An Interview With Carolina Panthers Center Jeff Mitchell.

I was a fifth round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the '97 draft.

The best part of winning the Super Bowl was doing it in my hometown Tampa, FL.

Although, going to the Super Bowl last year with the Panthers, the actual game was more fun, despite losing it in the end.

This is my fourth season with the Panthers, eighth season in the NFL.

I thought I was a stud defensive tackle in high school 'til they told me I was too slow. Then, at the University of Florida I played guard for three years and center for my final two.

I would like to be a defensive lineman because you get to make tackles for loss and sacks.

During the season it is straight forward: Two fairly heavy upper body lifts and one lower lift early in the week. Our first workout is the day after the game and usually involves some light running.

The off-season is pretty rigorous. I usually train five or six days a week: Getting two full body lifts in a week and running three times a week. Each year I seem to put more and more time into core strengthening exercises because I think they are underrated for football players.

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In college, I was mainly concerned with getting bigger and stronger because that was most important at the time. Now, I try to do exercises that develop athleticism while maintaining my strength.

My diet is nothing special, and definitely not pretty. Being an offensive lineman I need to maintain my weight of three hundred pounds all year even at the end of the season. I tend to eat anything as long as there is enough protein with each meal.

My biggest accomplishment would have to be making it in the NFL and playing for as long as I have. I've always thought of football as a day to day job and I didn't think I would make it this long.

Football is still day to day because it could be over on the next play, but I would like to play three of four more years.

There are a lot better football players than me out there walking the street that didn't make it because of their attitude. I think life, and football, is how you react to the good times and the bad. Stay positive and focused and you will succeed.

I would like to thank ISS Research and their continued dedication to come out with the most cutting edge high quality supplements.

Jeff's 2004 Schedule:

For more info on the Carolina Panthers, check out http://www.panthers.com.