QUICK FACTS

Name: Teryl White Born: March 8, 1989, in Macon Ga. Parents: Teryl White, Sr., Olivia Person, (step father) Bernard Person Siblings: brothers, Xavier Tharpe, Johnathan White; sisters, Audra Tharpe, Mercedes Raines, Schuyler White, Emerald White Hometown: Macon, Georgia High School: North Forsyth (Winston-Salem, N.C.) Major at NCCU: Marketing Favorite Food: Japanese food Favorite Athlete: LeBron James Favorite Music Artist: Lil Wayne and Usher Favorite Movie: “2012” Favorite Book: “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene

Question: What is your major and what do you want to do after graduation?
Teryl White: “I am majoring in Marketing. I’ll have a shot at the NFL, but if that works or doesn’t work, I’d like to pursue a career as a marketing manager. Those are the people who make the business plans for the business and decide who it’s going to be sold to, what the customer’s needs are and how to meet them.”

Q: Why did you choose NCCU?
TW: “Because I wanted the HBCU experience. It’s a winning program. There are great traditions here and I wanted to help make an impact at the school to keep it going.”

Q: What do you like most about being an NCCU Eagle?
TW: “I like the pride that everyone has at this school. Even though at times it may be a struggle to see it, when Eagle Pride shows itself it’s pretty amazing. It’s a close knit environment on this campus and I think that is representative of the HBCU experience.”

Q: What is your favorite part about game day inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium?
TW: “The pregame warm-up. I see the fans in the stands so I try to make sure I do everything extra crisp and fast so everyone knows I have my mind right. I feed off the energy in the stadium.”

Q: Do you have any pregame rituals?
TW: “I try to get somewhere quiet by myself so I can visualize what I need to do during the game. Basically, focusing. Oh yeah, and cut my toe nails (laughs). I’ve got to cut my toe nails. Playing D-line with all the chopping of your feet, if you get one of those suckers turned over, it’s over. That’s a game-ending injury (more laughter).”

Q: What has been your most memorable moment at NCCU?
TW: “It has to be November 2008, when Obama won the election. The campus went crazy. The police shut down Fayetteville Street. It was an all-out block party. I’ll never forget that.”

Q: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
TW: “LeBron James. I don’t even watch a lot of basketball; that’s the crazy thing. But I see the passion, intensity and pride that he plays the game with, and I always figured that if I put all of the energy into basketball that I have put into football, that is the type of basketball player I would like to be. He just dominates on the court.”

Q: What is your favorite food?
TW: “Everything (laughs). I enjoy so many things. It would have to be Japanese food.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
TW: “’2012’ … great special effects. It was eye-popping.”

Q: What is your favorite book?
TW: “’The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene. It’s a step-by-step instruction manual for anyone who wants to be powerful or avoid being taken advantage of by the powerful. It helps you rise to the top ranks and be successful in life.”

Q: If you could invite any living person to W.G. Pearson Cafeteria for lunch, who would it be?
TW: “It has to be President Obama. As an African-American, it means a lot that one of our own has risen to such a high position. For a lot of people, it gave them hope. Plus, I think it would crazy to see him sitting in the cafeteria with the guys at the table, having a plate of chicken and making jokes. He could teach us a lot of things, give us his opinion of our campus and maybe even throw a little extra funding our way. I think a lot of good things could come out of it.”

Q: Why football?
TW: “There is no greater game. It’s the one that teaches you the most lessons about life... that brings to most man out of you. I can translate everything I have ever learned from playing this game into a real world setting and it’s going to make me successful.”

Q: What is something interesting about yourself that others may not know?
TW: “I love to watch anime (Japanese cartoons) and read comic books.”

Q: What thoughts do you expect to having running through your mind as you prepare for your final college game on senior day?
TW: “This is my legacy. What I do here will be the last game people ever see me play inside this stadium. When you come down to your very last chance to make an impression on any group of people about anything, you want it to be your best. So I am going to try to have the best game of my college career.”

Q: How would you like to be remembered from your days on the NCCU gridiron?
TW: “I’d like to be remembered as a productive leader, not only for the football team, but for the university. As someone who was dedicated to the university and its ideals; appreciative of the people who paved the way for me and had a desire to continue the tradition. And from a football aspect, as one of the best defensive linemen to ever play here.”

Q: What three words best describe you?
TW: “Determined. Dedicated. Blessed.”