The Vitals:Name: Gene
Age: 29
Location: Chesapeake Beach, MD
Job: U.S.A.F.
Favorite Teams: Patriots, #9 Budweiser team
Least favorite teams: Colts
Favorite sports to watch: NFL, NASCAR
Favorite expert: Scott
Least favorite expert: Me
Favorite movie: Batman Begins, The Lost Boys, Jaws, Friday the 13th series, The Waterboy
Favorite TV show: Smallville, CSI:, Justice League, Highlander
Personal:
Describe for us your idea of the perfect day:
Any day above ground is a perfect day.
If you had one day that you could go back and relive from your youth, not to change anything…just to experience again, what day would that be?
The day I won my first Gold medal in a High School wrestling Tournament. That was pretty sweet. The day my team won the first of back to back little league city championships.
You mention in your profile bio that you have a 6 year old; is she into sports too?
I got her a little Patriots football for Christmas a couple years back and we spend almost every day during the summer and fall running plays in the back yard. She’s like bottled lightning. She was a cheerleader for the local youth football team last year; I think she’s going to be the starting HB this year. Oh and she has wanted to marry Tom Brady since she was 3.
Some might say you have a little bit of a “dark” side to you. What is it that draws you to the more sinister characters of movies, serial killers, and other such personalities?
Ever since a young age I have been fascinated with the supernatural and horror side of popular culture. I whole heartedly believe here is something about the bad guy/girl that deep down everyone wants to cheer for. Plus B horror flicks are ALWAYS good for a late night laugh or two.
Being a huge ancient Greek and Trojan War buff, I’d love to check out Turkey some day. You were recently deployed there, correct? Besides being there for work reasons, how was it?
The process of getting off base was more horrendous than getting a tooth pulled. Once I got into the local cities the people were very friendly and the culture was amazing, I was able to take a tour of an ancient castle and mosque.
Sports:
You opened my eyes to the IWFL through the game polls you create during their season. How were you first introduced to the league?
One of our squadron members is actually the QB coach for the D.C. Divas. I went to a couple games last year to check them out and meet most of the players. I’ll tell you one thing, a lot of people laugh when they think of women playing professional football, but those girls are nothing to laugh at; they are extremely skilled and a few of them are absolutely beautiful. Plus I’m pretty sure the Diva’s could beat the Miami Dolphins. We do have a Seattle Majestic here on the Q. Not sure if she wants me to call her out or not.
Obviously you’re a Kasey Kahne fan; and a big NASCAR fan in general – I just can’t get into it. What’s your favorite thing about the sport?
It’s the Uber family sport. Growing up ahem…. country as some would say, it’s extremely difficult not to be a NASCAR fan. I think there is something about the sport that appeals to everyone in some way shape or form. Once you go to your first race, I don’t care who you are or where you’re from your hooked.
How would you grade the Patriots’ off season?
I would like to thank Mr. Robert Kraft on opening up his wallet and paying “The Other” 81 the money he deserves. I really wasn’t expecting anything dramatic in free agency this year, seeing how well they hooked it up last year. So I was not disappointed. I think they did really well in the draft; the young linebackers will be able to gain a wealth of experience from the old guys before they depart.
You’re a fan of the Sharks – how did you become a fan of a West Coast hockey team?
The same way I became a fan of New England and Texas (Ranges). As a kid I hated the bandwagon and those kids that rode it with pride. So I thought to myself screw it I’m gonna start to follow the most scrubby teams. That seemed to work out pretty well with New England and San Jose, not so much for the Rangers. But there is still hope they make the playoffs or World Series sometime this Century.
What has been your top moment as a sports fan so far?
It’s a tie between watching Nolan Ryan throw his 7th No-Hitter and New England winning SB XXXVI.
Your worst?
Did you really have to ask?
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Nolan Ryan, Darryl Strawberry and Juan González. One’s a HOF’er and two are druggies. Man I’m one messed up little cracker!!!!
If you had your choice to attend any sporting event that you haven’t already, anywhere, what would it be?
I’m sure people are going to think this belongs in the Bold prediction section, but I don’t believe it’s so far fetched. New England vs. anyone unlucky enough to play against this P’d off powerhouse in SB XLIII.
Just for fun let's say you could be the GM of any team and make one transaction (trade, add/drop, etc) ... who would you be and what move would you make?
Ray Evernham needs someone decent to drive the #19. If only we could pull Jimmie Johnson away from Hendrick and Gordon………..
FanIQ:
How did you find FanIQ?
An invite from sportsnut27
You certainly make use of all sorts of features on the site; you create a ton of polls, write blogs, and make quizzes, etc. What’s your favorite of these things to do on the Q?
I love making polls that people love taking. If I hit on something and the feedback is positive it stays and becomes a weekly, monthly, yearly thing. Although I had no clue The TOTD polls would ever be as huge as they have become. I’m really thankful for the support I have received from FanIQ on all of my work.
What’s the most bizarre Locker Room poll you’ve ever seen?
Which Golden Girl is the hottest……. ewwww
All thongs aside - what’s your favorite poll that you, yourself, created?
Thongs for the subliminal message. (Laughs) I did a couple of FanIQ “What-If” polls (pt. 1 & pt. 2) where I put some of the Hangout/Locker Room’s more active fans in certain situations and asked the Q to choose which outcome would more likely happen. It was a huge hit. I may have to bring that one back.
What are your favorite game/race polls to create, and why?
All of my polls hold a special place in my little sadistic heart (laughs). Some of the ones I’m most proud of are my weekly Nationwide Commissioner challenge polls, and my daily Carolina League pick ‘em polls. I can’t forget the ultimate NASCAR preseason poll. That’s always fun.
Have you made any good friends on the Q?
In the past 2 years I have met a plethora of wonderful people many who aren’t here any more and a few that still pop up from time to time. In no particular order. ToastySnails, Diabloloco, Disciple, Eric, Natasha, Scott, Big_Country, Michael, Kathster, Pat, Crackersexwife, Helen, joetrivwitz24, you, and more recently Debilane856. If I forgot someone don’t try to hunt me down because remember, I do have a nice sword collection.
Random:
If you had to choose five CD’s to listen to for the rest of your life, which five would you choose?
Insane Clown Posse: The Wraith Shangri-La
Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses
Twiztid: Freak Show
Metallica: The Black Album
Panic! at The Disco: A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
Queen Of The Damned Soundtrack
You get to take 3 people in the sports world out to dinner at your favorite restaurant. Who are they, and where are you going?
Nolan Ryan, Tom Brady, The Undertaker
Hooters, of course!
You find a Genie’s lamp and are granted three wishes; what are they?
To pull Bin Laden out the sand and kill him myself.
Give all the kids in the world each a cookie.
Once a year everyone gets a visit from their dearly departed.
FanIQ is known as the Home of Bold Predictions -What’s the boldest prediction you’ve ever made?
That Kasey was going to win the Nextel Cup last year.
Did it turn out?No the lil punk didn’t even win 1 race, after grabbing 6 checkered flags in ‘06.
Speaking of bold predictions, let’s end this interview with one…lay it on me; give me something bold:
New England will get it right this year 19-0. Man I’d really hate to be in their path this year, you thought they were p.o. about Spygate. Imagine how aggressive they are going to be after the S.B.
Thank you so much, Gene, for taking the time to give us a little insight about yourself. So sorry to bring up your worst moment as a Pats fan (kind of), but thank you for being such a good sport! It's been a pleasure...and for everyone else reading - if you want Dodge to bring back the "What If" polls, say "Aye"!
more
