TMI: James Wilder Jr. the journalist?

If he wasn’t playing football, James Wilder Jr. would likely be my colleague! The Toronto Argonauts running back went to school for communications and hopes that after his football career was finished he would do something in front of or behind a camera.

He really only watches cartoons, including one of my favourites, Pokemon! He also couldn’t even get through telling me the story of his most embarrassing moment without laughing. He stopped mid-story twice to laugh about how embarrassing it was for him.. you’re going to love this story.

And the 25-year-old knew right away which one of his teammates he’d want to be stranded on a deserted island with. Seriously. He looked around after practice to think about it for about half a second before he decided.

Get to know more about last year’s Most Outstanding Rookie in this edition of TMI!

Kristina Costabile: Tell me something fans may be surprised to learn about you.

James Wilder Jr.: I’m a cartoon watcher. I watch more cartoons than anything. I pretty much (watch) Pokemon. (Editors note: James has also said in the past that he listens to the Pokemon theme song before games, tweeting this: “Random fact I listen to POKEMON song every morning n before every game…its my oldest child favorite song and it reminds me of my motivation.”)

KC: What do you like to do in your free time?

JWJ: In my free time I’m just chillin’. I just like to hang out. Still figuring out the city a little bit to find out new things. Wonderland with the family and stuff like that. Niagara Falls. Just trying to find out new things and places around the city.

KC: How are you liking Toronto?

JWJ: I’m loving it. I still have a lot to do. I’ve been to Wonderland, Dave and Busters, Niagara Falls. A lot more places to still go. Looking forward to it on free time.

KC: If you were not a football player, what would you be doing?

JWJ: If I was not a football player hopefully I’d be doing your job! I went to college and majored in communications hopefully after that’s what I plan on doing. Hopefully that works out. I’d probably be behind or in front of the camera.

KC: What’s on your pre-game playlist?

JWJ: We have a little bit of Drake, a little bit of Meek Mill, some DJ Khaled in there. Lil Wayne, of course. Those are the main ones.

KC: Do you have any pre-game superstitions or routines?

JWJ: Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill has to be played. Starting off the game, I always run my four laps. Four kids, four laps for four quarters. I do it all the time. Before every game I always say my prayer when I first come on the field before I run my laps. Make the FaceTime call to my oldest daughter. She’s here now so that might change now. That was before because she was in the States.

KC: What’s your favourite football memory?

JWJ: Grey Cup. Grey Cup in the snow and how that game went down. It was just the excitement and the snow was just like a fairy tale. Snow falling down and the way we won, it’s just like a Friday Night Lights movie or something.

KC: If you could be stranded on a deserted island with any one of your teammates, who would it be and why?

JWJ: Dylan Wynn! (laughs) Dylan Wynn because that guy is always exciting talking about hunting, fishing, (saying) ‘I can make a fire out of this and that.’ I’ll survive with Dylan Wynn. I wouldn’t even be nervous at all.

KC: What three things would you have to have with you on that island?

JWJ: I’ll have my cellphone so I can go on social media so y’all can know where to find me! Give me a Bluetooth speaker, I’ll be able to relax on the beach. If I could have some music, my phone I’ll just kick it back and relax. I’ll be good with those two things.

KC: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

JWJ: I would have Flash powers. Like I just left and came back and you didn’t even notice. That would be pretty cool.

KC: What is your most embarrassing moment?

JWJ: Oh my gosh.. this is embarrassing. (laughs) This is really embarrassing.. I was in the ninth grade and my now wife, was my girlfriend.. (stops to laugh) Her mom was supposed to be at work and I knocked on the door, trying to look good, shirt off, and her mom answered the door. I don’t know if she took off or not. I was just like, ‘oh my gosh, sorry!’ Her mom is cool, she eventually laughed about it. We still bring it up all the time. Luckily she’s a proud mom in law now so that worked out, it worked out good so no complaints!