TAMPA — Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie offensive lineman Billy Schrauth is settling into life in the Bay Area, and the new arrival has at least one thing going for him: he loves the weather.
“I love the heat,” Schrauth said when asked about his favorite thing about Tampa Bay so far.
The rookie shared his preferences and personality in a get-to-know-you feature published by the team. Among the revelations: Schrauth is not much of a gamer, a beachgoer or a candy corn fan — but he is a devoted fan of “The Godfather,” “Breaking Bad” and the Eagles.
Asked about his favorite athlete of all time, Schrauth named former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. His favorite non-football athlete? “Tiger Woods, [I’m a] golf guy,” he said.
Schrauth’s self-described hot take may raise eyebrows in a state built on coastline. “I think the beach is overrated. I think the pool is awesome. Why do you have to get sandy?” he said.
His best vacation, though, did involve a beach — of sorts. “Hawaii. I was young, maybe like 10 or 11. The best, heaven on earth,” Schrauth said.
The rookie also weighed in on holiday traditions. He prefers “Christmas Vacation” over “The Grinch,” keeps a fake Christmas tree — “Yeah, always been that way. Yeah, not cleaning up after that. It’s easier, right? 100%” — and dismissed the Times Square ball drop. “I think it’s overrated. Same thing every year? Go to bed. You got to switch it up, right?” he said. As for trick-or-treating, Schrauth said you are “never too old” to go, though he could do without the candy corn. “I never really liked candy corn. I thought candy corn was buns. Never liked it,” he said.
Schrauth and the Buccaneers are preparing for the upcoming NFL season at the team’s training facility in Tampa.