Is Joe Flacco a Elite Quarterback?

What are some of the biggest flaws that you see in how math is currently taught in the US?

Hi John, did the timing of your NFL retirement have anything to do with the NY Times CTE article? I recall it was the day after. Thanks

John,

1. As a Penn State alum, Harvard student, & mod of /r/PennStateUniversity, I just want to say:
   You're my hero.
   You—more than any other player I can think off—embody Success with Honor. You do our great university proud, will always be my favorite cfb player, and frankly, I hope to run into you in Cambridge!

2. Q:

   Who are your heroes?

3. also:

WE ARE!

What was your favorite class at PSU?

What linkages, if any, have you seen between math patterns/sequences and football strategy/playing?

Hey John, Penn State alum here!

I heard you speak when you were a senior, just two months away from being drafted into the NFL and talk about your past hardships. During your time at State, you went through a huge culture shock with the sudden departure of Paterno and the exit of many of your teammates to other schools. Are there any lessons from your five years playing PSU football that are relevant to your tenure with the Ravens or your docterate candidacy at MIT??

In your opinion, who was the smartest player you played with or against in the NFL?

What offensive thing did you say to become an offensive lineman?

We might have an entire cabinet with a secret stash of Hagoromo chalk at MSRI - a mathematician's dream!

Hi John, who was the hardest defensive lineman to block? College or NFL.

Hey John,

I coach youth football offensive line, what would you say is the biggest thing that I need to stress to them at a young age?

Context: I studied computer science and now at 32 started a company in machine learning after working for 3 years. Also I am going back to university to to study mathematics and I have to manage a full course load and my company.

Question: I was wondering how you managed the training AND your course load. What was your typically daily routine like as an undergrad / a grad student? (I listened to the Freakonomics podcast where you explained this a bit but I would like some more details regarding undergrad/grad in specific :-))

I feel like you're saying Joe Flacco is sub par on the down low haha

Can you honestly say you gave the Ravens your all? Especially last season when you were also taking classes?

Hi John!

I have a more mathematical interest. I understand that you research spectral graph theory. I wonder: why spectral graph theory? When you applied to MIT's math program, did you already know you were interested in spectral graph theory (or perhaps just in numerical analysis)?

John what are your favorite white and black chess openings? Are you building a repertoire and/or how seriously will you pursue chess? Any more chess.com videos?

What would you say to a young person who feels discouraged by how long it takes them to work through a math problem?

Are you actually a mad scientist who used football as a way to fund your Doomsday device? But really you are an inspiration to anyone keep being a genius.

Do you feel like you need to challenge the stereotype of what people think the typical math student is? Do you feel the urge to represent us and how diverse we are?

The news that you were also taking full-time courses even during the regular season has not gone down well with some of us Ravens fans, including the ones at r/Ravens, given the inconsistency of the interior line over the season.

How did the organization react to it ? Was there ever a discussion about it after you retired ?

What made you pursue pure mathematics over an applied field such as physics or engineering?

Hey John, huge Ravens fan here.

Just wondering what you'll miss the most about the NFL/Ravens, and what you'll miss the least :)

John, it is nothing short of impressive to balance pursuing an advanced degree at one of the nation's top institutions as well as playing a popular sport at the highest level. My question would be, if you had to pick one, do you think you're better at football or at math?

What's your favorite theorem (and/or favorite proof)?

Can you "explain like I am 5" your math research?

Hey John,

PSU alum and current doctoral student in econ. I actually met with you when you gave a talk at my university in July of 2016. Unfortunately I had to take off to unpack, so I didnt get to hear your talk (my bad). Mathematics is closely linked to economics and its not uncommon for many economists to be infatuated with math. Are there any other fields that you find yourself admiring or fascinated with?

Thanks for being an all around down to earth guy and ambassador for math.

Whose the smarter ex-Raven: Matt Birk or yourself?

Obviously you're great at Math, but were there any subjects you struggled with in high school or college? If so, how did you overcome those struggles and get through those classes?

What changes do you think will be made and/or need to be made in football (particularly at the youth through college levels), given recent research on the dangers of head injuries?

Hi John, huge Ravens fan here..

Just wondering what you'll miss the most about the NFL/Ravens? And what you'll miss the least?

 

Bonus question: What was your routine when you were mid-season AND doing your PhD? It seems like it would be crazy!

What made you interested in mathematics?

Hello John, I enjoyed meeting you at the Mathnasium convention a few year back. Will you ever return to the DMV area?

Just listened to the Freakonomics podcast where you were interviewed extensively. Great job, really enjoyed hearing what you had to say.

How do you feel about the news stories linking your retirement so publicly to the CTE study? Are you comfortable being seen so publicly as an NFL player taking these concerns to heart? And with the attention you've brought to this matter? Or would you rather have just been able to retire quietly?

Hey John, big fan! Congrats (or sorry?) on your retirement. I know you have the answer to this one.. does P=NP??
On another note, since it says on your page you are working on machine learning, what is your opinion on neural networks as taking the lead for many applications, given that it has the "more of an art-form" reputation? Thanks!

Hey John, I am a former o-lineman at western Illinois university and current equipment manager for them! Do you have any good stories about Ty Howel or coach fisher?

Hey John, I'm a Ravens fan, so I have followed your career fairly closely over the past few years.

One of your interviews really struck me when you said that you were ready to play after about 3 weeks, but it took longer until your mind was working the way it normally does. It made me think that NFL may not know half of what they should know about head injuries, and it could be just because it's a very complex subject.

What do you think about the NFL's attempts to reduce these injuries, and do you think the league is getting safer each year? And do you believe the NFL is truly doing all they can to make the league safer?

How much sleep do you recommend per day?

What's your favorite meme?

Hello John,
I have been following you since training days on ESPN.
What kind of music do you listen to prepare you for an important mathematical equation?

which fellow pro football players struck you as having underrated intellectual potential, and given the concussion risks, might have been better off if they were given incentives to pursue something else?

Hi John!

At what age did you discover that you like mathematics? Did you participate in math competitions when you were young?

What kind of dinosaur would you be?

Hi John,

Do you use MCMC in your work? If so do you know of a good textbook?

Has anybody ever messed your last name and confused it with Steve Urkel?

Hi John, have you been to the Muddy Charles yet? That place is great. Gonna try to get your Pirate's License?

Are you interested in an academic career after your PhD or do you think you will try industry, government, or something else?

[deleted]

Hi! I'm curious to hear your perspective on this. Do you think cannabis - CBC - can help reverse or prevent brain injuries?

Hello John. My question is, was Ray Lewis murder-y in the locker room, like he was in real life?