1 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: Welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast, an NFL podcast for 2 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 1: the players, by the players. Here is your host, four 3 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: team year NFL veteran and Hall of Famer Anius Williams. Hello, 4 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: and welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast. I'm a Nisus Williams. 5 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: This is really a podcast as geared toward legends communicating. 6 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 1: It's like having a microphone in locker room. And I 7 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 1: have London Fletcher, my teammate John Carroll, Cleveland's final This 8 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: got a scholarship in college initially with basketball. Correct, he 9 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: tells me, I'm joking. He tells me he's the best 10 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: basketball player to ever come out of Cleveland, Ohio. Exactly. 11 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:03,639 Speaker 1: They tell hey, Lebron learned from Lebron learned from London. Inspiration. Now, 12 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: Michael Jordan, let's just put that out there. In London 13 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: played seventeen years. Did you ever miss a game? Now? Man, 14 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 1: I miss one in college for suspension. You want to talk, Yeah, 15 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: free agent signy with the Rams and never looked back. 16 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: Part of the greatest show on turf, the part they 17 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: don't talk about the guys that want the defense to 18 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: sign that played a huge role in that team success. 19 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: So welcome they we got Brian Brian Westbrook, that prototype 20 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:40,319 Speaker 1: every down as London say that earlier, every down running back, 21 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 1: which now is being replicated in the league now, that 22 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: versatility catch the ball, lineup a receiver, also tough enough 23 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: in between the tackles. Nine years Henova, who comes out 24 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 1: of I thought basketball cats come out the running backs 25 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: out of Villanova. When they offered me a scholarship, they 26 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: were like, yeah, vill Over wants off your scholarship. I'm like, 27 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: they want me to come play basketball. In my mind, 28 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 1: they just offer me. I did the math, yeah, and 29 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: they were like, no, crazy, of course they don't want 30 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: you to play basketball. They want you to play football. 31 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:14,959 Speaker 1: And I was like, I didn't even know if Villa 32 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 1: Nova had a football team. Nobody knew to know. I 33 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: mean no one knew, but worked out and worked out. 34 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 1: Then we got Chris Cooley. Man originally from Woman? Is that? 35 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 1: What were you? Originally from Woman? Right? And you tough state? Right? 36 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: You tell how many years chriss in the league? Nine? 37 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: Not all with Washington. Okay, it's all with Washington, So 38 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:41,239 Speaker 1: welcome man. We just said a good player too, manh back, 39 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: you know, match up nightmare for defenses. Yeah, yeah, he was. 40 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: He was that could block. But also I always thought 41 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: couldn't be always safeties couldn't cover. I always start for 42 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: the defense. A good tight end was the hardest guy 43 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 1: to match up with. The linebacker couldn't it wasn't necessarily 44 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,360 Speaker 1: a good cover guy necessarily, And the safety was that 45 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: strong safety was an undersized linebacker. But we could talk 46 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: about our perspective turns of how the game is evolved 47 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 1: a lot. But one of the things I want to 48 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: talk about pointedly is we all go through it. Every 49 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: legend goes through it. And that's retirement. Now, what was 50 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 1: your experience like with retirement London? You know, for me, um, 51 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: so I played sixteen years and I was ready to retire, 52 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,519 Speaker 1: and I thought, you know, I'm a retire you know, 53 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: gonna play me some golf for me, you know, just 54 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: um maybe get into some broadcasting, you know, enjoy my 55 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 1: family a lot more, my wife. It was difficult, I 56 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: will say, and it was you know that first year 57 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 1: a year and a half. It really takes it took 58 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 1: me a while to really get comfortable, and you know, 59 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 1: being outside the NFL. So I got my job in broadcasting. 60 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: I went to work for M CBS Sports Networks as 61 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: an a list, and prior to me getting that job, 62 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: you know, it was like a sense of a loss 63 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 1: of identity, like I'm no longer a professional football player, 64 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: but I'm not, like I don't have a title so occupation. 65 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: So I'd see um different people like hey, London, you 66 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 1: know you retired, Now what are you doing? And I 67 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 1: felt like I needed to give them an answer, like 68 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 1: have an answer for them, something to justify my first 69 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: question of all questions. It's just so, what are you 70 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 1: doing now? And they look at you with almost empathy. Yeah, 71 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 1: I don't have to be doing anything, but yeah. And 72 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: then and I struggled with that, and I mean, I 73 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: I made a lot of money, so it wasn't even 74 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: about needing money. It was feeling like I needed an 75 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: answer to feel significant. And once once I got that job, 76 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: you know CBS, It's like, Okay, yeah, I feel good 77 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: about myself now because I have an answer, but not 78 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: realizing that I should have been okay, so you know what, 79 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 1: I'm just kind of taking my time and drawing retirement 80 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: enjoin my family. I think that's what guys really struggled 81 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:07,599 Speaker 1: with the most, is that sense of a loss of identity, like, 82 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: what's my identity? We play sports from the time where 83 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 1: you know, six seven years old until I rail. We 84 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 1: all want to retire and that has been our identity. 85 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: But now what's my identity? It took me a good 86 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: year year and I have to really get comfortable in 87 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 1: my transition. What about you, Chris? A little in like London, 88 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 1: I was injured, I had my nie scoped, and I 89 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: didn't want to be done. I wanted to play more. 90 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 1: I didn't necessarily want to leave the Redskins. I was cut, 91 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:45,679 Speaker 1: which just happens everybody, which was just totally fine. I 92 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 1: was way too prideful to go compete for a job 93 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,920 Speaker 1: somewhere else. You want to pay me tell me on 94 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: the starter, Sure no one did. The first training camp 95 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: out was heaven. Remember like the two weeks before training 96 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 1: camp July where you always get that. I always got 97 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: that since the first year I was having Then you know, 98 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: you get questions of you know, what are you doing now? 99 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: And I immediately started doing radio for the Redskins. And 100 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: I've been really, really fortunate to work out of the 101 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 1: Redskins facility every day since I've left, So that's I 102 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 1: have that kind of the bond, the coaches and stuff. 103 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: But for me, the first two years were really hard 104 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,799 Speaker 1: because I was talking on the radio and you're getting 105 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 1: to know me a little bit. I really don't have 106 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: a very good filter, and I try to be very 107 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 1: honest with what I do, and players that teammate, players 108 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 1: that I played with, didn't like it. I kind of 109 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,280 Speaker 1: built a wall between guys that I played with and 110 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: guys that I was friends with. And I hated it 111 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 1: that I that I hate that I that I and 112 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 1: I but I have no filter. But I hated the 113 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: guys didn't like me, okay, and so it was really 114 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: really hard for me for the first couple of years. 115 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 1: It's gotten better because most of the NFL turns over 116 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: most of the team stuff that they're not they're not 117 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: guys that played with, so they don't look at me 118 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: the same way. I've also gotten better at saying things 119 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 1: so they can't be transcribed the same. Yeah, I get 120 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: a sense of moments, Okay, how do I say this? 121 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:25,200 Speaker 1: So when you transcribe it, it doesn't it doesn't headline 122 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: the thing that I miss, Like, I hated that the 123 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: thing that I miss and it wasn't necessarily identity and 124 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: I don't think I need to need that right now. 125 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: I didn't win or lose. I don't win or lose. Ever, 126 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: I don't know, there's no way. But there's no competition, 127 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 1: there's no there's no highest level competition. And in the 128 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: NFL there is daily and practice. How do you perform 129 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: it when you go back and we grade practice and 130 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 1: watch tape and you know what you did that day, 131 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: and there there's no prep for some in goal. I 132 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: like my job a lot, and I talk sports, and 133 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: I'm very fortunate, but I don't leave work and high 134 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 1: five somebody wow, or walk out with that pit in 135 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: your stomach of could have, should have didn't just walk out? 136 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: And I used to so I and I'm really fortunate 137 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: to call the games, and I love traveling with the team, 138 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: and I love being a part of everything. For the 139 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 1: first couple of years, I used to have almost that 140 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: butterfly feeling before the game. I don't even walk out 141 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 1: on the field anymore. I still love what I do, 142 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 1: but there's no there's no fear of failure, there's no 143 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: I don't know, there's no any of losing, So I 144 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 1: don't that's that's something that you have to think about 145 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: how you create in your life, so that that's the 146 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 1: one thing that I missed the most. You know, it's weird, 147 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:51,120 Speaker 1: like for me, I had a little different journey. So 148 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 1: my junior year in high school, I was one of 149 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 1: I was just a highly recruited player. I end up 150 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: tearing my a c L. So my senior in high school, 151 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: I played five games. And so you go from a 152 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: player that was highly recruited about a lot of schools 153 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: across the country to a player where you have to 154 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 1: scholarship offers literally too. So your mind shifts like, Okay, 155 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: it's not gonna be the NBA, it most likely won't 156 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 1: be the NFL. You gotta go find a job. So 157 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 1: now I wasn't thinking about going to college to prepare 158 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: myself for the NFL. It was prepared myself to get 159 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: the best job possible. So you choose Villanova. You know, 160 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 1: I go there and I do well, get lucky to 161 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 1: get drafted. But my mindset still is, I don't know 162 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:35,839 Speaker 1: how long this NFL thing is gonna last, so I'm 163 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: gonna take advantage of it, hopefully make as much money 164 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 1: as I can. And whatever money I have then I 165 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: wanted to you know, start working like a real job. 166 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:48,439 Speaker 1: And you know, I was blessed enough to make enough 167 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: money in the NFL where I didn't have to go 168 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: work afterwards, and so I remember it like it was yesterday. 169 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 1: Maybe on the first couple of weeks into the season, 170 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: Troy Vincent came to my rookie year. Was like, listen, 171 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: rook and Troy Troy. He's a great dude, but he 172 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: would just he would say some things, and you you 173 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 1: don't understand it as a rookie, but his his thing was, 174 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 1: you need to start planning for retirement now. And I'm like, Detroit, 175 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 1: I literally just got here. You know, I'm just happy 176 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 1: to be here, but I don't I'm not ready to 177 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: plan for retirement. But what he was trying to say 178 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: is that throughout your career, if you see something you like, 179 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: now is the time to take advantage of it. If 180 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: you really want to be an announcer and sports analyst, 181 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 1: you probably want to start a little bit before he retired, 182 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,199 Speaker 1: because now is when why you're playing this. When you 183 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: get the phone calls back as soon as you're done, 184 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 1: they're like, it will We'll call you, but it won't be. 185 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 1: It won't be right away. And so for me, after 186 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 1: I retired, I felt like, all right, that part of 187 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,959 Speaker 1: my life was over. The football part of my life 188 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 1: was over. Now it was let's transition to something different. 189 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,719 Speaker 1: And so for me it wasn't hard. I didn't lose 190 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:55,079 Speaker 1: my identity per se, but I felt like, all right, 191 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 1: that's cool, but now let's enjoy the parties that you 192 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: missed for you know, nine years, for twenty years while 193 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 1: you're playing football, the birthdays, the holidays, things like that, 194 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 1: and my retirement gave me an opportunity to enjoy those things. 195 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 1: But now because I'm around the game so much, talking 196 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 1: about the game so much, I've really missed the game. 197 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: So it's for me in retirement, it's been amazing. You know. 198 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: I never knew that my career was going to take 199 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 1: the course that it did, but I'm glad that it did. 200 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: And now the most beneficial part for me is that 201 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 1: we have this platform that people want to hear what 202 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: we have to say, and they respect what we're saying 203 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:32,680 Speaker 1: because we've been there. And so when I talk to 204 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 1: these kids and they're young kids, these are young men 205 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 1: born in the late nineties, they were getting they were 206 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,200 Speaker 1: born when we were graduating high school and they're saying, 207 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 1: I remember when you. I grew up watching you play, 208 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: which is still kind of eerie to me, and I 209 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 1: patterned my game after you. It's an eerie feeling still 210 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: for me at times. That's one of the things that 211 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: even with Troy, I'll never forget. How I got connected, 212 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,559 Speaker 1: re engaged with the league was because I knew about 213 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 1: so many resources that are available that players didn't know about. 214 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: It's like they didn't know and agents weren't doing a 215 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: good job of post career of making their players their 216 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: clients aware of here's what's available, counseling literally psychologists, not 217 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 1: as transition coaches. And now the league of the owners 218 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 1: understand how important it is now to re engage man 219 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: seeing Ryan Leaf and see him get it back back 220 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: around the guys and and these guys telling about what 221 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:33,960 Speaker 1: that's like because we all know the psychology. Like Crag 222 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: you mentioned it was an injury that that you transition 223 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: out of. Thinking about how many guys and most don't 224 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:43,839 Speaker 1: leave the game on their own volition. Most don't leave 225 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:47,320 Speaker 1: the game when they were ready the door was closed. 226 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: So some of it is connecting with a transition coach, 227 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 1: getting connected, getting signed up with the Legends community. Who 228 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: understands it besides somebody being in it. It's London. It 229 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 1: just feels good to be around somebody who's going through 230 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: what you've gone through. Just just have those conversations. I mean, 231 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: you know, we know what it's like to go through 232 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: those training camps to you know, make a make a team, 233 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,679 Speaker 1: make an NFL roster, you know, have the struggles and 234 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: highs of win, the loads of a loss. You know, 235 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 1: just to go about that and we all, you know, 236 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: from different teams. You can talk about your days and 237 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 1: filling or I can talk about you know, man, the 238 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 1: Monday night, you know game we played and you shook 239 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: me in the whole and the first thing I think 240 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: about that everybody is watching that I was about I'm 241 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:36,200 Speaker 1: about to light them up like this, Brian West been 242 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 1: Good's real, you know. But just how we were preparing, 243 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:43,079 Speaker 1: you know, the preparation to go against you and stuff 244 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:45,559 Speaker 1: like that. Just that part of it. But we can 245 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 1: just get amongst each other, talk about the different not 246 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: even struggles, just hey, this is what I'm dealing with. 247 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:53,559 Speaker 1: You know, maybe you have a oh yeah, I've dealt 248 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: with that too, and this is where I you know, 249 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 1: went to get some some help or you know, hey, 250 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 1: such and such, you can help you with that. You know, 251 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:04,439 Speaker 1: I have times forming close friendships outside of football. And 252 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: it's not like I don't have acquaintances and I have 253 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: people that we hang out with, but I don't have 254 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 1: very many things in common with people that live around 255 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 1: me in London County, and so it's been really interesting. 256 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: I've been really fortunately the last year because the guys 257 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: are young, right, the players are they're they're young, and 258 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: the coaches staff, those are those are my close friends. 259 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: But talk about neighbors things like that, we have a 260 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,600 Speaker 1: hard time forming like good male relationships where I feel 261 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 1: like we're close because I had some of those relationships 262 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: in the locker room. So it's it's really strange what 263 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:37,520 Speaker 1: you're talking about when you can sit down and share 264 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 1: some of the things we relate. You and I we relate, 265 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: and so it's it's crazy. Yeah, and maybe kids now 266 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 1: now then you have kids and then your kids get older, 267 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: so you have that in common with other people. But 268 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 1: you know, over the last a couple of years, it 269 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 1: was really interesting. I've met two guys, one played quarterback 270 00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 1: on a couple of Scout teams went to William and 271 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 1: Mary graduated. My year of high school, Wayne Campbell, Uh. 272 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 1: The other guy's name is Jeff Honey pitched in the 273 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: Tigers organization my age. They went high school together, they 274 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: were already friends. It was like a relief. The first 275 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: night I met him at this kind of party. We 276 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: sat and we talked in five minutes, and I'm like, 277 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: I like you guys, and you know, because they relate 278 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: to you what you've done. And it is true. I 279 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: did have a hard time with that. You know, there's 280 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: not a lot of people you know, and you're you're right, 281 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: we're one percent of the population that you know. But 282 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: there's not a lot of people that can ever understand 283 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 1: the hard work, the dedication, the discipline that it takes 284 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 1: to play in the NFL, even like something small like 285 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: all right, you can't drink that or eat this for 286 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: six months while you're in season. Go try to tell 287 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: somebody that's just trying to lose weight to not eat 288 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: French fries for for a week. They don't understand that 289 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: type of dedication, that that type of commitment, and it's 290 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 1: hard to go ain't that in someone. So now when 291 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 1: I go talk to somebody else. And from my perspective, 292 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: this is what you're talking about, Chris. When I go 293 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: talk to Johnny, Mr plumber that goes at work sometimes 294 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: and sometimes you don't want to show up and he's 295 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: sick today and he don't go. He don't understand that. Listen, 296 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: we go to work, Christmas, Birthdays, flu we we have 297 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 1: to be there because no matter what how you felt 298 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: all week long, Sunday's happening, whether you were there all 299 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: weak or not. They don't understand that type of connection. 300 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 1: Do you know we'll we'll drop the from film off 301 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: to you so you can watch practice at least we'll 302 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: be at your house in minutes. Or if you play 303 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: for New England, if there's gonna be a snow on 304 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: again the next day, you better stay close to the 305 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: facilities because we don't want hear nothing about We can't 306 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: make you the practice. But the other thing, in terms 307 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 1: of being the other and being able to talk, it's 308 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 1: the similarity. It's the commonalities. It's the when we talk 309 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 1: about what is like now to go sit in a 310 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:58,760 Speaker 1: doctor's office and you're waiting and you don't go through 311 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: the back door. Who can relate to that? Who would say, 312 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: because it goes back to you mentioned in terms of 313 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 1: psychology making all of this money, who we who can 314 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 1: we talk to say, man, I, man, where's my identity? 315 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 1: Just what you just said? Right? But who can relate 316 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:18,119 Speaker 1: to that besides us? Who can you? Who can you go? 317 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: You got to bowload of money? And they're like, man, man, 318 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 1: you play six in years? Man, when you go go retire, 319 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,719 Speaker 1: go play golf? Right, just crazy stuff where you can 320 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: only do that for so long and all of a 321 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:31,160 Speaker 1: sudden now it's like because we were creative, that have purpose, right. 322 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 1: And the other thing about getting in these environments when 323 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:39,679 Speaker 1: we talk, we can learn something new, no doubt, absolutely, 324 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 1: because we've meant in an environment of of development. Guess what, 325 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: you still got examined to play your play every week? 326 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,120 Speaker 1: What if we started implementing some of the things that 327 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: we were organically exposed to an the league. You have 328 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: to show up timely, right, to be on time, You 329 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 1: have to understand what you were doing. Don't tell me 330 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: we're not brilliant guys. Yeah, and you can forget that 331 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: because the world just that people dismissed that that's a 332 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: football player. We wait more than football players. But you 333 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,640 Speaker 1: gotta be reminded of that. I think the one thing 334 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 1: that I've experienced just being around the guys, and it's 335 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:16,959 Speaker 1: been recent for me, maybe in the last six months, 336 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 1: just being around more NFL guys, is that not only 337 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 1: have you experienced some of the things that I'm going 338 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 1: to go through, you're also opening in my mind to 339 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 1: different things. Because for me, I'm just us narrow focus. 340 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: It's my little world. And I like this world because 341 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: I can control it. Just like you go to football, 342 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: is practice, drive go home, kids, go back to practice. 343 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: You know, the same type of thing. And for me, 344 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,919 Speaker 1: I kept my world very very small because I liked 345 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 1: it like that. I I can control, I can reach everything, 346 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 1: and I can control everything. But being around the guys, 347 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:52,360 Speaker 1: and I'm talking to Mike Rucker, I'm talking to different guys, 348 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: were saying, well, I'm doing this, and I'm playing golf 349 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,720 Speaker 1: once a week, I'm trying yoga and I'm now that 350 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:58,879 Speaker 1: says you know what to me, It says, you know, 351 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: it's okay to try these open up. Just think just 352 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 1: at least think about them, consider doing those things. Just 353 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: give this other guy an opportunity chance. And and to me, 354 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 1: it's been It's just been awesome being around the guys 355 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: because when we go home, I'm surrounded by soccer moms 356 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 1: and and in football dads that have never played the game. 357 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 1: And so now I'm looking at like, I don't even 358 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 1: just like you were talking, I don't even know if 359 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: that we're going to have anything in common those football 360 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 1: dads when you start talking to them like no, that's 361 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: not where it right, okay, And then because I don't 362 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 1: know anything about that's what my kids need to play 363 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: the football, dad, isn't this this is how they do 364 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 1: it and for real? And I'm just like, no, No, 365 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: that's not it at all. That's not how you tackle it. 366 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: Do you miss the game? I always get that question, right, 367 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: I missed? So what I love was I like to practice. 368 00:19:54,760 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: I used to love practicing UM think game plan, watching 369 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,159 Speaker 1: film and being able to go out and try to 370 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 1: um execute against Westbrook. That's what I missed, Just like 371 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 1: you know, when I was most comfortable when I'm in 372 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 1: that and that film. You know, I got my computer 373 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 1: or I'm in watching this film and I'm deciphering trying 374 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: to decipher this offense, Like all right, when they come 375 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: on this formation, I know what they're gonna do so 376 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: going through that process and then when Sunday came, you know, 377 00:20:26,119 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: being able to execute that and it and it comes 378 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: come to fruition. I missed that aspect. I got one. 379 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: I want. I'm gonna pull this elephant out out of 380 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 1: the off the wall here. How do you now motivate 381 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:41,880 Speaker 1: yourself without those external things that would trust the point 382 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:43,920 Speaker 1: your five? I look at it now where you see 383 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 1: the post care accolades where they talk about these you 384 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:48,880 Speaker 1: know Hall of Fame, Hall of famers that guys are 385 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: coming up, and I hear you know, different guys that 386 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:52,920 Speaker 1: are he's gonna be sure fire Hall of pa is 387 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:57,119 Speaker 1: gonna y'all ain't mentioning me held on? You know, I get. 388 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 1: I get. I can't do anything about it because I 389 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: can't play anymore. But i'd be wondering that man. Let 390 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 1: me tweak my resume out because y'all you know I've 391 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 1: done some great things. Um, It's it's tough. It's tough, 392 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: I think, really, just I don't. I'm motivated now to 393 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: be a better father, better husband, you know, better person, 394 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:23,920 Speaker 1: better christian um, better person, to impact help impact society. 395 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 1: That's what I'm motivated by now more than anything. I'll 396 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 1: bet you. First of all, I'll bet you the person 397 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 1: if we're playing one on one basketball and I drive 398 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:33,920 Speaker 1: a hole in your pastor you tackle me before I 399 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:41,159 Speaker 1: get to the basket, You like, that's no foul. I 400 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:43,360 Speaker 1: was gonna ask you, guys, what wisdom would you give 401 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 1: to the current guys now looking back? And when people 402 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 1: ask me and said, man, do you Mr Gammer said no, 403 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:51,199 Speaker 1: I have no regret at all. I said, because I 404 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 1: did what I was supposed to do while playing, right, 405 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:57,719 Speaker 1: what would you say to some of those current guys, 406 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: those that are still playing now that you look back. 407 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 1: The first thing I was telling one of the young 408 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 1: guys yesterday is, first of all, shut your mouth. We 409 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: don't need it. We don't need to hear you. I 410 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,359 Speaker 1: just need to see you, make sure you're own time early. 411 00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 1: The vets are not here to torch you. They're here 412 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:19,480 Speaker 1: to help you. But then a lot of times they're 413 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:22,679 Speaker 1: not going to volunteer and information. Don't be afraid to 414 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:26,080 Speaker 1: approach A guy has done it and said listen, I 415 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 1: need help. I'll never forget and be mess. I talked 416 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:31,879 Speaker 1: to all the time Brian Mitchell, and he said, you 417 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 1: don't understand how many questions you asked me your rookie year. 418 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:38,760 Speaker 1: I would say, all night long, just asking him questions. 419 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,680 Speaker 1: And because of that desire to learn, now he has 420 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 1: invested interest in me, in my success. And when you 421 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: have a veteran on your team, that that that wants 422 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 1: you to be successful, even in the same position. I mean, 423 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,880 Speaker 1: this dude taught me how to replace him. This dude 424 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 1: taught me how to catch punts, how to catch the 425 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,879 Speaker 1: ball out of the back, that which was his job. 426 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:02,399 Speaker 1: And once they have the invested interesting, they're gonna make 427 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 1: sure you're successful because and they've been through almost everything 428 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:06,959 Speaker 1: that you're gonna go through. So I would tell these 429 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 1: young guys, grab them to a vet, make sure that 430 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 1: he understands that you want this here my objective. I 431 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:16,479 Speaker 1: want to learn. I ain't gonna say nothing, just teach me. 432 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 1: And what you teach it, I'm gonna observe. I'm going 433 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:22,439 Speaker 1: to absorb all of it, and then I'm gonna go 434 00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 1: out there and work my butt off. And I want you, 435 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 1: as a VET to hold me accountable. They're gonna hold 436 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 1: you accountab in old school, that's they ain't gonna let 437 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 1: you slide. In anyway. So they're gonna hold you accountable. 438 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: But that's what that's what you gotta do. These young 439 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:37,000 Speaker 1: guys these days, they think they know everything, and you 440 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 1: can't come into this league with these grows. Grown men 441 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:42,399 Speaker 1: ain't gonna tell them what you are and are not 442 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,719 Speaker 1: gonna do. That's just not how it works. And so 443 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:49,159 Speaker 1: I'll be patient students of that. And it's funny when 444 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 1: it turns that the VET that really actually likes the 445 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 1: game needs the young player. Absolutely. I think the VET 446 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 1: needs to have that. I almost have to pass my 447 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 1: knowlf to someone and I like them to continue to 448 00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:04,120 Speaker 1: love the game. The VET needs it. But the young players, 449 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 1: they need it bad, that's right. In my last year, 450 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:12,600 Speaker 1: so was my last year. I had planned on retiring 451 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 1: after the twelve season. UM. We had made the playoffs 452 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 1: lost UM, and so after that, after that game, we 453 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:22,959 Speaker 1: went out as a linebackers. We had our finally had 454 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:26,600 Speaker 1: our linebacker night. I'll I'm wearing a limo and me 455 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 1: and uh Perry Riley, we're in the car coming back. 456 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: And Perry was the starting inside linebacker with myself, you know, 457 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:34,959 Speaker 1: I was you know, helping a groom Perry, you know, 458 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 1: And so Perry's like, man, I need you one more year. 459 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 1: Like you know, in my mind, that's why you came back. 460 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:46,520 Speaker 1: That was that was one of the main reasons I 461 00:24:46,560 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 1: came back. And you felt responsible because you were with 462 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 1: this young man. And not only that, it was I 463 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:53,639 Speaker 1: still felt like I needed to do some more leading. 464 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:57,040 Speaker 1: And when I say leading, preparing, not just Parry but 465 00:24:57,680 --> 00:25:00,920 Speaker 1: some other guys with it was uh, you know Rack whole, um, 466 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:04,360 Speaker 1: just different guys. I was trying to leave the rid 467 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:07,360 Speaker 1: skids better than when I came because like, hell, I've 468 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 1: been here seven years. I don't want you guys the 469 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 1: messages up. You know. Um you mentioned find out that 470 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 1: right veteran to em emulate, you know, developed great habits. 471 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:21,399 Speaker 1: You know I watched you didn't even know I was 472 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 1: watching you. Um, so find that right guy. I would 473 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:28,520 Speaker 1: tell him to also each day work on your craft 474 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 1: on the practice field. And also when you get home. 475 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: I mean, it's not gonna just stop once you leave 476 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 1: that building. You have to continue. You know, watch that film, 477 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 1: put in put in more hours, have have great integrity 478 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 1: because it's not just when somebody's watching this. What what 479 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 1: you do when nobody's watching that will sustain you and 480 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:50,359 Speaker 1: help you have a long, successful career. So that's what 481 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 1: where I would be my advice to those guys. I thought, 482 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 1: if our guys were not better after I left, I 483 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 1: was a failure as a leader. So I never forget 484 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,400 Speaker 1: I was I was. I would give the young guys 485 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:03,679 Speaker 1: anything I knew. Remember Jerry Mitchell's butted all those guys, right, 486 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:06,280 Speaker 1: it didn't matter. I was gonna tell him everything because 487 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:08,960 Speaker 1: I knew also from my relationship christ you couldn't replace 488 00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 1: me until I was finished. So I never ever worried 489 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: about somebody taking my job. So I would tell him 490 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 1: anything they wanted to know. And I'll never forget. This 491 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:23,600 Speaker 1: was a veteran guy and he was coaching at the time, 492 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 1: and he heard me and he pulled me aside. He said, uh, 493 00:26:29,359 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: he said, man, you you're teaching these young guys all 494 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:34,960 Speaker 1: the tricks of trade. He said yeah, he said, my 495 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 1: I ain't tell him none of that stuff that I 496 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:39,719 Speaker 1: was ready to finish. And I told him the same thing, 497 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:42,200 Speaker 1: and I said, man, they can't replace me. I'm gonna 498 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 1: do what I'm supposed to and I'm supposed to be here, 499 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:47,240 Speaker 1: and when i'm it's time to finish I'll be finished, 500 00:26:47,280 --> 00:26:51,560 Speaker 1: I'll walk away. But if they're not better because of 501 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:54,239 Speaker 1: me being there, I was a poor leader. So when 502 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:56,360 Speaker 1: I talked to the current player's first question, I asked them, 503 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:58,639 Speaker 1: I said, how much of you guys love being here 504 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:01,360 Speaker 1: today in the game, right, so I haven't raised their hand. 505 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 1: How many of y'all love the money you're making today 506 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 1: this current players? And there? Oh yeah, I said, do 507 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: you know, prior to you getting in this room, some players, 508 00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:13,359 Speaker 1: some owners and the players associated all made decisions they 509 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:15,199 Speaker 1: better or different, that caused this game to be at 510 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 1: the height of the popularity. So whoever was in here 511 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 1: before you were good stewards. You're benefiting of it from it. 512 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:27,520 Speaker 1: So now is your responsibility to understand that child that 513 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: was your age when I was playing, that needs that 514 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,160 Speaker 1: would love to play this game. You guys are gonna 515 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:36,679 Speaker 1: decide if this game still is popular. And so just 516 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 1: reminding the guys. And this is where legends come in, 517 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 1: because when you're young. Einstein said it best, he said, 518 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 1: what youth is wasting on the young? And just you 519 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:48,640 Speaker 1: don't know. So, man, it's been great with this podcast. Man, 520 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:56,840 Speaker 1: I appreciate you unfiltered filter now, but I really want 521 00:27:56,840 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 1: to finish with this and remind us all of us 522 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:03,400 Speaker 1: have the opportunity donal generation because at some point Shakespeare 523 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 1: said it says we'll all all the world is a stage. 524 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:09,440 Speaker 1: We each have our points of interest. While on stage 525 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:12,240 Speaker 1: we may play varying roles for making a mistake. Eventually 526 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:15,719 Speaker 1: we leave the stage. So now let's leverage this influence 527 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:19,359 Speaker 1: of legends. Regardless of how you feel about your career, 528 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: somebody's looking up to you and love you very true, 529 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:26,560 Speaker 1: and we're speaking to their lives. Things that um that 530 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 1: young player that thinking, man, I can never play, look 531 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 1: at my size are the things that we never think 532 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,400 Speaker 1: about in the locker room. As you said, never came 533 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:36,960 Speaker 1: in the locker room thinking about other foolishness outside of 534 00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:42,200 Speaker 1: accountability to win the game. So thank you guys, you 535 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:45,280 Speaker 1: feed me right now doing this podcast. Thank you, Thank 536 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: you Chris for taking the time to come. God bless 537 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: you guys. Man appreciate you having us. This has been 538 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:57,520 Speaker 1: the NFL Legends Podcast. To provide feedback or request the 539 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:00,840 Speaker 1: topic for discussion, email us at n FELL Legends at 540 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: NFL dot com.