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http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21139066/the-rise-bradley-chubb-nc-state-wolfpack
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Even as a toddler, Bradley Chubb had a motor. He'd sit down in front of the TV to watch cartoons, and a few minutes later he'd be crawling around the couch, bounding from one end to the other. He'd pick on his older brother -- a slap or a bite -- just to get his attention, then rumble back into the arms of his mother, Stacey, knowing he'd get off easy because he was the baby. To get him to nap, Stacey would lie down next to him, and wrap her arms around him like a straitjacket, tethering him to her chest. Still, Chubb would twist and squirm and flop. Eventually Stacey started singing to him, the tune from "Winnie the Pooh" that so perfectly encapsulated her son's personality. "The wonderful thing about Tiggers ..."
His top was made out of rubber, his bottom made out of springs. He was jumpy, bumpy and thumpy. He couldn't help himself.
"My mom called me Tigger," Chubb said, "because I was always bouncing around all the time. I've always had a lot of energy."
Nearly two decades later, Chubb saunters into the NC State weight room, and the strength staff hops into action. Someone will click on hip-hop -- Young Thug, Future, "the down South stuff," strength coach Dantonio Burnette said -- and then they'll watch Chubb electrify the room.
Whatever 300-pound B.J. Hill bench presses, Chubb wants to match it. Whatever 325-pound O-lineman Will Richardson squats, Chubb wants to give it a try, too. The entire time, Chubb is dancing and singing along. Before long, every player in the room has joined the chorus.
Coach Dave Doeren calls Chubb "the catalyst," a title the Wolfpack defensive end isn't quite comfortable repeating, but it's a title he has earned. In the weight room, in the locker room, on the field -- as Chubb goes, so goes NC State. And Chubb goes at only one speed.
"Chubb is the energy guy," Burnette said. "He comes in with the juice."
That juice has helped Chubb rack up 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss -- both sixth nationally -- while boosting his NFL cachet. It's also helped drive an NC State resurgence, with the Wolfpack ranked in the AP top 15 for the first time since 2003. And Chubb and the Wolfpack will put that juice to the test Saturday against No. 9 Notre Dame before returning home for a chance to take control of the ACC Atlantic against No. 7 Clemson.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Even as a toddler, Bradley Chubb had a motor. He'd sit down in front of the TV to watch cartoons, and a few minutes later he'd be crawling around the couch, bounding from one end to the other. He'd pick on his older brother -- a slap or a bite -- just to get his attention, then rumble back into the arms of his mother, Stacey, knowing he'd get off easy because he was the baby. To get him to nap, Stacey would lie down next to him, and wrap her arms around him like a straitjacket, tethering him to her chest. Still, Chubb would twist and squirm and flop. Eventually Stacey started singing to him, the tune from "Winnie the Pooh" that so perfectly encapsulated her son's personality. "The wonderful thing about Tiggers ..."
His top was made out of rubber, his bottom made out of springs. He was jumpy, bumpy and thumpy. He couldn't help himself.
"My mom called me Tigger," Chubb said, "because I was always bouncing around all the time. I've always had a lot of energy."
Nearly two decades later, Chubb saunters into the NC State weight room, and the strength staff hops into action. Someone will click on hip-hop -- Young Thug, Future, "the down South stuff," strength coach Dantonio Burnette said -- and then they'll watch Chubb electrify the room.
Whatever 300-pound B.J. Hill bench presses, Chubb wants to match it. Whatever 325-pound O-lineman Will Richardson squats, Chubb wants to give it a try, too. The entire time, Chubb is dancing and singing along. Before long, every player in the room has joined the chorus.
Coach Dave Doeren calls Chubb "the catalyst," a title the Wolfpack defensive end isn't quite comfortable repeating, but it's a title he has earned. In the weight room, in the locker room, on the field -- as Chubb goes, so goes NC State. And Chubb goes at only one speed.
"Chubb is the energy guy," Burnette said. "He comes in with the juice."
That juice has helped Chubb rack up 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss -- both sixth nationally -- while boosting his NFL cachet. It's also helped drive an NC State resurgence, with the Wolfpack ranked in the AP top 15 for the first time since 2003. And Chubb and the Wolfpack will put that juice to the test Saturday against No. 9 Notre Dame before returning home for a chance to take control of the ACC Atlantic against No. 7 Clemson.
