1 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: We're back with another Skull Stories presented by three M, 2 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. Tonight, we're 3 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: catching up with former Vikings cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock. Welcome back 4 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:18,319 Speaker 1: to Skull Stories presented by three M and Tonight, I 5 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:20,159 Speaker 1: have the pleasure of catching up with one of my 6 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:23,279 Speaker 1: former teammates. He played in the league for eight seasons, 7 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: including stints with the Patriots, Panthers, and the Vikings. His 8 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: two year run in Minnesota included the spectacular nineteen ninety eighteen, 9 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:36,919 Speaker 1: where he recorded seven interceptions, including three pick sixes in 10 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: that season alone. He's a former tar heel with a 11 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 1: knack for big plays. Please enjoy my conversation with number 12 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: thirty seven, Jimmy Hitchcock. Well, it's my pleasure to bring 13 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: in former New England Patriot cornerback and Minnesota Viking cornerback, 14 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: one of my favorite guys, one of my favorite teammates 15 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: from ninety eight Jimmy Hitchcock. Jimmy, how are you doing? 16 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: How's it going? 17 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 2: Oh? Good man, I can't complain. That's good. I got 18 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,319 Speaker 2: six kids for them out of college. I got twin 19 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 2: girls that left waiting for them to get pick college 20 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:10,960 Speaker 2: and think them buy me RV. 21 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: Let's just say there, you get yourself up. You got 22 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: yourself a hockey team, right. So we're going to go 23 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 1: back in time for you in the beginning and there 24 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 1: it's a pretty amazing story. You you were born and 25 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: conquered North Carolina, went the you know, went to high 26 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: school there and ended up going to North Carolina. But 27 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: this was this was the most you know, kind of 28 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: the thing that everybody talked about or at least said, hey, 29 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:37,040 Speaker 1: you know this about Jimmy was that you tore both 30 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:39,840 Speaker 1: of your acls in high school and you did not 31 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: have them repaired. You talked about people are like, you 32 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: know Jimmy, so yeah, I know Jimmy. Hkak. Why They're like, 33 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: you know, he doesn't have any a cls. We're like, 34 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: no way, no way, And sure enough that's the case. 35 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: I mean, how did you survive. I can't even imagine 36 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: I tore mine in ninety nine. I don't know how 37 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:57,559 Speaker 1: you survived without them, man, I don't. 38 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: I don't know what happened there. But I tore my 39 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: left in the ninth grade and in the tenth grade, 40 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 2: I tore my right just I was cutting back on 41 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 2: an intercession and trying to run it back and cut 42 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 2: back and blew out the left and then I was 43 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 2: actually celebrating. I bought a punt and jumped up and 44 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 2: to celebrate, came down and twisted my right and it 45 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 2: was after finding out it was torn, I was like, 46 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 2: what when in the world? You know? But I really 47 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 2: had a coach named Coach Sunbury who always preached to 48 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 2: me that you need strong the strongest squads you could 49 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 2: possibly get. So he would always tell me the squat, front, squat, power, clean, 50 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 2: and back squat as much as you can. And that's 51 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:44,519 Speaker 2: what I did in high school. So when I left 52 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 2: high school, I was squatting about four p fifty and 53 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 2: I went on to college. Yeah, I went on to 54 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 2: college and I was squatting like the six hundreds. So 55 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:56,119 Speaker 2: I really didn't think about my knees until the draft 56 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 2: when they started. When it started coming up, I didn't 57 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 2: even think about it because I ran four to three 58 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,239 Speaker 2: to three for the Pro Wow on my pro day, 59 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 2: so I was I wasn't even thinking about my knees 60 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 2: until they started checking it out the combine and then 61 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 2: I realized it was a problem. 62 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: Now you were drafted in the third round by the 63 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: New England Patriots nineteen ninety five, having been through that process. 64 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: I actually I went through it, I think a year 65 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 1: before you did. The way that they prode and pull 66 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 1: and twist. Do you attribute to being a third rounder 67 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: because of that unique medical situation? 68 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,640 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, I mean it was I was projected to 69 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 2: go in the first round and when I when I 70 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 2: got to the combine, everybody was poking and prod and 71 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 2: all thirty two teams were twisting my knee and I 72 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: had swelling. I had swelling that night. Oh yeah, So 73 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 2: I got into I try to create a little ice 74 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 2: bath so I could run the next day because I 75 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 2: was just determined to run because I just felt like regardless, 76 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 2: I still I'm still going to run four four or 77 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 2: four to three because I was I felt I was 78 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 2: that fast, but I ran really slow, like four or 79 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:05,120 Speaker 2: five in my you know. And then I attributed to 80 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 2: that because you know, it was just too much poking 81 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: and pride that day. 82 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: And you bring up a very you know, sailing point 83 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: in that when you had an injury going into the combine. 84 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: And I don't know if if it's still this way, 85 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:19,080 Speaker 1: but you had, like you said, if you had a 86 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: concern or something. There were thirty two teams that all 87 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 1: wanted to get their hands on you and test you. 88 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 1: And then by the end of the day, because I 89 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: had a shoulder going in, you know, going into the combine, 90 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: and by the next day, I mean I could it 91 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: was killing me because what they put you through exactly, 92 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 1: and I think I don't know if that was done 93 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: on purpose, because they're like, if he survives all these 94 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: you know, all these physicals and he's gonna he can 95 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: walk tomorrow, then he's gonna be okay. 96 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: But it's insane, right right, Yeah, it was insane. And 97 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 2: you know, actually, my my roommate at the combine was 98 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 2: Cory Stringer. Oh my god, of course you guys know 99 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 2: who that is. Yes, So I was, you know, I 100 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: was playing in the Cory, but Corey is like, I'm 101 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 2: out of here. I'll I'm not even gonna try. I'm 102 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 2: not doing anything, you know. So Corey, Corey left, you know, 103 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:08,480 Speaker 2: and left me to the room. I had the room 104 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 2: by myself. Oh that's nice, but but yeah, I was. 105 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 2: It was kind of came full circle you know with Corey. 106 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: Oh my god, that's you. I guarantee you had some 107 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,919 Speaker 1: laughs every time. I mean being around Corey, Yeah, you 108 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:20,920 Speaker 1: just could help a laughing. 109 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, he was, Yes, Corey, it was funny dude, man, 110 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 2: funny dude. 111 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: And so you were drafted in the third round by 112 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 1: New England and then traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 113 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: ninety eight, and so you come in and you get 114 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: to see Corey again. What did what did you say 115 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: when you saw Corey? When when you came back and 116 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: when you came here. 117 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,919 Speaker 2: You know, I was because, you know, because Corey he 118 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 2: looked so out of safe. He was telling me he 119 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 2: was gonna be your first round pick. And I was 120 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 2: like what, Like, you know, he was telling me. I 121 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 2: was like, you know, ain't no way you're gonna be 122 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 2: a first round pick. And then when he got picked 123 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 2: on the you know, got picked by the Vikings on 124 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 2: that day, I was like wow. So when I went back, 125 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 2: we talk about, you know, the fact that you know 126 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 2: that they were twisting into Proden on my knees and 127 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 2: I was complaining to him when we had the laughs 128 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 2: about that. And then you know, we ended up going 129 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 2: to a basketball game together and we watched the Big 130 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 2: Ticket at the time, you know what I mean. So 131 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 2: it was some there was some good times, you know 132 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 2: with you know, with Corey. Corey was a phenomenal dude. 133 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 1: Now you I think one of the things that you 134 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: brought or you were able to do as a corner 135 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: was was play some you know some three dep some 136 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: off coverage and then you were an absolute, absolute ballhawk. 137 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: You had sixteen starts in your career, seven interceptions, you 138 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 1: had three pick six. This is this is just nineteen 139 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 1: ninety eight. Now I'm not talking about your career well 140 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 1: one of seventy nine yards of fumble recovery? What did 141 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: what did you learn at New England when you came 142 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,359 Speaker 1: over here to to the Vikings and you were going 143 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: to go against or be with a team that was 144 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 1: so offensively powered that teams I remember playing, We played 145 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 1: more nickel than than what he had planned, just because 146 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: teams are always trying to come from behind. But the 147 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: opportunities that you had in ninety eight. 148 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I was a huge film studier and 149 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: I'd come from Bill Belichick was my position coach from 150 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 2: in ninety six, and in ninety seven we at the 151 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 2: New England Patriots, see Carroll had taken over. So those 152 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 2: are the two of the best defensive back coaches in 153 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,679 Speaker 2: the history, you know, no question the history of the NFL. 154 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 2: I think Pete might be number one in Belichick number 155 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 2: two as far as teaching guys the defensive back position. 156 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 2: So I had that tutelage before I came to the 157 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 2: Minnesota Vikings, and the Vikings just needed to me just 158 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 2: just one more piece because Dwayne Washington had left in 159 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 2: which was me at the corner. And I could see 160 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 2: where I could take advantage of some things because when 161 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 2: I got there, I watched the entire season of the 162 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 2: previous year. I watched the entire season to see what 163 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:05,679 Speaker 2: the corners had done, and I told Tory and Gray 164 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,239 Speaker 2: at the time, Hey, I'm going to get five picks 165 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 2: at least this year and in one touchdown at least, 166 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 2: you know. So I started the season out thinking that 167 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 2: that was going to happen, and I ended up with 168 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 2: seven and three, you know. So it was just, you know, 169 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 2: I think it was just so just the opportunistic type 170 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 2: of defensive set that they played. We play a lot 171 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 2: of three deep, and we were able to read the 172 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 2: quarterback a lot, and I was able to study the 173 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 2: quarterback and take advantage of some of their mistakes. 174 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:34,199 Speaker 1: And so you come here under an offensive coach and 175 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: Denny Green. Then I look at playing for guys like 176 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. You wore 177 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: pads all the time, right, you hit all the time, 178 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: and then you come here with Denny Green, who was 179 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 1: you know, really raised under the West Coast Bill Walsh 180 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 1: type systems. A little it was a little different. I 181 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: remember Dixon Edwards when he came here saying, you know, 182 00:08:56,760 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: going from from Dallas and Jimmy Johnson when you know, 183 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:03,199 Speaker 1: they came back from a preseason game from Tokyo and 184 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 1: they went right to the practice facility and worked on 185 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,440 Speaker 1: kickoff coverage in full pads because he wasn't happy with 186 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: you were from that type of a system and then 187 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 1: to come here in ninety eight and not being pads 188 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: a lot, you you had to have enjoyed that. 189 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I mean, thinking back on it, you know, 190 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,960 Speaker 2: my first year at the Patriots in training camp, we 191 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 2: had three a day, and we had multiple days of 192 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 2: three a days and then one day we had practice 193 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 2: with three pads for three consecutive practices. Three days, three 194 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 2: consecutive practice so it was passed all day. 195 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 1: There wasn't even a question of how you were addressed. 196 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: It just put him on right right. 197 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 2: You just put on the pads, you know, three practices, 198 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 2: three pad practices, three straight days. It was. It was 199 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 2: just a grueling mess. And and but the next year 200 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 2: paid off. We end up going to the Super Bowl. 201 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:02,599 Speaker 2: But when I went to the Minnesota Vikings, it was 202 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 2: about speed. It was about you know, being healthy, it 203 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 2: was about being in practicing going as fast as you can. 204 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,839 Speaker 2: And I think that that and what Pete's system was 205 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 2: the same way. So you are able to just be 206 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 2: yourself a little bit more, you'll be be a little 207 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 2: bit more relaxed, you know, a more relaxed atmosphere in practice, 208 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 2: but going full speed at all times. And that's what 209 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 2: the key was. That's the key to the success of 210 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: that West Coast style, is that your full speed at 211 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 2: all times. 212 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: Stick around for more Skull Stories presented by three M, 213 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 1: the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. We'll be 214 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 1: back with more from Jimmy Hitchcock right after this. Welcome 215 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 1: back to tonight's edition of Skull Stories, presented by three M, 216 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. From the 217 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: Field to the roof and everywhere in between. Three m. 218 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:54,199 Speaker 1: The official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings is here. 219 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: Visit Vikings dot com slash skull science to learn more. 220 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: Now let's get back into our conversation the former Vikings cornerback, 221 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:05,840 Speaker 1: Jimmy Hitchcock. Do you remember dislocating your big toe? 222 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 2: Yeah? 223 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, okay, I because you remember that. Of course, 224 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 1: I'll never forget it because I remember there was a 225 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 1: it was a pass or a hitch pass right in 226 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,079 Speaker 1: front of our bench on the sideline, and you came 227 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 1: up and hit a guy, and then you got up 228 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: and walked off the field, and I remember looking at 229 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 1: your shoe and I could see the bulge popping out 230 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 1: of the top of your shoe. And you went to 231 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: the bench, and I remember walking over there saying, my god, 232 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: I gotta see what's going on here. You're toe it 233 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: was pointed in the wrong direction, you know what I mean? 234 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: It was. It was crazy because people ask what was 235 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: AstroTurf like, and I tell them that story. That's the 236 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: story I tell about your toe pointing north when you 237 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 1: got off the field. 238 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was bad. But the worst injury that I 239 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 2: had was my finger being ripped off in the in 240 00:11:56,960 --> 00:11:59,719 Speaker 2: the game against the Rams. I mean the top of 241 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 2: my finger, like so you know, like where you crease 242 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 2: at the at the very bottom of your fingernail, you 243 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 2: have a little bone there that that hinges, right, yeah, 244 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 2: So from there up it had been ripped off. And 245 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 2: and I go back to the sideline and what and 246 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 2: what's his name, the trainer's so Freddy looked at me 247 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 2: and and I'm on the sideline and I'm like, oh 248 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 2: my god, it hurts. And he was like, man, you 249 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,679 Speaker 2: got a finger. Get your ass back up, your back 250 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 2: in that game. It's a finger. It's cocky, is so 251 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 2: soft like. So, so I go back out there and 252 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 2: I'm playing, but halftime is right around the corner. I'm 253 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 2: praying the halftime gone. So we go into the locker 254 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 2: room and I said, Freddy, check my finger. Man, It's like, 255 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 2: I think something's wrong with it. So I take off 256 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 2: my glove and he taken off the glove. Here he 257 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 2: almost vombited because the finger was ripped off, and they 258 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 2: and they actually sold it back on at halftime. They 259 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 2: towed it back on. I go out and I get 260 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 2: a pit to get the offense back to the ball. 261 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:07,320 Speaker 2: And we end up winning that game, and you know, 262 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:11,080 Speaker 2: off of that pick. But that night I end up 263 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 2: having I end up having surgery, which is that I 264 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 2: had two situations with my fingers. Both of them were 265 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,959 Speaker 2: like that night. It was the most excruciating pain that 266 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 2: I've felt. I've had all kinds of stuff done to 267 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 2: my body, but that was bad. 268 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: I'm sorry to bring that up, but I just remember 269 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: that toe injury and then you taught me with that. 270 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: You taught me with the finger getting torn off. Well, 271 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 1: I'll add that to the pile of stories that that 272 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:39,320 Speaker 1: I tell in my you know, in my old age. 273 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:43,319 Speaker 1: So you're you're now involved. You started a nonprofit called 274 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: Village Reconstruction that helps kids that have been involved with 275 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: the criminal justice system. Uh, tell us a little bit 276 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: about that. 277 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, We what we do is try to concentrate on 278 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:56,439 Speaker 2: kids with missing parents and kids doesn't you know, maybe 279 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 2: on the wrong path or have had run ins with 280 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 2: the judicial system. So what we do is we just 281 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 2: have kind of a boys group and we talk to 282 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 2: them mentor them, talk to them about their grades. But 283 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 2: the biggest thing that we talked talk to them about 284 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 2: is conflict resolution. Okay, because we want them to stay alive. Right, 285 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 2: Resolving conflicts peacefully is the way we want to teach 286 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 2: these kids, or what we want to teach these kids 287 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 2: to stay alive because these little conflicts that they're having, 288 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 2: it's about the internet and post online and the gun 289 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 2: get becomes involved at times, and what we want these 290 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 2: kids to do is just be kids, enjoy their childhood, 291 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 2: try to stay away from the gangs and things like that. 292 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's it's a little bit different, a lot more 293 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 1: landminds these days than when we were kids. 294 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 2: Right, absolutely, Man, it's just crazy out here right now. 295 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 2: It's kind of it's kind it's very sad that we've 296 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 2: really ignored the children as much as we have. 297 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 1: How many kids are you able to work with? And 298 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: what does that mean? How many lives have you able 299 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: to touch in the stories of people that you've been 300 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: able to get set in the right direction. 301 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 2: We started a program three years ago. We started a 302 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 2: nonprofit called Black Community Reconstruction, but we weren't getting at 303 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 2: a lot of participation because I think people thought because 304 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 2: it was called Black Community Reconstruction that it was more 305 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 2: for black people, But it was really about the reconstruction 306 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 2: of the community to a more of a village type 307 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 2: of situation, like it takes a village, so we had 308 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 2: to change the name. So we changed the name to 309 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 2: a more inclusive name, which is Village Reconstruction. And what 310 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 2: we do is we reach out to those people and 311 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: that's in the community and a lot of our people 312 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 2: that's in our organization or teachers, so we actually get 313 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 2: the kids from the teachers. And as far as being 314 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 2: able to touch these lives, it's been about a year and 315 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 2: a half that we've been doing it consistently where we 316 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 2: have the program for about a year and a half 317 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 2: and we've been able to get some kids to focus 318 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 2: on their grades, get good, good grades because what we 319 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 2: do is reward them with things like going to the 320 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 2: Panthers games, going camping, various trips that we put together 321 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 2: to horn It's games, et cetera. So so we've been 322 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 2: able to touch a bunch of lives and be able 323 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 2: to keep up with a bunch of kids through this organization. 324 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 2: This I think it's going to be a very positive 325 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:25,400 Speaker 2: thing in the Charlottle area. 326 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: No, I'm sure it already has. And I can't wait 327 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 1: to see what you have in store down the road. 328 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 1: So Jimmy my final question, and thanks again for your time. 329 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 1: You have the team here at starting zing three, okay, 330 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 1: and what advice if you were in that locker room, 331 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 1: what advice would you be giving your teammates as far 332 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: as how to navigate such a you know, a slow 333 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 1: start like such like this to to your teammates. 334 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would, I would tell them if I was 335 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 2: in there, you know, I would say, you have to 336 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:04,639 Speaker 2: really become obsessed with the very small details. You have 337 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 2: to become obsessed with it. You can't overlook the very 338 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 2: minute things that the opponent does and in the very 339 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 2: minute things that's in your playbook. And I remember being 340 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 2: in the championship game against the Atlanta Falcons, and I 341 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 2: went into that game with one play on my mind 342 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 2: that I wasn't sure about and I really didn't get 343 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 2: a complete understanding about that play. And that play ended 344 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,240 Speaker 2: up with mathis going over the middle and catching the 345 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 2: ball for a touchdown in the end zone from about 346 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:44,360 Speaker 2: the ten yard line. All right, So, if you as 347 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:48,640 Speaker 2: a player, you're having problems or thinking about a play 348 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 2: or understanding a play, or understanding a playbook, get in 349 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 2: there and get some understanding and pay attention to the 350 00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 2: very very small minute details of everything that's going on. 351 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:04,160 Speaker 2: And if you do that as a player, and you've 352 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 2: pay attention to that film room and you go in 353 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 2: the film room and get some extra time, things will 354 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:11,919 Speaker 2: turn around. And all it takes is about three or 355 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 2: four plays in the game to swing the game to 356 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 2: your favor. So that's what I would say, is, you know, 357 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 2: it's nobody's fault. You can't point to blame here or there, 358 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 2: because it's those five plays that either you're going to 359 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 2: make or it's going to be made on you. 360 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: I mean, you carry the wisdom of a Mac Brown, 361 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 1: of a Bill Belichick, a Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll. You 362 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 1: need to write a book. 363 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 2: I was thinking about that. I'm really thinking about it. 364 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 1: Yeah you should. I really got I. 365 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 2: Got a story to tel. I definitely got a story 366 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 2: to tell for real. 367 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:45,879 Speaker 1: This weekend, I Viking go down south and play the 368 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 1: Carolina Panthers and hopefully we'll all be able to catch 369 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: up Saturday night. You're looking forward to seeing everybody again, 370 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 1: or at least some of the guys again. 371 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing everybody. And 372 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 2: I appreciate you guys reaching out to me and having me. 373 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 2: But yeah, I'm looking forward to it is two teams 374 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 2: that I played for. Two teams does zero four. I 375 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,360 Speaker 2: want to see who who rides to the top. I'm 376 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 2: not pulling for anyone. My time, my time at Minnesota 377 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 2: was a special time, you know. 378 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: But going back yeah, but going back home to uh 379 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 1: Carolina to finish up your career, that had to have 380 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: been pretty special for you as well. 381 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 2: It was good. But we went one in fifteen one 382 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 2: of those years. So it was yeah, yeah, so we 383 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 2: fifteen and one to one and fifteen, you know, wow, 384 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 2: So it was it was, It was exactly how it sounds. 385 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm not watching enough film, I guess, is that 386 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:39,879 Speaker 1: what you're saying. 387 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, we had all right, we had some situations hears. 388 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 1: All right, Jimmy, thank you, Yeah, I look forward to 389 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: seeing you Saturday night. All right, all right, man, take 390 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: care well, big thank you to Jimmy for joining the 391 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: show tonight. You know, Jay, let's do a quick look 392 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 1: ahead at the game on Sunday. We're heading down to 393 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:59,360 Speaker 1: Carolina where both squads are looking for a win two 394 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 1: weeks in a row. Fo us for that. Our old 395 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: friend Adam Feelin has called this a playoff game quote unquote, 396 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:08,200 Speaker 1: which in reality that's pretty much the case, and there's 397 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 1: no doubt that we're going to get his best game. 398 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:15,920 Speaker 1: So the Panthers last week, we're without Bryce Young, meaning 399 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:18,119 Speaker 1: trust a veteran Andy Dalton filled in and he had 400 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,879 Speaker 1: a solid performance against Seahawks, throwing for three hundred and 401 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 1: sixty one yards and two touchdowns. And the other other 402 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 1: people that you need to know, Miles Sanders very good, yep. 403 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: DJ Chark Junior, Yes, very good. They're very dangerous. It's 404 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: you know, Chark is the guy I think that Dalton 405 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 1: likes to go to when he needs the big play, 406 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 1: you know, the fifty to fifty. 407 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 3: Ball and then there it goes and in a big 408 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,440 Speaker 3: you know spot for Andy Dalton. He's a veteran, he's 409 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:47,239 Speaker 3: been around, he's seen it all. We've played against him 410 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 3: when he was with Dallas and you know, gave. 411 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,200 Speaker 1: Us fits to So how do those turn out exactly? 412 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,360 Speaker 3: So that's the thing, like you know, going into this, yeah, 413 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 3: you might be on a backup, but it's not your 414 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 3: typical backup quarterback. So it's going to be something that 415 00:20:57,800 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 3: they're definitely have to game plan now for two guys, 416 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:01,640 Speaker 3: depending on you know, if all of a sudden Bryce 417 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,439 Speaker 3: decides to go, you're just going to get probably two different, 418 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 3: you know, games out of those kind of quarterbacks. But 419 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 3: in the end, you know, they're both dangerous. 420 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: They've got a lot of good they have a lot 421 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: of talent on that defensive front, and also I know 422 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:13,920 Speaker 1: they have a lot of injuries as well. To the 423 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: back end. They're twenty seventh against the rush and tenth 424 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: against the pass. We may be seeing a number of 425 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 1: new bodies in that in that Carolina secondary, So I 426 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 1: think that's where you know, I think a bit of 427 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: a bit of an opportunity is going to be there 428 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: at the linebacker position as well. Uh So, plenty of 429 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:35,200 Speaker 1: opportunities kind of like a repeat of the Chargers with 430 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: some of these types and play actions and opportunities in 431 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:41,200 Speaker 1: that respect. But either way, it's going to be it's 432 00:21:41,240 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 1: going to be a dogfight this Sunday, no question about it. 433 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 3: And I think both teams know that at this point, 434 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,040 Speaker 3: just it's such a critical juncture. You know, going zero 435 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 3: and four is going to be something that's going to 436 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 3: be a huge amountain to try to climb at that point. 437 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,600 Speaker 3: So hopefully, you know, on our end at this point, 438 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:56,399 Speaker 3: just all the small things that have been kind of 439 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:58,040 Speaker 3: biting in the butt here for the first three weeks 440 00:21:58,040 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 3: get ironed out. 441 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,200 Speaker 1: Right and and for both teams it's you go into 442 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 1: last week, there's a must win. No one wants to 443 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 1: be going three. Well, you're on three. Well, this is 444 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 1: a must win. You know you can't just you might 445 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:12,200 Speaker 1: play like a playoff game, but it's still just different 446 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 1: in the fact that week after you can't go through 447 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: that must win scenario week after week after week after week. Right, 448 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:20,520 Speaker 1: you just just got to make the two or three plays. 449 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:24,159 Speaker 1: And Jimmy Hitchcock pointed it out perfectly. The devil's in 450 00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 1: the details and it's just a player too. That changed 451 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,199 Speaker 1: the tide of the game. And that's it. We just 452 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: have to make those plays. Thank you again for tuning 453 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 1: into another additional Skull Stories presented by three M, the 454 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,600 Speaker 1: official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. See you all 455 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: again next week.