When John "The Tooz" Matuszak isn't playing defensive end for the Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders, he's playing larger-than-life characters in movies such as Caveman and North Dallas Forty. Freelance writer Craig Modderno met with The Tooz over dinner in Beverly Hills. His report: "A lot of people cower in the presence of the self-proclaimed enforcer of football's renegade Raiders. At 6'8" and 280 pounds, Matuszak: is, after all, physically imposing. But he also is intelligent, charming, funny, tough and moody--often within the space of a single sentence. If the Russians ever invade America, I hope they meet up with Matuszak first."

Q 1

PLAYBOY: What do you suppose the public makes of you?

John Matuszak: That's a tough question. I have gone over that in my mind once or twice. I think the public thinks I'm a wild brawler, a guy who doesn't put up with any shit at all. I'm also a guy who cares very much about my public--the Oakland Raiders' fans--and they know I do. For me, to show the fans that I love them is pure delight. The general public thinks I'm a little off the wall. But I can only be myself and avoid mistakes. Most of my mistakes, unfortunately, have been brought to the public's attention through the media.

Q 2

PLAYBOY: Why have the media singled you out?

John Matuszak: I'm a good-looking guy. I keep my nose clean. [He covers one nostril and sniffs loudly] You know what I mean? I do enjoy the attention I get, very much like being center stage. I enjoyed the Super Bowl and the craziness that happened to me there. Last year, I went out one night four nights before the game and got fined $1000. The next day, Philadelphia's coach said, "If he was on my team, I'd send him back to Philadelphia!" I didn't realize that a $1000 fine would be worth so much publicity. It just goes to prove that The Tooz is big news.

Q 3

PLAYBOY: Let's set the record straight. Are you an inherently wild and crazy guy or just an all-American boy gone bad?

John Matuszak: [Laughs] The all-American part is right. The gone-bad part has happened on occasion. But every time it's gone bad, it's been a great time. Except when they slammed the jail door shut. That part I wish to avoid in the future. I never even want to see another jail as long as I live. The last time I went to jail, I was just on my way to a fun party. You know the green traffic lights? The ones that say, "Go straight ahead." We're talking traffic lights here, not green lights from spaceships. And there's a little light that gives you a little green arrow that means you can go left. The only thing that irritates me is when that green arrow turns off and it's red while the light for going ahead is still green. I pay too much in taxes not to have the lights work properly. I took a left and, much to my dismay, I was pounced on by the police. The point is, the cops made me miss a good party.

Q 4

PLAYBOY: Do most people think you're bigger than you really are?

John Matuszak: You could open a whole can of worms right here. Usually, I surprise people with my size. I've never been underestimated. Mom, forgive me for what I have done, but I cannot tell a lie. I've failed only twice with women. And then my excuse was I worked too hard that day. I couldn't get it up just twice in 30 years. That ain't bad.

Q 5

PLAYBOY: Do liberated women have a place in your life?

John Matuszak: I think those are the only kind of women I can deal with. I do like the old-fashioned mixed with the liberated. I like to touch women and be romantic, which is old-fashioned. I'm also for a woman's getting out of the house. Whenever my mom got out of the house, she became much more outgoing. She could see people and talk more. Everyone says a woman's place is in the home, which it is, but it's also a man's place. You've both got to get out and do things, see people and have fun. Having fun doesn't necessarily mean messing around. If you're living with someone, it means respecting her and giving them room to be herself. If a woman loves me and means it, then I wouldn't mind her doing anything. But if she loves me, then she snubs me, I tell her to go kiss my ass. Why hang around?