The 'big' Johnny Layton interview

February, 20, 2012
Feb 20
02:49
PM ET
By Mike Sinclair

Ben KarpinskiJohnny Layton week runs all week long on the Vans site.

One of the biggest snaps in the business and one of the biggest boys out there is Mr. Johnny Layton. JLay is a basketball fanatic who loves to give his own up-to-the-minute sports updates, even if you're not interested.

Layton once told me if skating doesn't work out, he's down to be a sports analyst. For now though, the skating seems to be working out just fine. So much so, that this week is Johnny Layton week on the Vans site. Get the inside scoop on JLay below, then head on over to Vans.com for exclusive features with Layton all week long.

ESPN.com: Who coined you as "Big Boy?"
Layton: I don't know. Who was it? Was it Leo [Romero]?

I'm not sure.
You know what I think: It was Nick T. [Trapasso] and Leo loved it so that's all he calls me. It's a funny nickname.

Do you enjoy eating at Shoney's Big Boy?
I don't think I've ever eaten there. Someone owes me a meal that's for sure.

I'm sure Leo would love to treat you to a Shoney's Big Boy dinner.
I'm sure he would make a day of it.

Who are some of your favorite Big Boy's out there who kill it?
Andrew Allen. I love his skating and we've been on a lot of Vans trip. Oh Ed [Templeton]! Ed's the best big boy there is.

Ben KarpinskiBigspin heel.

How many wings could you eat and still switch tre?
Man, I don't know. I can't eat that many wings. I get full after 8. Shawna brings wings home from Taco Surf sometimes, and I can't usually cram all 12 down. I could shovel down all 12 and still switch tre for sure. It doesn't take much to switch tre.

Top three favorite food spots in Long Beach?
MVP's, Grounds. Park Pantry

Top three favorite food spots in North Carolina?
Cook Out, Bojangles, Q Shack

You recently bought a house in Big Bear, did you just like that fact that you could tell people that the Big Boy now resides in Big Bear?
Yeah, it's tight. Big Bear Big Boy! I'm waiting for Leo to get me a Welcome to Big Boy's Big Bear carved out of wood for the front door.

Pick one person in skateboarding you would call "Big Bear" who actually might like it?
Ed, he's got that bear belly instead of a beer belly. Ed's basically a big vegan bear. He's one of a kind.

You have a lot of things in 2012 from what I hear. Filming for a Toy Machine video and a Vans video?
I'm gonna be busy. I'm really excited to have stuff to work on. It's easier to work on a project when it's set in stone. Toy video will come out first. I'm just stoked to put stuff out there.

When can we expect to see both of these projects finished?
Toy Machine video comes out Jan 2013 and Vans video comes out after that. No set date that I know of yet.

Do you listen to Big Boi from Outkast?
Nah, I don't listen to Outkast.

Ben KarpinskiFrontside feeble.

Do you hate Lil' Wayne because he's so small?
[Laughs] Nah, nah, I like Lil' Wayne. I got tickets to see him play, I got front row tickets and took Collin [Provost] and Drew Lu with me it was so awesome.

Do you own a big dog?
Nah, I got two little dogs. Two little psycho Boston Terriers.

How about a big truck?
I had to get rid of the luxury Lexus and went with the big boy big truck. You can do big things in that big truck.

Do you have big feet?
Size 11 so yeah, they are on the bigger size.

What's the biggest thing you have ever ollied?
Maybe the Pulaski double wall ollie.

Thanks, Big Boy!
No problem thanks to ESPN, Vans, Toy Machine, Theeve, Pig, Mob, Bones Swiss, Furnace Skateshop!

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