Bears Blitz

Published by Jake Perper on July 24, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Bears signed undrafted rookie WR Chris Summers a day after the 2012 NFL draft.

Summers attended Liberty University, where he became the program’s all-time career leader in receptions (188), receiving yards (2,712) and touchdowns (26).

He ranked 18th nationally in receiving yards per game (112.7).

The 6’4″ wide receiver understands he needs to perform at his best during training camp to earn a roster spot—either on the active roster or practice squad.

Having size and speed should give Summers an edge over the other rookies in camp.

I had the chance to catch up with Chris this week, and he talked about who he will be rooming with at camp, what it’s like to live in Chicago and what he believes needs to be done in order to earn a roster spot with the Bears.

Here’s the interview with Bears rookie wide receiver Chris Summers:

 

BB: Was it always your dream to play in the NFL? Are you excited to be in the city of Chicago playing for such a historic franchise?

CS: Growing up as a kid out playing in the yard pretending to be one of your favorite athletes. Yes, playing in the NFL has always been a dream of mines. I’m stoked to be playing for such an historic franchise as the Chicago Bears.

 

BB: What do you feel is your biggest strength?

CS: One of my biggest strengths on the field would just be my go-get-it attitude when the ball is in the air. Just playing basketball, treating each pass as if it was a rebound and attacking the ball at its highest point.

 

BB: What do you feel is your biggest weakness?

CS: My biggest weakness would be playing too high sometimes—in my routes where it could tip off the defender of what I’m about to do.

 

BB: Which NFL player do you most compare yourself to on the field?

CS: As far as for my play on the field, I would like to compare my game to receivers like Vincent Jackson and Larry Fitzgerald since they are on the bigger side when it comes to your receivers.

 

BB: Who is the person that you credit to getting you to this point?

CS: My Lord and savior Jesus Christ for helping me make it this far. Then, it would be my mom and dad and brothers and immediate family for helping me get to this point. With all of the support and great nucleus at home, it was very easy to excel in sports.

 

BB: In terms of off the field and personality, what will an NFL franchise be getting with Chris Summers?

CS: Off of the field, an NFL franchise would be getting a high-character guy who knows how to carry himself on and off the field by doing all of the right things when the cameras and the limelight are not on me. As far as my personality, I can be a very sociable person no matter who I’m talking to—very funny and laid back, just like to brighten up a room whenever I walk into in a positive way.

 

BB: What does your pregame warm-up consist of? What artists/songs are typically part of your warm-up playlist?

CS: When it comes to a pregame warm-up, I don’t really have one. I’m more on the calm side of things, like to keep things as normal as possible by just talking to my teammates, reviewing the script for the game, etc. I’m not really big on music either before a game. I just like to visualize myself making big plays in the game and ways I can help the team win.

 

BB: What are some of your favorite spots in Chicago so far, specifically food and relaxation? Any hobbies that are really enjoyable to do here?

CS: So far, some of my favorite spots in Chicago would have to be the shopping malls downtown since I’m kind of big on fashion, which comes from my mom…lol. I’ve had the Chicago pizza so far, and it had to be the best pizza I’ve had thus far. Hobbies would just be relaxing, watching a movie, playing the video game online…that’s about it.

 

BB: What is a fact that some people may not know about you?

CS: A fact is that I grew about five inches from my ninth-grade year to my 11th-grade year…first player in Liberty University history to play football as well as basketball.

 

BB: Do you have a nickname that your teammates and friends call you? How did that come about?

CS: Some has started to stir up since OTAs and minicamp went along, like the name “Sleepy” since they say I’m always sleep, which is not true I may add. There has been a lot of speculation that I’m always sleep in meetings which I don’t know how that came along lol.

 

BB: Are you a big social media guy?

CS: It’s the business that we conduct ourselves in. The media is going to be there, and I really enjoy talking to them. It gives me the opportunity for people to get to know me when I don’t have a helmet on.

 

BB: What is your favorite part of football? Least favorite?

CS: Favorite part of football is that I’m waking up playing the game I love for a living. I really can’t get past that fact. I’m just so blessed. I don’t really have a least favorite part. I enjoy every bit of it.

 

BB: Jaguars RB Rashad Jennings is the only active NFL player from Liberty, do you have any relationship with him?

CS: We have a great relationship. He always has something positive to say whenever we chat.

 

BB: What do you believe must be done to earn a roster spot this upcoming season? Are you excited for training camp in Bourbonnais? Do you know who you’re rooming with?

CS: What has to be done to earn a roster spot is to do everything asked of you and more. Each and every day just to compete and do something that will catch a coach’s eye in a positive way. I’m very excited to be entering my first training camp in Bourbonnais. Ready to get to work and do whatever I can to bring a Super Bowl to Chicago. Yes I will be rooming with Brittan Golden, who I roomed with for OTAs and training camp.

 

BB: Have any of the Bears wide receivers taken you under their wing since your arrival in The Windy City?

CS: We have a great group of guys in our receiving room who are all willing to help anyone out, from the veterans all the way down to the rookies, as we sometimes study together. Brandon Marshall always has words of wisdom each day to help motivate us to make sure we all have a great day of practice.

Don’t forget to follow Chris Summers on Twitter.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up-to-the-minute news about the Bears.

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