Q&A with Tyler Ervin

Packer: Tyler Ervin

Number: 32

Position: Running back

College: San Jose State

Draft: Fourth round, 2016

Season: Fourth

Age: 26

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 192 pounds

Q: What was the rollercoaster like during the 24 hours between being released by Jacksonville and being claimed by Green Bay?

A: It feels good. My main thing is I’m just glad to be playing. I’m excited about the opportunity.

Q: Is there any difference between returning a kickoff and returning a punt?

A: Once you get the ball in your hands, it’s really about trying to make a play and make a smart decision. That’s what I try to go out there and do. And, most of all, have fun.

Q: You were a barber in college?

A: When I was in college, I took the trade of doing the stuff with the clippers very seriously. I loved it. I started cutting hair when I was maybe 16 and carried it through and got better. Before you knew it, I had a lot of guys wanting haircuts. I still love it to this day. I don’t have much time to do it but it’s always going to be in my heart.

Q: Where did the interest come from?

A: Really, it’s because of my barber. Me and him were really good friends when I was growing up. I got curious. I’m like, ‘How do you do that?’ He said, ‘Why don’t you start watching?’ I would literally go to the barbershop and watch him cut hair for hours. I finally the savings to go get my first pair of clippers — a pair of Wahl clippers I got from Walmart back in the day.

Q: So, who was the first person brave enough to be your guinea pig?

A: Besides myself, my nephew. At the time, he was maybe 6 or 7 years old. I think he trusts me still but he was my guinea pig to start doing some stuff. You know, I got better over time. By the time I hit college, I was good.

Q: How did it turn out?

A: It was pretty good. Now, if I were to look back at it, I could definitely see some improvement. Once you get seasoned in a craft, you see inconsistencies from when you first started. At the time, I thought it was great.

Q: Did you need his parents’ permission?

A: I talked to my sister. I’m like, ‘Let me do a little something.’ She was cool with it.

Q: I had read that you were cutting the hair of about 35 people back in college. Were they teammates? Classmates?

A: It was a mixture of people. The majority of them were teammates but other people that I had classes with heard about me. It was a good time. I really enjoyed it.

Q: Do you cut your own hair?

A: You know what? I stopped doing my own hair. I had a barber when I was in college that I really trusted and was really good, so I let him handle me while I handled everybody else.

Q: Did you offer your services to your new teammates?

A: Nah, I’m focused on ball now. It’s a great hobby, but I’ve got to hone in on what I’ve got to do on the field.

Q: What’s it like being the new guy coming to a team in the middle of the season?

A: It’s cool. Everybody’s really good as far as making me feel like a brother. Since day one, I’ve been starting up conversation to get to know everybody, so I really feel like this is home.

Q: Do you have to be outgoing to put yourself forward? Or do the guys come to you?

A: You just let it happen naturally. I really try to be myself for the most part. Guys ask me questions and same with me. That’s normally how conversations start. Like I said, let it be natural. Everyone’s been really cool and letting me be myself.

Q: What’s this week been like? The punt-return team was pretty bad and then you get here and have four returns of at least 10 yards. You’re kind of a hero outside of this place but how about here?

A: It’s just part of the game. I think everybody is glad we did something productive but that’s just one game. We have to continue to go out there and prove it as a unit. It’s not just me. Everybody did a great job last game. We have to replicate that performance and do even better this next game.