10 Questions With...Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush won a Heisman Trophy, two national titles with USC, and a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints. Even with all that, there is one championship he wishes he had the chance to conquer. Last week, Bush was in Dallas, Texas at the Red Bull Game Breakers, a 7-on-7 national high school football tournament. Like any other kid, Bush played flag and two-hand-touch football during recess or on the street, and he said he would have loved an opportunity to represent California and play in a national tournament. Unfortunately for Reggie, a team from Texas took the Red Bull Game Breakers title this year. During the tournament, the NFL star talked to SIKids.com about his favorite number, the ultimate athlete, and the scorching Texas heat.

What time is your alarm set for?
9 AM.

Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry ice cream?
Strawberry banana.

What was your childhood nickname?
My family used to call me Little Reggie because I was a junior. My dad was Big Reggie and I was Little Reggie. [In college, it was] The President. My last name is Bush and President Bush was the president at the time, so they just called me President.

If you weren't an athlete, what would you want to do?
I would want to be a doctor.

Why do you wear the jersey number you do?
5 was my favorite number, and I wore it in college and high school. In the pros, running backs can’t wear single digits, so I wanted a number with 5 in it. [Not 35 because] 35 is terrible. It’s an ugly number. [Laughs]

What is your favorite city to compete in?
New Orleans. They are so passionate about football down there. They love the Saints and the fan base is amazing. It’s unlike any other place I’ve played in, and they really love football down there. Playing in California we love football, too, but in New Orleans and in the South, football is like a way of life.

What do you do on days off?
I rest, because I don’t get a lot of it.

Who is the greatest athlete of all-time?
Michael Jordan. He’s a fierce competitor. When the game was on the line, he showed up. There was never a dull moment when he was on the court. When he was sick, he would go out and hit 60 points a game. To me, he was the ultimate competitor and ultimate athlete. When the game was on the line, he was clutch. He was always clutch; I don’t think there was ever a time when there was a big game and he didn’t show up. To me, that’s the ultimate athlete and ultimate competitor.

Who is your best friend in sports?
Thomas Williams. We went to college together and we were roommates in college, and he plays for the Carolina Panthers now.

What is the last item that you purchased?
Today, it was a pair of shorts. When I got off the plane, it was 104 degrees out here and I didn’t have any shorts, so I stopped by some local sports store to grab some shorts to wear because there was no way I was keeping those jeans on.