Kickin' back | Cody Grimm

Kickin' back with Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Cody Grimm

As NFL players go, you're probably on the small side (listed at 5-11, 210 pounds). What kind of reaction do you get when people find out you're an NFL player?

I usually don't tell people. When I moved down here and I'd go out and I'd meet people, they'd say, "So, what do you do?" I'd say, "I moved down here for a job." When they (ask) what job, I'd say I played football, and they'll say, "For who?" I say, "The Bucs," and they say, "Yeah, right." Now I just tell people I work for the Bucs. I don't even tell them I play football anymore. That's the last resort.

I believe you were a walk-on at Virginia Tech. Were you a marginal player in high school or was that a plan?

I think I was a pretty good player. I was (Virginia) Northern Region defensive player of the year and all-state. But I think when I was coming out of high school, I was 183 (pounds). My high school was never that highly recruited, and I wasn't that big, and I didn't look the part, so I got some I-AA offers from like William & Mary and some lacrosse scholarships. I was all-American in lacrosse, and I was contemplating playing lacrosse in college. But I liked football more. I figured if I was going to put that much time into it, I'll do something I love.

I didn't know about you playing lacrosse. How long had you played?

I started in eighth grade, and I was a two-time all-American and recruited to a bunch of big schools. That's one of those sports that's not as (popular). Everyone plays football. Lacrosse just doesn't have as many great athletes yet, but it's getting bigger.

Down here in the South, that's kind of foreign to us.

Yeah, it's more of a Northeastern kind of thing. But it's a fun sport. My little brother actually plays at Loyola (Maryland), and he's enjoying it.

So, when you got to Virginia Tech, how hard was it to earn a spot? They're a team that recruits pretty aggressively.

Well, I was more of a recruited walk-on. They said they might offer me a scholarship, but I never actually got the big school offer. But I didn't actually have to make the team. I was there when camp started, but I wasn't part of that eighty-something players that they offer. It was kind of tough, but at Virginia Tech, they give you an opportunity. It's known for having some good walk-ons over the years. They treated me like a normal player, and I started being able to make some plays and got a scholarship after my freshman year.

Every week we ask this: What's playing the most on your iPod right now?

Probably (country artist) Eric Church.

Do you have a particular genre you listen to?

I listen to country mostly. But I'm not really that big of a music guy. I don't really keep up with my iTunes downloading.

What website do think you visit the most?

It depends on the time of year. During football season it's probably But I like to check out Back when I was in school, I'd hit up and play some computer games. But I go to quite a bit. It's just funny videos. And one of the sites I've been going to recently is You'll have to check it out. It's just funny. It's pretty much a blog, and they update it once a week and comment about funny things.

No offense, but your touchdown celebration the other day, what was that?

I was trying to hush the crowd. It's all right. I'd never been in the end zone. I didn't know what to do. Aqib (Talib) told me he was going to give me (an idea) in case I make it again. He's going to come up with something for me.

Now, you know you can't choreograph anything or it's a penalty?

Yeah, I gotta be careful. Maybe I shouldn't take Talib's advice.

How awkward do you think it'll be to play against your dad's team (Hall of Famer Russ Grimm is the Cardinals' assistant head coach) on Oct. 31? Will it be awkward or exciting?

I think it'll be exciting. There's nothing really to be awkward about it. It's kind of more exciting than an average game because you have a lot of family ties going on. I'll probably forget they even coach there (Cody's brother Chad is a quality-control coach for Arizona).

Will there be some friendly competition between you?

Oh, yeah. If we get the win, who knows the next time I'll play my dad's team. I'll obviously be able to have the bragging advantage whenever we're hanging out with the family. Obviously, he hopes I do well, and I hope his team does well. But not when we play each other.


Cody Grimm

Position: Safety

Age: 23

Height, weight: 5-11, 210

Hometown: Vienna, Va.

College: Virginia Tech; played in 54 games, starting 15; tied a Division I-A record with three forced fumbles in one game; defensive MVP of 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Pro: Seventh-round pick in 2010; started past two games for suspended Tanard Jackson; fourth on Bucs with 20 tackles; had an 11-yard interception return for a touchdown at Cincinnati last week.

Kickin' back with Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Cody Grimm 10/15/10 [Last modified: Monday, November 7, 2011 5:48pm]

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