Starpulse had the opportunity to chat with Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor about his stint on the latest season of Dancing With The Stars, how it compares to football, and who he thinks is his biggest competition.

How did your involvement in this season's competition come about?
I’m asking myself the same question - all I know is my agent presented it to me, started selling me on it and between him and my wife, the next thing you know I’m living in LA!

How is training for the competition different then training for a football season?
It’s actually more grueling from a cardio standpoint - football plays last only about 10 seconds while a dance is about 2 minutes - the extra minute fifty is tough.

Is your NFL training coming in handy during the competition?
The biggest crossover is that in football and dancing you have to accept coaching, which I’m very used to - Edyta is a demanding coach and again that’s what I’m familiar with. Also, the strength training I do will come in real handy when I have to start doing lifts and supporting Edyta!

Who would you predict to be your biggest competition this season?
Everybody, I’m just a big football guy! If I had to predict though, probably Mario, Kristy Yamaguchi and Marissa Winokur because they all make their living basically performing and dancing.

How is dancing with Edyta Sliwinska? Is she the toughest coach you've ever had?
She’s unbelievable! Absolutely the toughest coach I ever had but also patient and a great teacher - sometimes you can have a tough coach but they don’t always get their point across. What she can do on a dance floor blows my mind!

Former NFL player Emmitt Smith won the competition in the past. Can we expect another NFL trophy winner this season?
I haven’t dusted off the mantle for the trophy but I’m going to work as hard as I can and we’ll see what happens.

Interview by Dan Chruscinski
Starpulse contributing writer