. But I’m gonna get it though.

EF: Do you have any unique pre-game rituals, anything you do before every game?

BT: I have to be the first one on the field. I’ll probably get in, whether it’s a home game or an away game, I take the early bus, come in, and I have to go out there, do a lap around, stretch a bit, and just sit down and just soak it all in. I have to. I feel like if I don’t, I’m not going to play well. And I have to do it with a football in my hand, too.


EF: What is it about being the first one out there?

BT: I don’t know. I guess I feel like I’m in the marines, you know what I mean? First ones to go are the bravest ones. So I like to be the first one out there, run on their side of the field, look at them, stare ’em down, come to my side, chill out, still stare at ’em like I don’t care. It’s just a mental thing for me.

EF: What did it feel like the moment you found out you would be playing for the Patriots?

BT: I never looked back. It was all or nothing. I packed my stuff up as soon as they gave me the call, and I packed it up to not come home. And I haven’t been home since. I love it here. We’re winning, I’ve got great guys to be around, and a great organization. So it’s just love around the whole building.

EF: What’s your favorite play that you ever made in your playing career?

BT: Oh, man, the post, man! The touchdown! The one we should have had against the Colts, the same play, that post over three people. That was it, right there, from Tom. God, you just dream as a receiver to catch a touchdown from Tom, especially a bomb, you know what I’m saying? Three guys, I mean, shoot. You can’t picture it any better. That had to be the high point right there.

EF: What is your proudest moment of your playing career?

BT: Meeting [Randy] Moss, that’s where it all started. I met him, and it was mindblowing, because of how everybody else says he is on the outside, but when you take the time and when he lets you get to know him, you’re like, “Oh, this is a cool dude.” And he is my idol, so it was like…man…I’m really sitting next to Randy Moss, and we’re talking about regular stuff right now. So that was big for me.

EF: So my next question is usually who’s your favorite player growing up, but I already have the answer to that…

BT: Oh, yeah, Moss, hands down.

EF: If you had one superpower what would it be?

BT: Super speed!

EF: Oh, man, you can’t use that! Everyone else already said they want to be The Flash!

BT: If not The Flash, I want to be the Green Lantern. Just because he can shape shift into different things, and if I was playing football and I had the Green Lantern ring, I’d shape shift with a hand, and before I run my deep route, I’ll slap a defensive back away so I can just freely catch the ball and run into the end zone.

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