Gladiator talks about etching

He’s known as “Gladiator” because of his strength. But Georgia Tech middle linebacker Brad Jefferson could be knows as “The Barber of the Flats.”

Jefferson sat down with me for a few minutes to talk about the defense, leadership and cutting hair. Look for more on the defense and leadership in a story in next week’s paper. 

For now, here’s our abbreviated Q&A:

AJC: I’ve heard you are a good barber is that right?

BJ: [Laughter]

AJC: Have you cut anybody’s hair on the team?

BJ: I cut like five people. Joshua Nesbitt, TJ, Martin Frierson. Morgan Burnett.

AJC: Burnett let you near his hair?

BJ: I etched him up. I etched him up. Too Tall. We call him Too Tall. Emmanuel. Who else? Did a couple other people.

AJC:Where did you learn that skill?

BJ: Learned it by myself, messing up on my own head. I had the money to get a haircut but didn’t really want to spend the money to get a haircut. So I worked on myself.

I messed up plenty of times on myself. When I got it downpat that’s when I started doing other’s.

AJC: That’s what hats are for right?

BJ: That’s why I’m wearing one now.

AJC: What’s your favorite style to cut? Your favorite etch?

BJ: I just do even all over. I can’t do any other haircut. I’m not a professional.

AJC: Just slap a No. 2 on there?

BJ: Yes. I can’t do fades or design. You’re getting a straight hair cut if you come to me. Now if you want me to try it on you, I will. But I’ll tell you before, I’m not a professional.

AJC: You come from the same hometown and high school as Herschel Walker right? Did you root for him on Celebrity Apprentice, even though he went to Georgia?

BJ: You always root for the home team, it doesn’t matter where they go. Always root for the home team. Doesn’t matter if he went to Georgia or not. He’s from my hometown. Really had no choice but to represent.

AJC: What do you like to do, other than football…and barbering?

BJ: Just hang out with the fellas. Sit out on the bench in the front of the dorms and talk the night away.

AJC: What do yall talk about?

BJ: Not going to tell you everything we talk about. Just talk about the season. Can’t wait on the season to begin. Stuff like that.