D.J. Hayden concerned about looking ‘fat a little bit’ in NFL debut
By Ross Jones, FOXSports.com Raiders cornerback D.J. Hayden couldn’t be more excited to make his NFL debut against the Bears Friday night, but he does have some hesitations about his appearance on the field. It’s understandable since Hayden will be playing in his first game since suffering a torn artery during a practice at the University of Houston in November that almost led to his death. It’s not his play on the field that has him worried. Instead, Hayden is more cautious about looking a little overweight in the silver and black. Raiders trainers and doctors are making the 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback wear an extra “flap” that will give him some added protection. “It just makes me look fat a little bit … ,” Hayden said via Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times. “I want to look good out there. I can’t be looking chubby. It makes me look like I got like a little beer belly or something.” Hayden, who the Raiders selected No. 12 overall, went under extensive care to repair a torn inferior vena cava, an injury that proves fatal nearly 95 percent of the time. The adversity has given Hayden a different perspective on life and football and the rookie wants to make sure that he doesn’t take the experience for granted. “I want the game to hurry up and come,” Hayden said, “but I want to enjoy that moment, playing in the game.” Questions? Comments? Send them to lacesoutmail@gmail.com and we might respond in our weekly mailbag!
