After tossing for 588 yards and four touchdowns as the Ohio football team's backup quarterback last season, Austen Everson celebrated by, well, getting his wisdom teeth pulled. He recently sat down with The Post's sports editor, Matt LaWell, to talk about Tennessee football, deer hunting and Thefacebook.
The Post: You're from Tennessee. Are you a Vols fan?
Everson: To be honest with you, the Everson family might be one of the few families that does not cheer for the Vols. Tennessee is definitely Big Orange country, but we're not Vols fans. Once you leave, though, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I have to cheer for the Vols a little bit now, I guess.
The Post: Do you know the lyrics to Rocky Top?
Everson: Actually I do know the words. Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
down in the Tennessee hills ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top ain't no telephone bills. Yeah, I know them.
The Post: What about the Titans? They had a tough season this year.
Everson: To be honest, I'm a die-hard Titans fan; I'll tell anyone about the love for them. They had a rebuilding year, they have plenty of talent, but I think injuries hit them hard this year. (Steve) McNair was hurt and they lost key guys like Eddie George, Frank Wycheck and Jevon Kearse. But they'll definitely be back in the playoffs next year.
The Post: As far as Ohio sports go, you had a pretty good intramural basketball team last year, but you guys lost because half your team wasn't there for a playoff game?
Everson: We were a good team -we were in the non-competitive league -but come playoff time we took a rough loss, to be honest. I was pretty disheartened about that one, actually.
The Post: You have a good team together for this year?
Everson: You know, I don't. I'm not on a team. I might try to pick up a squad, try to add on somebody's team. But no, I'm not on a team this year.
The Post: Are you more of an outside shooter, or a post ...
Everson: Oh, no ... oh, no. I definitely don't dribble, and I don't bring the ball up the court, but I can rebound with the best of them.
The Post: I overheard during winter break, you got your wisdom teeth out. How many did you have pulled?
Everson: I got all four, and to be honest with you, it was one of the worst things that I've done. I got the dry sockets and I was bed-ridden for about two weeks. I ate soup, Jell-O and pudding for about a week straight. I wouldn't recommend it.
The Post: What's worse: Getting those suckers pulled out of your mouth or getting sacked four times in a game?
Everson: (Laughs) Well, that's a tough one. I still think getting the teeth pulled, to be honest with you. Getting your teeth pulled is much worse. At least if you're sacked, you're playing football.
The Post: You did some work on the farm during the break, too?
Everson: Yes, I did. Our family goes deer hunting religiously -my grandpa, my uncle, my cousins all go up there. We went deer hunting a lot, and we set off our cattle, so it's just us now. It's much easier that way.
The Post: Any less responsibility now?
Everson: Oh, yeah. You don't have to worry about it as much when you don't have animals running around.
The Post: I don't think any members of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) will like this one, but what's the best prize you've ever brought home from hunting season?
Everson: On my 14th birthday, I shot a real nice 7-point -I've shot many a deer over the years -but I actually fell asleep in my tree, looked up and it was standing about 70 yards away. Funny story, I don't even know where it came from. I fell asleep, woke up and it was standing there.
The Post: I'm a geek for Thefacebook and I've noticed that you're on the site (www.thefacebook.com). What's your take on it?
Everson: I didn't know anything about it, and I went home over the break and all my buddies, they go to the University of Tennessee, were needling me for not being on it. So I signed up, and it's pretty addicting. You'd be surprised to see how many people in this country are actually on that thing.
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