Meet the Bulls

While finding "Waldo" in the Land of Waldos is nearly impossible, opposing offenses are having no trouble spotting the speedy Bulls' defensive back that is J.J. Gibson.

The man who once scored six touchdowns in one game has been used exclusively for defense since arriving here at UB, and made a huge mark a few weeks ago against Marshall, where he recorded three sacks of the Herd's Stan Hill.

"Well I came in with Craig Cirbus (former UB football head coach) and they had me down as running back/defensive back and they really needed some defensive backs at that time," said Gibson. "I have pretty good feet. I love running the ball, to this day I still have dreams of running the ball."

Gibson packages a lethal dose of speed and strength, which earned him a trip to the State Championships for the 100 and 200-meter dash during his tenure at high school.

"Going into high school I didn't run track until my junior year, it helped me out (for football). I really didn't like track but I was pretty fast so I just ran it."

Being no stranger to Buffalo, growing up around the corner and graduating from Sweet Home high school, Gibson relishes the fact that friends and family can watch him play.

"It's a beautiful campus, they have my major here, early childhood, so I figure I could go here and have everybody see me play," said Gibson. "I'm on my way."

Being a decorated athlete isn't limited to the playing field, because off the field he showcases a '97 Cadillac STS rolling to the tune of rap music that would make Snoop Dogg jealous.

"It's a nice little car. I had tints, the police made me take them off, I think I'm going to get some more," said Gibson. "I got some rims on there though, no Sprewell rims because I have to wait to get some big money first. I had a '92 but that got kind of old."

Dreams of playing in the big league of the NFL are always floating through the minds of college football players, but if playing defensive back in the NFL doesn't pan out, Gibson wants to give back to the community and work with children.

"I wish to play football, some pro, but if I can't get to that I'd like to go back to the urban areas and work with the kids," said Gibson. "I grew up here in Amherst and I see the kids need some extra help sometimes. I could be a teacher, like first, second grade, get into the system and be a football coach."

When he's not eating up opponents with casual ease on the defense, Gibson enjoys chowing down on chicken of all varieties, except baked.

"I like chicken finger subs, I like fried chicken basically. I don't eat much baked chicken, but it's alright."

Football may be a sport where you experience the extremes of the highs and lows, but Gibson savors every moment, especially the impact that one can have on those watching.

"Playing a game knowing somebody's watching you while you're playing, and knowing you can have an affect on certain people like young kids looking up to you," said Gibson on the best part of playing football. "The hardest is you got to be dedicated, you got to work hard at it, especially Division I college, you can't slack."

Five Random Questions

1) How many pull-ups did you do during physical fitness testing in gym class?

"I think I did like 33."

2) What color is the Kit-Kat wrapper, red or orange?

"I'd have to say it's a mix, that's what I think, cause it don't look red or orange to me."

3) What guy did you use when playing Street Fighter II?

"I used Ken. I just liked him a lot, I don't know why. Ken was my man, he had blonde hair didn't he?"

4) What's the worse thing you got detention for?

"Yeah, freshman year I got detention for throwing food. Had a little food fight, wasn't nothing big just a couple guys throwing some food at a couple other guys and we got caught."

5) Did you ever find Waldo in the "Land of Waldos"?

"Ooh I don't remember, I might of found him a few times, I don't remember though."