I got to L.A. in 2000, when we were coming off the '90s: women looked like men and the men all looked like women.

When I was growing up, it was Clint Eastwood, it was Harrison Ford and Steve McQueen - these guys were tough. They were leading men, but they were also tough and physical.

Acting was the only place that I ever felt like I belonged so went for it with everything I had.

I was happier going back to my roots: training like men do in my hometown of Pittsburgh. Back home the guys in the gyms don't lift to look good; they're lifting to lift. They do it because they want to squat more and bench more.

I started writing stories in sixth grade. But writing wasn't cool, like being good at sports, or being part of the in crowd, or winning fights on the playground.

Music is my thing. It's my thing; it's what I love. It's what I do. It's football to me; it's Christmas to me; religion to me; poetry to me.

I've been through some adversity where I didn't have football. Having it back gives you an appreciation for every snap you can take. I'm just blessed to have that opportunity.

For me, any time I'm on the football field, that's my comfort zone.