In classical music, love is based on bitin' -- imitation. It's not based on interpretation. A jazz musician, if he plays someone else's song, has a responsibility to make a distinct and original statement.

Frankly I love the word 'nigga.' It is my favorite word in the English language because no other word incites more controversy today.

I wish I was a rapper. There are certainly times when I wish I could just drop an album and channel all my ideas, anger, humor and energy into some music and be done with it.

Network television is not interested in civil rights; they're interested in making money. If things that will generate money are diverse in any way, so be it, but if not, they'll go in the other direction.

We've got some guys who can throw. They just haven't been put in big situations.

He's a good athlete with game-changing ability. Sometimes we use him as a decoy. He also plays both ways all the time and has one interception for a 100-yard touchdown (in a 48-20 victory over Briggs on Sept. 2).