As competitive as Dustin Pedroia was/is, he has always said that his mother was the be-all, end-all in that category. It's a reality that he reiterated recently when talking to the Rock Hill (SC) Herald about who was the best ping-pong player in his family.
"I would have to say my mom, believe it or not. Because if she’s not going to beat you, she’s going to fight you before it’s over," the former Red Sox second baseman said. "I’m dead serious about it. She’s flat-out crazy. She’s 5-foot tall, takes care of all her brothers, everybody and she’s ready to compete like you can’t believe."
And guess who Debbie Pedroia grew up originally fine-tuning her competitive nature against? The man who is responsible for trying to take down Mac Jones and the Patriots' offense, Sunday: Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow.
Oh yeah, Snow just happens to be Debbie's brother and Dustin's uncle.
In regards to that side of the family, Pedroia added in his conversation with The Herald, "My mom is the oldest out of all her siblings, and she is probably the most competitive. She didn’t let Phil (Snow) or Tim or Dave get away with anything. If you play my mom in ping-pong, tennis, cards or anything, it’s a straight up — you feel like you’re in a fight. It’s crazy. And if you get all of them together, it can escalate quickly. They want to win and they don’t care how they are going to do it. That’s just how we’ve grown up. ... It didn’t matter if I was playing Wiffle ball in the backyard with my uncles, it was always a competitive environment and you were going to do your best to compete."
This weekend, New England fans are going to be reintroduced to that family's competitive nature, once again.
The 65-year-old Snow is making his second appearance in the NFL, having served on the Detroit Lions' staff from 2005-08. Prior to joining the Panthers, he was current Carolina head coach Matt Rhule's defensive coordinator at both Temple and Baylor.
"Uncle Phil" has left an impression on a Panthers defense, which carries the the fourth-fewest passing yards in the NFL, with only two other teams allowing fewer first downs.
But well before joining the Panthers, Snow imprinted his mark on a young and up-and-coming second baseman.
"He’s going to teach first and foremost," Pedroia told The Herald. "He’s going to put the team in the best situation to succeed. It doesn’t matter if it’s football or anywhere else in life, that’s what he’s going to do. I remember when I was getting recruited to go play baseball, Phil would tell me, ‘Hey, listen, one of the best situations for you is at Arizona State because not only would you be around better players and coaches, have the best weather to continue playing in the fall, but you’ll know if you’re capable enough to play at the next level.’
"That’s the way he teaches defense. He’s going to motivate them to play hard every single play. That’s one thing with him, if you play hard, he doesn’t get on you. That’s how it is and how he grew up. That’s why he’s going to be successful. I know you guys are surprised by the way the defense is playing this well this quickly, but he’s got a gift that people gravitate to him and he can find a way to get to them."
For the complete question and answer with Pedroia regarding his uncle, click here.
