Taking It To The House

LENNIE FRIEDMAN

Redskins

28-year-old offensive lineman

BRANDON SHORT

Panthers

27-year-old linebacker

ROMAN OBEN

Chargers

32-year-old offensive tackle

EXPERIENCE

Last summer, interned as a page on Capitol Hill for Rep. Scott Garrett (R., N.J.).

Driving force behind, and frequent public stumper for, NFL voter registration initiative that encourages players and fans to vote.

Interned with Reps. Bill Pascrell (D., N.J.) and Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio); has master's degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson.

WHAT I'D RUN FOR

U.S. Congress, Raleigh, N.C. "You can get a lot done on both the national and local level."

U.S. Senate, either in North Carolina or his native Pennsylvania.

Governor of New Jersey. "I think I could do a better job than the guy who's there."

FAVORITE LEGAL LANDMARK

Bill of Rights. "It's what separates America from everyone else."

14th Amendment, granting citizenship and protecting civil liberties of freed slaves.

Brown v. Board of Education

TRUTH ABOUT POLITICS

"You go in with great ideas, and somewhere along the way those ideas get convoluted."

"You have to watch your facial expressions because as a politician you always have to be on."

"You can get invited to a banquet twice a week for the rest of your life."

MOST POLITICAL ASPECT OF FOOTBALL

Interacting with the press. "There's no question you're a public figure. You've got to be able to handle yourself in the appropriate manner."

Pro Bowl balloting. "You end up voting for the people who have the commercials or somebody you see on ESPN."

The hiring of "good-looking coaches. Good football minds like Romeo Crennel, Ted Cottrell, Charlie Weis--the guys who look boring-- just aren't getting hired."