University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Inside Look With Dom Barber
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
A: Definitely my parents. My older brother (Marion Barber III) also, but mostly my parents. They taught me to be humble and that life is not always going to be about me. It’s got to be about family, friends and teammates. I think that’s been a big part of my life.
Q: What reality television show would you have the best chance of winning?
A: Survivor. I think I could survive. I’m not a big fan of the bugs, but I think I could last on Survivor.
Q: Do your have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: Oh, yes. Definitely. Chris Ashton, one of our trainers, has to tape my ankles and then I do everything left first. Tape the left ankle first, then the right. I put on my pads on left first then right. I tape my wrists left first then right. Even when I put my shoulder pads and jersey on I put my left arm through first then the right. Everything I do is left then right.
Q: What’s playing in your IPOD right now?
A: Lil Wayne. I think he’s one of the best rappers alive. My favorite song of his is “Sky’s the limit”.
Q: If your house was on fire and you could only save one possession what would it be?
A: My cell phone.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about playing football?
A: My teammates and the coaches. The family we are able to build is unbelievable.
Q: What has been your greatest Minnesota football memory thus far during your career?
A: As a freshman I had the opportunity to be on the field at the same time as my brother. He was returning punts and I was on punt block. That was a pretty special.
Q: Who is your favorite superhero?
A: Batman. He’s got the car and the gadgets and he can just come out of nowhere.
Q: What’s the one TV show that you cannot miss?
A: Lost. I’m a big Lost fan. The mystery always catches me. You never know what’s going to happen next and just when you think you’ve got it figures out it’s over and you have to wait until next week.
Q: If you could play another sport in college what would it be?
A: Hockey. I played hockey for 15 years before I came to school here. I love the physical nature of it and it’s intense like football except for on skates.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Minnesota football?
A: The tradition. My pops went here talked about the tradition. You see it all around and Coach Brewster is bringing a lot of it back.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about playing for Coach Brewster?
A: His passion and desire for the game. He wants us to be ourselves, to make plays and go out on the field and be excited. The excitement that he brings to the team is amazing.
Q: What is your favorite movie of all-time?
A: Bad Boys I and II are big. But what’s in my DVD player right now is Finding Nemo. I have a younger brother and he’s really gotten me into these animated movies.
Q: If you had to pick one word to describe yourself what would it be?
A: Unique.
Q: Which teammate’s car would be the best candidate to appear on pimp my ride?
A: Mike Maciejowski’s Blazer. It looks nice on the outside, but the inside has no A/C and the back door on the inside is torn off. It’s a little beat up.
Q: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
A: Ned Tavale. Even if you’re having the worst day of your life, somehow, someway he will make you smile.
A: Definitely my parents. My older brother (Marion Barber III) also, but mostly my parents. They taught me to be humble and that life is not always going to be about me. It’s got to be about family, friends and teammates. I think that’s been a big part of my life.
Q: What reality television show would you have the best chance of winning?
A: Survivor. I think I could survive. I’m not a big fan of the bugs, but I think I could last on Survivor.
Q: Do your have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
A: Oh, yes. Definitely. Chris Ashton, one of our trainers, has to tape my ankles and then I do everything left first. Tape the left ankle first, then the right. I put on my pads on left first then right. I tape my wrists left first then right. Even when I put my shoulder pads and jersey on I put my left arm through first then the right. Everything I do is left then right.
Q: What’s playing in your IPOD right now?
A: Lil Wayne. I think he’s one of the best rappers alive. My favorite song of his is “Sky’s the limit”.
Q: If your house was on fire and you could only save one possession what would it be?
A: My cell phone.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about playing football?
A: My teammates and the coaches. The family we are able to build is unbelievable.
Q: What has been your greatest Minnesota football memory thus far during your career?
A: As a freshman I had the opportunity to be on the field at the same time as my brother. He was returning punts and I was on punt block. That was a pretty special.
Q: Who is your favorite superhero?
A: Batman. He’s got the car and the gadgets and he can just come out of nowhere.
Q: What’s the one TV show that you cannot miss?
A: Lost. I’m a big Lost fan. The mystery always catches me. You never know what’s going to happen next and just when you think you’ve got it figures out it’s over and you have to wait until next week.
Q: If you could play another sport in college what would it be?
A: Hockey. I played hockey for 15 years before I came to school here. I love the physical nature of it and it’s intense like football except for on skates.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Minnesota football?
A: The tradition. My pops went here talked about the tradition. You see it all around and Coach Brewster is bringing a lot of it back.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about playing for Coach Brewster?
A: His passion and desire for the game. He wants us to be ourselves, to make plays and go out on the field and be excited. The excitement that he brings to the team is amazing.
Q: What is your favorite movie of all-time?
A: Bad Boys I and II are big. But what’s in my DVD player right now is Finding Nemo. I have a younger brother and he’s really gotten me into these animated movies.
Q: If you had to pick one word to describe yourself what would it be?
A: Unique.
Q: Which teammate’s car would be the best candidate to appear on pimp my ride?
A: Mike Maciejowski’s Blazer. It looks nice on the outside, but the inside has no A/C and the back door on the inside is torn off. It’s a little beat up.
Q: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
A: Ned Tavale. Even if you’re having the worst day of your life, somehow, someway he will make you smile.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, November 07
Fleck Postgame Locker Room
Thursday, November 06
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Beat Spartans
Wednesday, November 05
Coach Fleck Postgame Interview
Sunday, November 02






