Sofa So Good
Rookie DE Mathias Kiwanuka, 23, has at least one tackle in each of the Giants' five games. In his second diary entry for SI Players, Kiwanuka, who is of Ugandan descent, talks about living and dining in the NFL.
I LIVE IN A THREE-STORY, TWO-BEDROOM TOWN HOUSE FIVE MINUTES FROM GIANTS STADIUM. I moved in a week before camp. It's not barren--I have my Ugandan flag up in my bedroom--but I haven't had a chance to do much to the place. My whole family recently went couch shopping with me. My mom [Deodata] had the biggest vote, but my sister, Mary, had the most input because she's the most vocal. By the end my brother, Ben, and I wanted to get out of the store. And when it comes to doing my own housework, let's just say I'm a little behind. I was thinking of hiring a maid, but I don't want to just pick up the phone book. My place is a little messy right now.
At Boston College, I spent a lot of time at MCDONALD'S, but I've changed my diet. I try to stay away from saturated fats, and while I probably had two helpings of vegetables in my whole college career, now I eat broccoli and asparagus all the time. I have a lot more energy. I've also started to cook for myself a couple of nights a week--I throw spaghetti in a pot and add some store-bought tomato sauce. I'm going to branch out eventually, but for now I just go in the kitchen, and whatever comes out, I'm happy with.
ONE REASON I WAS HAPPY TO BE DRAFTED BY THE GIANTS IS THAT I LOVE NEW YORK CITY, but we don't have a lot of free time, so I haven't gone there much. On Tuesdays, our off day, I basically just hang around New Jersey. On Mondays I'll get off work and usually have to take someone to the airport--my mom has come to every game, and my brother, sister and girlfriend, Sharon, come to home games. Sharon's a senior at BC. Once a few weeks ago I did go to the city; I took Sharon to Sparks Steakhouse. I had the filet and mushrooms. To be able to pick up and afford a place like that on just an ordinary night is definitely something new in my life.
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DIANA ELIAZOV
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EVAN PINKUS/WIREIMAGE.COM