Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive tackle Brian Bulcke, left, celebrates his sack on Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Tino Sunseri during the first half of their CFL game in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, September 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett
It’s no secret that we snagged some pretty awesome new additions this offseason. Included in that mix is DL Brian Bulcke, who immediately won brownie points in this interview by informing us that he looks like Buzz Lightyear.
Read on and get to know all about the big guy with the even bigger personality.
You’re the general manager for a day. What’s the first thing you do? Hahahaha. Uh, oh this is a tough one. Breakfast burritos for everyone. Every morning. Mandated all season long. Non-negotiable for the entire season. Breakfast burritos with chorizo, salsa and guacamole.
Favourite movie? The Last Samurai. Tom Cruise is the best, I’m a Tom Cruise fan. I think he had the Oscar stolen from him that year. I’m just going to go ahead and say it! The guy pumps out great action flicks and The Last Samurai is a great one about self-sacrifice and discipline. It’s my favourite.
People say I look like? Buzz Lightyear. I’ve also been getting Joe from the REDBLACKS. I know, its kinda weird but, maybe I could be the Argos mascot. I know. Feel free to edit that. Haha!
Biggest Fear? I actually have a small phobia of heights. I’m fine with secured heights like rollercoasters, planes, all that kind of stuff. You have me jump on a chair to change a light bulb and like “oh no, I’m going to die.” It’s anxiety city. Ya it’s a weird thing in the world.
Do you get vertigo? I don’t think so. I’ve been on tons of like roller coasters and extreme rides and stuff and I’ve never gotten sick. So, it’s just, it’s just weird. I remember one Christmas going seven steps up the ladder and I must have been paralyzed, putting up Christmas trees and I had to jump off.
When I was a kid, I totally believed: I thought milkshakes were a good recovery food after a game or practice. Strawberry milkshakes. I had one after every single game. I used to hate, hate football when I was really little. I was the nerd who wore my glasses under my helmet and I was all small and the only way my dad could get me to commit to it was to get me a strawberry milkshake after games.
Most embarrassing moment? Getting pulled from a game in college. I missed a sack against Jeremiah Masoli and my conditioning coach pulled me. It was on the goal line and he ran it in for a touchdown.
Something you’re terrible at? Um, I’m pretty good at everything. Honestly, I’m terrible at remembering dates, numbers and names. Terrible. Like it’s embarrassing. I have to look at my phone all the time, or reference notes, or look online. Maybe it’s because I know so many amazing people.
Wait…how do you keep your football schedule then? I write everything down in my phone. All the time. I can show you my phone right now, I have: wakeup, eat breakfast, have workout, go to gym, stretch.
How do you feel about being on the other side of the Argos/Ticats rivalry now? Oh I love it! I can’t wait for June 23. There’s nothing better than playing in the city that I live in.
Favourite football moment? Winning the Orange Bowl at Stanford. We were ranked #4 that year. Two of my teammates were Andrew Luck and Richard Sherman. It was a pretty incredible.
The biggest lesson you learned from your dad? Keep fighting. He really taught me to trust how much my body can take and how many times you can get back up. I really take that to heart every game.
Crunchy or peanut butter? Oh, crunchy. Love the texture. No one likes smooth.
Tell us a secret about Bryan Hall or Justin Hickman? B Hall thinks he’s an amazing dancer, but I think Hick has the moves. Just got to find out in training camp. We’ll have to have a little dance off.
What is your pet peeve? People being late. If you’re five minutes early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late, and if you’re late you’re forgotten.
We may have covered this with your milkshake answer….but what’s your favourite junk food? Haha! Ya, milkshakes are up there. I mean I don’t know if that counts as food, but hands down milkshakes. After that? You know what’s good is some chips and a seven-layered dip.
If I wasn’t playing football, I would be? An engineer. Actually, I have my bachelors in mechanical engineering and masters in industrial engineering from Stanford. My friend and I started a sports tech company in college and ended up selling the majority of it, but I still do that on the side. I’ve always had a fascination with technology and startups.
Were you a troublemaker in school? I was teacher’s pet. Student body president, teacher’s pet, drama club, theatre, robotics team, chess club, debate team. I was trying to get that academic scholarship first.
Get shoved in lockers often? Yep! Made me tougher. I was bullied all the way until I was bigger than all the rest of the kids in school.
Hidden talent? I’m trying to think, I don’t even know. None. And everything is out in the open. Open book. If I had to pick one it would be computer programming. I know that sounds weird but I’m really good at that tech side of things.
Best part about getting to play in Toronto? On June 23, after a big play, I’ll be able to raise my hands surrounded by my family, my best friends, everyone that I cross on the street that I care about in the city. And I’ll be able to do that every weekend. It’s incredible. Wakes me up in the morning.
What can fans expect from Brian Bulcke? Fight. Just rip, snort, snarl, growl, non-stop motivation every play.
Favourite trashy TV show? I’m a huge Game of Thrones fan. Huge huge, huge, huge. There’s also a new show called Lucifer, that’s so good.
What are your thoughts on getting to play at BMO Field? I’ve been a part of three Grey Cups, and one of the biggest reasons behind coming to Toronto this year was that I just feel the momentum, the team, the people, coaches, players, everything that’s going on is just signalling that the city is going to be all in.