The NFL season is coming soon and there are plenty of captivating stories for this upcoming year. The 2013 rookie class is expected to impress. Dion Jordan was the first defensive player taken in this year’s draft at No. 3 overall by the Miami Dolphins. The defensive end looks to make good on Miami's confidence in him. We spoke with Dion about everything from his move to Miami after being drafted by the Dolphins to his favorite rap album of this summer.
Interview by Rafael Canton (@RafelitoC7)
How has the transition to the NFL been after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins?
Everything’s been good. Just trying to take it one day at a time.
What was it like playing on both the offensive and defensive side of the field in high school?
I played on both sides for my career. I look at myself as an athlete and I don’t limit myself to anything. I put the effort in and got the results on both sides of the ball earlier.
Was it hard to choose between playing on offense and defense?
It wasn’t hard for me at all. I took the opportunity and ran with it. I put the effort in, and I did everything my coaches expected from me.
What goals have you set for yourself for your rookie season?
I just want to go out there and do my best, personally. As a team, we have our goals set high as far as making the playoffs. We want to be successful as a unit on offense, defense, and special teams. I’m just going to go out there, learn as much as I can as a rookie, and just try to help my team out as much as I can.
Is there anything in particular that you’re excited to experience in your first season?
I’m just excited to be a Miami Dolphin. To have the opportunity to play football as a profession and being able to play against the best in my professional sport, to me that’s just enough.
Who are some of your favorite artists to listen to?
I’m a Bay Area guy, so I love hip-hop music. I like listening to E-40, T.I., and Lil Wayne’s a good artist. Those are some of the few that I like.
What song would someone be most shocked to find on your iPod?
I don’t know exactly. I can’t think of anything surprising beyond some of the R&B music I listen to. You can usually find Trey Songz on my phone or on my iPod.
Do you listen to any other genres like alternative or EDM?
I like the Party Rock Anthem Song. That’s an enjoyable song to dance to.
What are some of the essentials in your locker room playlist?
There’s a bunch of different music that we all listen to in the locker room because not everybody is the same. We also play different music based on how we’re feeling at the moment. Some people like to play country music. I like hip-hop music, so I listen mostly to that when I’m in the locker room.
Hip-hop has had a really big month with all the albums dropping from guys like Jay-Z, Kanye West, J. Cole, etc. What’s been your favorite project and if you haven’t listened to any what are you the most eager to listen to?
I really like J. Cole’s album Born Sinner. It’s a great album to listen to.
I listened to Jay-Z’s album. I really like his music and I liked his album. I like the fact that he comes with the same type of intensity to all of his music, but I feel like with J. Cole, I liked his album a little better.
Did you get a chance to listen to anything else? Did you like Jay-Z’s latest album?
I listened to Jay-Z’s album. I really like his music and I liked his album. I like the fact that he comes with the same type of intensity to all of his music, but I feel like with J. Cole, I liked his album a little better.
If you could only keep one album for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
Man, that’s tough. I don’t know, but I’d have to take Lil Wayne's Tha Carter.
The first one?
The third one, Tha Carter III. It’s one of my favorites.
Sports and music have become joined at the hip in the entertainment world, and we see artists like Jay-Z entering the sports world, and athletes starting their own record labels. Do you envision yourself ever entering the music business down the line and if not, what do you think of how sports and music forming a symbiotic relationship?
Personally, I don’t see myself venturing off into the music business later on, but I feel like it’s something that a lot of guys take interest in. Sports is the only thing we have going for us as athletes, but if you have a taste for music or something else I feel like it’s a great thing to have out there.
So for your move to Miami did you bring your family with you?
No, I just went and moved by myself.
What has that process been like moving without your family?
It’s been alright. I’ve been adjusting more to the football aspect because that’s what’s important to me. The fact that you can find yourself in one place. I was in San Francisco, Arizona, and Oregon and wound up in Miami, and to be doing what I’m doing is a blessing, and I’ll be alright.
