The Heart of a Champion: A T-Sizzling Talk with Terrell Suggs on Football, Family, and Fierceness

People forget to understand that, you know, that we human and we wear multiple hats, you know what I'm saying? We're not just, you know, professional athletes or football or basketball players or what have you, you know what I'm saying? Like we fathers first.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Mech Unplugged. And today we are talking to my goat. You all know I'm a patriot, but you're going to learn a little secret. Today we're talking about from gridiron to greatness. This guy is a walking highlight reel. He is one of the most dominated defensive forces the game has ever seen. He's a Super bowl champion, a defensive nightmare. Defensive player of the year. I could give him all the accolades in the world, but what I want you to know is he's a true leader on and off the field. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for my goat, Mr. Terrell. Suggs. Tara, how you doing today, brother?

What's up, man? What's happening? Thanks for having me, man.

I am glad that you are here. There's so much I want to talk to you about, man. And I'll make unplugged. I like to talk to people about their. Because, right, that thing that's deeper than your why that true passion that you have. And I know from time to time it changes. So if I were to say today, T sizzle, what's your because, man, like, what's that purpose that you have?

My children. My children. I think now, you know, I want to be, you know, even better dad than I was a football player. You know, I mean, it's the most important job you'll ever get. So I would think I'm not. I would think. I know, like my cuz or my why is my children, man, it's their turn and I get to have front row seats. So.

Yeah, I love that, man. And a lot of people don't understand the sacrifices that professional athletes make when it does come to. To parenthood, right? Like when I say sacrifices, it's. You're burning the candle on both ends because you've got to be the teammate first and foremost. Then you got to do your assignment on Sunday, right? But then, you know, as tough as you are, you still got to be dad at one o' clock in the morning every once in a while. And when baby is sick, right? Like, people don't understand that. Talk to them a little bit about that, man. Just the how. I don't want to say the pressures, because there's no pressure in parenthood, but Just you got a big, big time job, right? And then you come home and it's an even bigger job.

Exactly. And like, you know, people forget to understand that, you know, that we human and we wear multiple hats, you know what I'm saying? We not just, you know, professional athletes or football or basketball players or what have you, you know what I'm saying? Like, we fathers first, you know what I mean? And they kind of get. Get the back end. It gets. Was less. Especially when you plan, you know what I mean? Because your job and everything comes first, your career. And then like, they're just kind of like, all right, dad, now you gotta. If you could make it to my recital or my game or something, you know what I mean? All that stuff is hard when you playing, but when you're not playing, it's like, it's the best feeling in the world. Like, you get to go to everything, you get to attend everything, and you kind of get to be present, whereas, you know everybody when you're playing. Everybody, yeah, you're at your kid's game, but they're more happy that you're there, you know what I'm saying? So it's like now they get to be the focal point. It's like, nah, this is their game. If you want they autograph, get theirs, you know what I'm saying? It's like I'm just Dad now, you know what I mean? I love that it's their turn now. It's like they're on stage and they kind of get to be the reason, you know what I mean? Like, everybody's there. Not everybody there to see, dad. Everybody there to see you. You know what I'm saying?

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. So growing up, man, you grew up in Minnesota, right? So growing up in Minnesota, when did you know that you were gonna be T sizzle? When did. When did you feel that?

I didn't. Like, we talk about it every day. And it's like, you know, in Minnesota, what people don't know is very competitive, you know? You know what I mean? Like, out of 10 kids, 12 of them got D1 abilities, you know what I'm saying? Like, I remember like my. My Pop Warner team, like my eighth grade team, we went that whole year, we gave up, I want to say, one touchdown out of like 12 games. Like, we were that dominant on both sides of the ball. Like, we kicked the ball off at the beginning of the game, we kicked the ball off at halftime because our offense was just going to light things up. And people don't Know this, but my quarterback was Joe Maurer. You know what I'm saying? Joe Mauer, he.

Baseball?

Yeah. You know, he went to Creedon, Durham hall, was an All American, you know, had a scholarship to Florida State, but went and played. Went and played baseball, but he was a quarterback on an inner city team. He's the only white kid. He was the only white kid. And all of us would tell you he was the best player, if you. You know what I mean? Like, Joe Bauer had it, like, we were 10 and he was 8. He was still better than all the rest of us and all of us inner city kids, you know what I'm saying? Joe Mauer just had it from jump. So he was on our 8th grade team that was like going up in Minnesota. It's highly competitive. So, like, when I was able to kind of like branch out and I moved to Arizona, like, I already had kind of like that edge, that competitive edge, and that really helped me. I want to say that propelled me.

Yeah, yeah, that's what's up. So segueing to Arizona, right? You go to Arizona State. This is pre nil, so I ain't gonna get you in trouble, but. But why Arizona State, man?

To be totally honest with you, it was Florida State. I was going to Florida State because they were winning national champions. Then they were on TV every week, and that was huge. So, you know, as a family, we thought, like, Florida State was the best place for me, but my dad was like, all right, you know, I'll be able to catch a game when I can. You know, we, you know, we poor in the inner city. And I was like, well, that's a deal breaker for me. Like, I gotta have my dad in my games, you know what I'm saying? And, like, especially, like, my whole senior year, he hadn't missed one. And that's when we had our magical year. One player of the year with the Gatorade. Player of the year. And, you know, the thought of me going to college and my family not being the stands to see it. Like, they could only see me when I was on TV or playing on the West Coast. I was like, no, now that's not enough. We might as well go right on. 15 minutes down the street, y' all can make every game. So that's why Arizona State, but also, like, Arizona, the U of A, they was the first ever school to, like, recruit me, send me a letter. And, you know, I also, you know, because football don't have the Olympics, I love their colors. Like, they were the red, white, and blue. So it was kind of like, oh, you could wear the red, white and blue and play football. You know what I mean? So it was Florida State, and then it was U of A. Was like a strong second. Like, if I'm not going to go to Florida State, I'll go to U of A. Because they were the first one. You know, I'm a loyal dude. And, you know, and then, like, the media kind of heard, like, they kind of. It kind of got out that I might head to somewhere other than asu. And then they just went full fledged. Like, the media started recruiting me. So I was like, yeah, yeah, we might as well just go to asu.

I like it, man. So, you know, I remember staying up late because I'm from the East Coast, I'm from South Carolina, right. And I went to college in North Carolina. Tar Heel always represented. But I remember staying up, man, because, you know, for us, you guys are playing at 7:30, 8:00 clock your time. It's like 10:30, 11. And when you're on TV, you know, it gets delayed a little bit. Yeah, but I always wanted to see you, man, because the tenacity you had, you were all over the field, man. Like, I showed my kids a highlight tape. It wasn't even a published highlight table. This was back when you could record tv, right? Like DVR or whatever. It was like watching you chase down running backs from the total opposite side of the field. Like, it was the norm for you because people wasn't coming to you, right? You were always having to chase, like, where did that grit. Where did that fire come from, bro?

Well, I know which play you're talking about. It's ucla, the Deshaun Foster place. And like, when I was in high school, you know, my senior year with DeShawn Foster's freshman year, and he tore it up. He like to. He tore up college football, you know what I'm saying? And, like, I was like, all right. I was, like, excited to play him. But, you know, you're nervous. You're going up against, like, you know, that was like. That's how I felt the first time I played against Ricky Williams in the league. Like, that's Ricky Williams, but I'm going to get to him, you know what I'm saying? They say ball until your idols become your rival. So it was desean Foster, and it was just like, I'm a get him. And I was trying to get my play, and it was the only time I could really tackle him. He ran the other way and he Broke. And I tried to catch him in the rose. It was a dope setting, but he still scored. But it was just kind of like, oh, look at this kid. You know what I mean? It was kind of like people started to become aware of me. But I would definitely say, like, my coaches, man, like, they brung the dog out, you know what I mean? Ted Monino, like, once I got him as a coach, like, my world changed me, I changed as a player, you know what I'm saying?

Yeah, what was that change like?

Like, give me a.

Give me the before and after.

A coach that kind of be like, look, you know what I'm saying? You don't just got to make the plays that come to you. You can make every play, you know what I'm saying? Like, we need you to, like, lead this team. And you, you know, he had that, that confidence in me, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's what coaches do. They bring the best out of you. They're on you. And like, even when I didn't do nothing wrong, like, he would like yell at me kind of like to get me, like to let all the other guys know, like, all right, I'll get on his ass too, you know what I'm saying? I just kind of took it, shut my mouth and went to work. And we end up having magical seasons, man.

Absolutely. And so then you parlay that you earn a draft pick, right? Like I tell people all the time, like, players earn getting drafted, right? Like, there's so many people that are draft eligible, people don't realize, right? So even fourth, fifth round draft picks, they earn to be drafted. You earn to be drafted by the Ravens. I don't know if a lot of people realize, man, like, you didn't start every game your rookie year, but doggone it, you had 12 plus of those things though, brother.

I didn't start my rookie because that kind of show you the personnel we had at the Raven. When I got there, like, you know, I said before, I was like, this was the first time, like, I wasn't top dog. And not only was I top dog, I wasn't not top dog. We had a whole bunch of other dogs there that could do what I do, you know what I'm saying? So it was just kind of like a pack of lions and like you, the young cub, like, like, it was cute what you did down there in college. But this big boy Lee, this ain't that little rascal stuff you used to. You know what I mean? They let me know early, like, that was college, little bro. This is a whole nother game up here. But I had great vets, man. I had great vets. You know, Adelis Thomas, I mention him all the time. Adele Thomas, Bar Scott, Peter Boare, Anthony Weaver. And of course, I had the two top dogs, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. So, you know, you got a personnel like that, like, it's only natural you could be successful. You know, I ain't gonna never forget Kelly Gregg either. He was like the smallest guy on our team, but he was also like the strongest and the toughest. So we just had dogs everywhere, man.

Yeah, man. And you were, you were the dog. And I, again, you've always been my favorite NFL player, right? And so the seeing the maturity of you, from your rookie year, again, 12 and a half sacks, to then you're starting your next year and now you're getting schemed. And I don't think people realize that either, right? Like, it's like, okay, Suggs is over here now we're going to double team them, chip them, but you're still productive, right? Talk to people about that. Because again, I don't think people understand the nuance. Like, they see the high numbers, but they don't realize those high numbers mean you're getting attention too.

Yeah, like, like what, what, what people don't understand is that like, you know, offensive coordinators are smart. They know what you could do, you know what I'm saying? Like, they know which each player can do and they gonna find a way to scheme up the defense. You know what I mean? It wasn't just me. Like I said, they were like, all right, we can slide this way. You know, send the. We'll double him with the tackle and tight end, and we'll send the guard and the full back up to Ray and we'll slide this one like they got schemes, you know what I'm saying? So it's just like, you just got to be productive. And, you know, your, your, you know, coordinators kind of gotta counter that, kind of gotta get you lose, get you free, you know what I'm saying? But also your personnel, your teammates gotta get you free too. Like, they can't. We got. We had it. So you can't. You, you gotta have to pick your poison. You double one of us, the rest of us is gonna eat. So that's how it end up happening. Like, everybody know we've had like consecutive years where we. The best defense in football, you know, we just didn't have a championship offense is why we end up either getting Bounced out of the playoffs or didn't make it, you know what I'm saying? But you know, we eventually got that thing done.

So. Yeah, so let's talk about that, man. Like not only two time super bowl, right? But then you're also player of the year. You're the leader of men at that point, right? So talk to me about your leadership maturity. Like, when did you realize, all right, I gotta be a little bit different in the locker room. I gotta be a little more vocal on the field because you had Ray, you had Ed on the back end and then like you're that presence up front, man. So, like, how did, how did Sizzle manage that? All right, I'm a leader now.

I want to say it was after the 2006 season. We lost in the playoffs at home to, you know, Peyton Manning, them. And that's not a good feeling because we felt like we were top dog that year. You know what I'm saying? We felt like that was our year in 06. It was the most games we had ever won as a franchise up until Lamar got there. But we had went 13 and three. I had never won that many games before in my life. And it was just like, I think we had like nine, nine Pro Bowlers. I think six of us were on defense or something like that. I. Our whole line back in court went to the Pro Bowl. Myself, Ray, Bart and Adelis Thomas all were elected to the Pro bowl that year. So we had Trevor Price. He like led all defensive tackles in sacks. He had 13. Like, it was just a great year. It was a really good year. And like we got bounced out and it was just kind of like, all right. We kind of all expected Ray and, and Ed to kind of just lead us, you know what I'm saying? I was like, all right, I gotta, I gotta join that group. We all need help so we all can get it done together. So I would say probably after 2006, and I became more of a leader in 2008 when harvest got there, it was then we had that real big three headed monster. So, you know, Ray and Ed.

So.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

No, that's awesome, dude. That's awesome. So I'm gonna say this so you don't have to. I wholeheartedly believe if the Ravens during your heyday had somewhat of an explosive offense, you would be the career leader in sacks. Because.

Say that.

Yeah, like, like literally a lot of your sacks, man. Like, teams didn't have to. They were never pressured to throw the ball one. They couldn't Throw the ball on you guys. But, like, there were never shootout games. And what people don't realize is stats on sacks. Like, it's a lot of shootouts, right? Like, I wholeheartedly believe you'd had over 200 sacks if y' all had a potent.

Or we could. We could have landed somewhere around there. Like, I, you know, I don't want to gas myself up and be like, oh, I'd have let you know.

I'd have been, I'll do it for you. I'll do it for you. Don't worry, I got you.

But, you know, a lot of those early years, like, we did not have an offense. Like, you people notice. Like, there's not no secret we did not have an offense. And like, when you're in shootout games, and especially not shootout games, excuse me, you and like, dog fighting games and you playing Pittsburgh, they and you. You know what I'm saying? They got three tight ends and they running powers and plunges now. It ain't like the game is now, you know, you know, high flying and passing and all of that.

No, you had Eddie George to prep for, like, the Titans, like, eight throwing the ball.

Taylor, Corey Dillon, you know what I'm saying? Jerome Bettis, like, we had big backs then, you know what I'm saying? Brandon Jacobs, you know what I'm saying? Stephen Jackson, like, this is when, like, backs were backs. Every week you're facing either a big back or a good, elusive one. You know what I mean? You know, shifty, loose. You know, a shifty one. And like, now it's kind of like the running back is kind of like an afterthought, you know what I mean? They don't really value running backs no more, but I think Saquon Barkley just changed that.

So. Hoping so. Hoping so. Man, is there any sack aside from my guy, Tom Brady? Any sack you remember? Like, any sack that stands out or a few sacks that stand out.

One sack stand out. It was opening day, of course, against the Steelers. They had just knocked us out. They had just knocked us out of the playoffs the year before, and we were beating them on their home field. We was up like 21.7 or something in the third, and then they end up coming back and beating us. But I was just. I was just like, we were turned up. We just got knocked out by him. We, you know, felt disappointed. And that. That opening day 2011, like, I just. I was on one that day, so it was one. I just come through like, hello, D. I like, rap under Lodi he told me to do it. Like, I wasn't supposed to. He was like, sizzle, come under me. Like, we just had that kind of chemistry, that connection. Yeah. And I was like, all right. And I just did it. And it just happened. Like, boom. Big hit, ball out. We recover, we go down, score, like the next play or two plays or something like that. And it kind of like, set the tone for our season. That opener and that sack, you know what I mean? It was a. That one is my most memorable.

I love it, man. So one of the things I love paralleling is leadership in sports. And again, I'll say it all day, every day, my favorite player in the world was T sizzle. But I also appreciated, like I said earlier, your leadership. And so talk to the audience about leadership and teamwork, right? Because one of the things that I always say, a great leader knows their team better than their team knows themselves. Meaning you knew Halodi probably better than Helote knew himself, right? Like, you knew, you know, his instincts. You probably knew the buttons to push. How important was that for you, being a leader, but knowing your teammate and their strengths?

It was extremely important, especially because I kind of, like, fell into the role, you know what I'm saying? I didn't, like, you know, appoint myself as a leader or nothing like that. I think it was kind of like the respect from the, you know, my other teammate that I had in the locker room that we can kind of go to SIS to kind of lead us, you know what I'm saying? But also, like, I can never not discredit, like, our kind of legacy. Like, I was a good leader because I had a good leader, you know? You know, in Ray and Ed, you know what I'm saying? Like, when, you know, you have guys that's always professional, that's showing you how to do it right, you know what I mean? And, like, not only that, like, they love the Ravens organization, they love our team, you know what I'm saying? Like, if Ray, you know, didn't get older, you know what I'm saying? He'd probably still be playing, you know what I mean, in the Ravens uniform, you know what I'm saying? Like, I kind of had. I was under his tutelage, you know what I'm saying? I was under him. I sat next to him for, like, 10 years in the back of the room, just picking his brain. Like, I didn't get, like, you're not going to get a better football mind, you know what I'm saying? So I kind of say all of that just rubbed right off to his little brother, you know what I mean? Like, having been, you know, being under, you know, being him being my mentor for all those years, and then me just kind of having a relationship with other guys in the locker room and us having fun and, like, that is how, you know, I fell into the role. And, like, I was just one of those guys that also loved the Ravens organization, you know what I'm saying? So it was like, a lot was riding on, like, these games. Like, dog, we love these games and we only got limited time together, so let's get this shit done, you know what I'm saying?

Excuse me, but no, you good.

You know what I mean? And that was just kind of the mindset, you know? I mean, Ravens nation.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think another thing that I think you embody and you talked about it with your kids, again, doing the parallel to leadership is great. Leaders are always present, right? Like, you can't lead by talking. You can't lead by checking in. And I don't care if you're talking leadership in football, leadership in your household, I think presence is key. And I would say that for you, like, seeing the things you've been able to accomplish on and off the field, you're always present. Like, you're always in the moment.

Yeah. You know, you got to be, you know, I mean, you got to be. Like you said, I let them kids know there's nothing more important than what you're doing now. You know what I'm saying? So. And also, like, you know, a leader would never ask someone to do that. He wouldn't do himself. You know what I'm saying? So you always kind of got to lead by your actions first, you know what I mean? It's always being on time. Like, not like I tell my. My son, like, if you supposed to be somewhere at 8, then you need to be there by like 7:50, 7:55. You don't want to be walking in at 8, you know what I mean? Like, you wanna. You wanna have some respect for your time. You don't want to always be rushing, you know I'm saying? Always lead by example, you know what I'm saying? So, I mean, leave with your actions. Always be a professional. Always be a man of your word, you know what I mean? And that's what I was pretty much trying to be.

But I love that, man.

I love that.

If you could give people, like, one tip. So let's say, you know, someone's either struggling with leadership or someone's trying to find that purpose within. Like, what's one tip you'd give them?

Always self check, always start with yourself, you know what I'm saying? Because it's always something you could do, you know? I mean, you can't complain about a sum. You can't ask for sympathy for a burden that you chose to bear, you know what I'm saying? So it's always, you know, self check, always start with you first before you go anywhere else. It's like, all right, what can I do? Like, what, what can I do to change this? What did I do to cause this? Like, it's always self check, self, self check yourself first. And then like, you can come up, you know, with the right move. Like I tell, you know, my kids, my cousins, everybody, all the time is like, you know, you got to play chess, you got to think moves ahead, you know what I mean? Like always, there's always a move to be made, you know what I'm saying? Just take your time and make it, you know? I mean, think about it and make them, you know, make the chess move.

So. No, I love that, brother. Yeah, I love that. So how do you want the legacy of you to be defined? Right? Like, I got my version, but I want to hear what you got.

Like, my version is I want them to, like, you know, everything that I achieved, achieved for the right reason. It wasn't for, you know, selfish glorification. It was for the betterment of the team. I wanted us, like, I wanted us all kind of like get the glory, you know what I'm saying? And I just wanted them to know that I gave it all through and through, you know what I'm saying? Like, I played every snap like it was the super bowl game winning play, you know what I'm saying? Like, I wanted it and I always wanted it, not for myself, but for my teammates, my team and my city.

So that's it, man. Like, I would have said something very similar. I would have just said, if he was with you, you got everything.

I like that.

Like, if so, it's lined up. Besides, you were getting it all if he was in the huddle, no questions asked, you getting everything?

I'm going to use that. I'm going to give you your credit. I'm going to cite my source.

But you can have it, brother. You can have it.

I'm switching. You got everything you need. I like that.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. All right, I'm gonna do a rapid top five.

Okay.

Ready?

Yep.

All right. Who's a better dancer? You and Ray Lewis.

Me he got his squirrel. He got the Ray Lewis Dan. But everything else is Sizzle.

Okay?

Yeah.

All right. Tougher opponent. Brady or Manning?

Brady. All day.

Right.

Brady don't make no mistakes. Yeah. And he'll. He'll make you pay for yours.

There it is.

Yeah.

If you could sack one quarterback one more time, your last, your final sack, who would it be?

Ben Roethlisberger. Really? It's the only. Right. Yeah. Ben Roethlisberger. Okay. Yeah.

Makes sense. Makes sense. Who's the best trash talker you ever.

Face that I ever faced? Yeah, man, we didn't have some good ones. Now, I would say. I would say Steve Smith, but, you know, he ended up becoming a Raven.

Yeah.

Saying. But Steve Smith is pretty good. Steve Smith and. And Pac Man Jones and Pac Man.

Okay.

Those are two great ones. Yeah.

Small guys, too.

Yeah.

That's when you know you in for a fight, when the small guys talk.

Hey, yeah, man. You ready? Both of them are dogs.

Yes, sir. All right, last one. When the movie, the biopic of T. Sizzle comes out. Who's playing Sizzle?

Michael B. Jordan. Easy.

No hesitation.

Easy. Like, I want them to erase every picture I got and put him.

You know what I'm saying?

Like, yeah, this is what scissor look like, you know? I mean, all women love Michael B. Joy. Michael B. Jordan. Easy. So if it wasn't him, you know, if it didn't come out, like, in the next couple years. So the Rock would be out. The Rock is out. So who is that? Who's the new guy they want him to be? He played MC Ran and. And. And. Oh, I know you're talking about, I think, Eldeste Rhodes. Okay.

Yeah. Okay, cool. Well, what's Sizzle up to now, man? Like, what do you want the people to know? What you up to now?

Just being dad, man. I'm just being dad. That's pretty much it. I go to what they call it. What we had was aau. They call it like EYBL now. They got different, you know what I mean? It's basically, I'm at one of them tournaments every week. You know, My daughter just had like a dream tryout in Atlanta, so. So I think we find out today if she made it or not, but if she don't, I love that she had the experience, you know what I'm saying? My daughter's 6, 2 going into her senior year, so trying to get this scholarship and. Yeah, man, I'm just enjoying being dad. Like I said earlier, it's the best job in the world. And I love it. Cause I'm the parent that kind of wants to embarrass the kids. Like when you pick them up from school playing old hip hop. I'm out there dancing or something. So I definitely love my new job, my new full time job. So yeah, I love it, brother.

I love it, man. Well, I am proud of you for who you are. I'm proud of you for the things that you do and everything you've accomplished. And like I said, bro, just keep shining that light. Cause people like me need it every day from you.

Thank you, brother. I appreciate that, man. I appreciate the love.

Absolutely. Where can people find and follow you?

Hey man, you know Instagram? That's pretty much the only one. Oh, I got Instagram and know X I guess they call it is just untou. Untouchable J55 there it is. Untouchable J at Untouchable J on both Twitter and Instagram.

You got it. I'll make sure I put that in the show. Notes for everybody. Sizzle, man, I appreciate you more than you know. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to to hang with us.

Thanks for having me, man.

You got it. For all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.