Q&A with Reporter, Former NBA Scout Bonnie-Jill Laflin

Bonnie-Jill Laflin interviewing jockey Mike Smith for Fox Sports. (All photos courtesy of Bonnie-Jill Laflin)
Bonnie-Jill Laflin was the first and only female NBA scout for the Los Angeles Lakers, and she currently works as a reporter for FOX Sports and BBC. She has been awarded a Super Bowl ring with the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers and five NBA championship rings.
A former NFL/NBA Cheerleader with the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers and for the world-famous Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, Laflin has traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq for Goodwill and USO (United Service Organizations) tours — with 19 tours under her belt. Her accolades in the sports industry include broadcasting jobs for ESPN, CBS, FOX and NFL Network. Additionally, Laflin hosts a Fantasy Football and Basketball show on Sirius/XM Satellite and is a host for the Jordan Brand. Her philanthropy work for both the military and animal welfare is a passion for Laflin, which caused her to form her Hounds and Heroes charity. Laflin and her father own two racehorses. 
Name: Bonnie-Jill Laflin
What I do for a living: Sportscaster and first and only female scout in the NBA
How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing: My father owned racehorses even before I was born, so I was introduced to horse racing right out of the womb!
LAFLIN ON HORSEBACK AS A CHILD

My favorite racetrack: Del Mar and Saratoga
My favorite Thoroughbred racing event: Kentucky Derby
Other sports/teams I follow: San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing: Nationwide racing commission that mandates all disciplinary actions that are honored by all states that have racing.
What I would like to see less of in Thoroughbred racing: Less racing to ensure longer careers and fewer injuries for our beloved horses.
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Speed, electrifying and athleticism
First Thoroughbred track I ever attended was: Bay Meadows Race Course
Favorite all-time Thoroughbred: Secretariat is my all-time favorite, but also Zenyatta and California Chrome, since I’ve spent time with both horses and did a segment on Chrome for Fox Sports.
LAFLIN WITH CALIFORNIA CHROME

My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing: When my first horse, Lil Miss Hollywood, won at Del Mar!
Best racetrack food can be found at: Del Mar
My favorite jockey: Mike Smith
My favorite trainer: Doug Utley, Brian Koriner and Art Sherman
My heroes: My father and our military
Person in Thoroughbred racing I’d like to have dinner with:  Penny Chenery
My philosophy on life: “Live life to the fullest.”
“We were put on this earth to make a difference, so do your part to give back.”
Favorite quote or motto: “Don’t Dream it be it.”
Favorite animal other than a horse: Dogs and sloths
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Cheering at the Super Bowl when I danced for the San Francisco 49ers.

Favorite food: Mexican ... I could live on chips, salsa and guacamole.
Favorite vacation spot: London
Favorite cities: Dallas and San Francisco
Favorite musician/band: Johnny Cash and George Strait
Favorite all-time movie(s): “Wizard of Oz” and “Hoosiers”
Favorite TV show: Currently, “Blacklist” and “Gotham.” All time, the show “Dallas.”
Favorite hotel: Atlantis Bahamas
Websites I visit daily: ESPN, FOX News and my charity site http://www.HoundsandHeroes.com
What I drive: Hybrid Cadillac Escalade
Pet peeve: Smokers, narcissists, and bad drivers
Favorite movie about horse racing: Seabiscuit
Which actress would play me in a movie: Angelina Jolie ... I love her!
Alma Mater: University of Texas
Favorite radio shows/channels: “The Jim Rome Show,” Sirius/XM country and sports stations
Favorite memento: My cross and American Flag given to me during one of my USO tours visiting our troops overseas
Favorite dessert: Chocolate chip cookies
Favorite drink: Orange Crush
Favorite scent: The smell of a horse ranch ... reminds me of home.
LAFLIN WITH ZENYATTA

What I like about my job: The people I’ve met in my career have become my best friends. Working in sports is doing what I love and dreamed of.
Favorite tech gadget: Apple TV and my iPad
Twitter handle: @BJLaflin
People I follow on Twitter: Sports, military and animals
No. 1 Bucket-List item: Have my own animal sanctuary ... rescuing all animals.