Alex Green's confidence grows.Tom LynnRunning back Alex Green rolls into the end zone for a touchdown in a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.By Martin HendricksSept. 19, 2012 | (0) CommentsGreen Bay - Alex Green received his indoctrination into the Bears-Packers rivalry.The second-year running back trotted on the field with about five minutes left in the second quarter. He took a handoff from quarterback Aaron Rodgers and burst right up the middle and into the heart of the Chicago defense.The hard-charging Green was met head on and stood up by Corey Wootton, the Bears' 6-foot-6, 270-pound defensive end, and driven back after a 2-yard gain.Midway through the fourth quarter, Green's number was called again.This time, the 6-foot, 225-pound back was met at the line of scrimmage and hammered down for no gain by linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher."It was my first time actually playing against the Bears; I was inactive last year," Green said with a smile. "It was fun. It was intense as everyone said it was going to be. We knew coming into it would be a good physical game and that's what it was. It was an awesome experience for me."Those were the only two carries of the game for Green. The stats sheet will show he gained 2 yards.Last season as a rookie, he rushed just three times for 11 yards and caught one pass for 6 yards.His promising season was cut short when he blew out his knee blocking on a Green Bay kickoff return at Minnesota in Week 7.The third-round draft pick from the University of Hawaii was just beginning to earn the confidence of the coaching staff, which translates into a bigger role."I'm 100 percent confident," Green said after the Bears game. "It's coming and getting better, and as long as I'm progressing, I'm fine with it."Green's comeback could add yet another element of speed to the Green Bay offensive arsenal. He showed a flash of his big-play potential during a 17-yard touchdown run on a perfectly executed screen pass from Graham Harrell in the exhibition finale against Kansas City.No matter who was in front of him this season, Green's goal is learn and contribute. "I want to help my team win," he said. "My time will come."Here's a few more tidbits you probably didn't know about Green.Born: June 23, 1988, in Portland, Ore.Residence: Portland.College: University of Hawaii. Attended junior college at Butte College in Oroville, Calif. Played with Aaron Rodgers' younger brother, Jordan, and won a junior college national championship in 2008.Status: Single. Has a girlfriend and two children: Harlym, 4, and Kingston, 2.What I'm watching on TV: "Everybody Hates Chris," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." - I know it's old. "Dancing With the Stars" -- had to watch "Drive" (Donald Driver).Favorite movies: "Ali." I like the message in the movie. I watch that movie twice a week. In college, I watched it three times a week.What's in my iPod: Lil Wayne, Drake, Tupac Shakur. I like hip-hop and R&B.My ride: I have a 2011 Dodge Durango right now.Favorite books: I don't read too many books lately other than my playbook. One of the best books I ever read was on Walter Payton.Favorite foods: I'm a seafood guy. I like shrimp scampi a lot. I love Red Lobster; it's my favorite restaurant.Favorite video games: I play Madden. I'm the best on the team, too, and you can quote me on that. As long as I think that, that's all that matters.What's on my bucket list: To see the world and travel before I die. I've seen a lot of the U.S. and Hawaii. I'd like to go to Europe first and then make my way around from there and see as many countries as I can.Favorite football player and team growing up: As a kid, I watched Detroit because of Barry Sanders. (Note: Green never saw an NFL game in person until he came to Green Bay.)Other sports I enjoy: I tried basketball in high school a little bit but nothing for real. Football and track were my main sports.What I've learned since my rookie year: Patience. I came here behind a lot of great players, so you have to take a seat back and watch and learn.Strongest attribute: Passion. I've been through a couple of things in my past, so I play with a purpose. When I work out, when I practice, when I watch film, when I study the playbook, it's for a reason. To prove to myself you can overcome with faith.Obstacles I've overcome: I've had some personal stuff in my life like homelessness, being away from my kids. I slept in my car for a few months in junior college. I found out I had dyslexia when I got to Hawaii. The injury and rehab; I've never had surgery before. It's been a long road to get here (the NFL), but that's what keeps me working hard and looking forward.
