Like a lot of NFL players, former Baylor running back Terrance Ganaway is working on improving his speed this offseason.
Not at running the 40. At making sandwiches.
After finishing his rookie season with the St. Louis Rams, Ganaway took a part-time job at a Jimmy John's sandwich shop in Waco. In a story by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Ganaway said he's not just there to greet customers and sign autographs.
"I'm on the line that makes the sandwiches," Ganaway said. "I bake bread. Take the cashier spot. I had to sweep the other day. Clean the tables. I mean, all types of stuff. Slice the meat. Wrap the meat."
So what is an NFL player, who earned the rookie minimum $390,000 last season, doing working for minimum wage slicing sandwiches and sweeping floors?
"I just wanted to stay fit, stay out of trouble, and really just try to save money and not spend a lot of money," Ganaway said. "So I just jokingly tweeted that I needed a job in Waco. Was anyone hiring?"
A Jimmy John's employee responded to the tweet, and the next thing you know Ganaway is behind the counter wearing the chain's apron and visor.
Ganaway puts in 12 hours a week working from 5-9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the time Ganaway works out to stay in shape for the Rams' off-season drills.
But Ganaway also gets a workout sometimes at Jimmy John's, where serving sandwiches "freaky fast" is part of the restaurant's advertising spiel.
"I'm in the heat of the battle," Ganaway told the Post-Dispatch. "Trying to make sandwiches fast is Jimmy John's policy, so it's kind of stressful."
Adding to the stress is when the occasional Baylor friend or fan recognizes him from across the counter.
"I tend not to worry about who's coming in, especially when that sandwich line gets long and I've got to make a million sandwiches in about two minutes," Ganaway said.
Ganaway is well-remembered in Waco after rushing for 1,547 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns in 2011, when he played in the same backfield with Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.
Ganaway staged a little promotion of his own one night at the restaurant by handing out one of his signed rookie cards to every 25th customer.
A side benefit to the part-time gig has been getting to know his co-workers, Ganaway said.
"They're good people. I'm very outgoing, so I love meeting people.
Ganaway was a little too outgoing for one shift manager's liking. The manager got on him once for talking too much football on the job.
"It was a changeup that I had to adjust to at work," Ganaway said. "But it's really a great environment and I love working there."
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
