Pro Bowl defensive end Neil Smith left the Kansas City Chiefs to sign with Denver last April.
Q: You own a restaurant in Kansas City, Copeland's of New Orleans. What made you decide to open it?
A: I've always tried to follow in my parents' footsteps. They were the ones who liked to meet and greet people at all times. And I've always just wanted to be around people, and what's a better way of doing it, coming from a family where my mom is probably one of the greatest cooks? So that's why I got into it. A good friend of mine originally started Popeye's fried chicken. His name is Al Copeland.
Q: Thus the name Copeland s of New Orleans?
A: Well, there's a little story to it. I used to work for him as a teenager. I used to work at Popeye's fried chicken when he owned it. Doing what?
Batter, and frying chicken. I used to always see At come up with his Ferrari Testarossa when he would come around and check out the places. And I was just like, "OK, I like this." I would talk to Al and tell him I love that car and tell him I was going to get one like that one day. And I said, "As a matter of fact, I'm going to buy me one of these Popeye's." Just jokingly. He said, "OK, when you get the money to buy one, I'll sell you one:" I know he sold the Popeye's franchise and went into the restaurant business. He had the Copeland's for franchises and I went to him and I brought the story to him. He laughed because he vividly remembered it.
Q: If people from Denver go to Copeland's, what should they be ordering?
A: It's a Louisiana cuisine type of restaurant. We do great pasta dishes and real good on a lot of fried food. But if I had to choose I would have to say - oooh man, I've got 84 different items on my menus - but I would have to go with one of the pasta dishes.
Q: What's your favorite?
A: I really don't have a favorite. I taste it all. What's your favorite dish that your mother makes? Mom always put things together, and she did it so quickly. I would have to say probably her smothered chicken.
Q: What's smothered chicken?
A: Smothered chicken. What she does is fries the chicken and smothers it in this nice thick brown-looking gravy. And , we put it over a bed of rice with our green vegetable on the side and some ' bread. That's great. Hasn't your mom cooked for some of your teammates when you were with the Chiefs?
If we go anywhere close to New Orleans, she cooks for us. Jumpy (Geathers) asked me to make sure that I if she ever cooks for us, she cooks gumbo because she's a real good gumbo cooker.
Q: Is the restaurant business something for after your football career?
A: I would think so. I was getting prepared to see if there was something I wanted to do when I retired. The restaurant is great because I like to be there at all times and learn the business a lot. I really enjoy it. What's your overall favorite food? I really don't have one. I love all food. I love to ear. But if I had to pick one thing, I probably would have to say red beans and rice. Cooked real good.