Nick Roach, the starting linebacker for the Chicago Bears and former Northwestern football player, Weinberg ’07, will be grand marshal at Friday’s Homecoming parade. Roach started 32 games during his NU football career and was the recipient of the Northwestern Gridiron Network Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award as a sophomore. He caught up with The DAILY to talk pro football, his best memories from NU and how he went from an undrafted free agent to a starting player in the NFL.Daily: Why did decide to marshal the Homecoming parade?
Roach: I feel like it’s a pretty big honor just to be asked to be in the parade for the University on such a big weekend for the whole school. It’s pretty much just my way of showing my support, not just for the weekend but the whole University in general.
Daily: How often do you visit NU?
Roach: Usually, the way it’s been going, it’s been once a year whenever our bye week lines up with a home game for NU. I’d like to come back more, but it’s usually the way it works out during football season.
Daily: What was your most memorable game or moment while you were at NU?
Roach: Probably the win we had against Ohio State (in 2004). I remember it was early in the season, we had a heartbreaking loss the first game of the year against TCU (Texas Christian University) in double overtime. About the fourth game or so, Ohio State was coming into our stadium. Pretty much everybody obviously counted us out. But, after I think three overtimes, we ended up winning. Winning that game kind of shocked the nation at that point.
Daily: What’s it like playing middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears?
Roach: It’s a really cool position as far as being in the middle of all the action, being close to all the tackles and getting to blitz a lot. It’s just a chance to be around plays makes it exciting.
Daily: How have you gone from being an undrafted free agent to a starter with the Bears?
Roach: Obviously, it’s not just one thing to get to that point. Pretty much it’s just been focusing on getting better literally every time you go out to practice or play in a game, not making the same mistakes. Just building off of the good things and trying to eliminate the things that aren’t helpful as far as getting better. The whole thing is kind of just taking advantage of opportunities as they come.
Daily: What’s the pro game like compared to the college game?
Roach: It’s just a lot faster, you have to react a lot faster (and) a lot more quickly to what’s going on mentally. You have to be able to process things faster. And also, just physically guys are stronger, faster, quicker, bigger. Just kind of adjusting to all that.
Daily: What did you enjoy most about your time at NU?
Roach: I think my favorite thing overall was hanging out with my teammates whether it be at practice, around the locker room or on campus in class with them (and) around the dorms. Messing around in Sargent or down in Foster-Walker, wherever it was. Just hanging out and enjoying the atmosphere with my guys.
Daily: You played with (Bears quarterback) Brett Basanez at NU. What’s it like playing on the same team again?
Roach: It’s exciting for me just because you can’t really beat seeing a familiar face, somebody who you go back with a few years as far as the relationship. It’s really cool having him around because we get to reminisce a little bit, and for anybody else in the Big Ten who’s on our team we can gang up on them.
Daily: Northwestern against Indiana this weekend. What’s your prediction?
Roach: Are you serious? Can that even be a question? Northwestern…obviously.[email protected]
