1 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast, an NFL podcast for 2 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:13,039 Speaker 1: the players, by the players. Here is your host, fourteen 3 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 1: year NFL veteran and Hall of Famer Enius Williams. Hello, 4 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: and welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast. I am Enius Williams, 5 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: and today we're telling draft stories that cover diverse experiences 6 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: from successful legends, and I have a couple of them. 7 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 1: To Hall of Fame legends were radically different stories about 8 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: draft day and the expectations that went along with it. First, 9 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: we have Orlando Pace from the Ohio State University, who 10 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: was just this a little scrappy draft pick, barely made 11 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,960 Speaker 1: it through the first round. That's right, the first number 12 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: one overall draft pick. That's right, my former teammate. Uh 13 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: started the greatest show on turf and I later joined 14 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: him in St. Louis. And then we have this guy 15 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:11,839 Speaker 1: named John Randall that I must say talked the whole game, 16 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 1: who went undrafted out of the University of Texas, that's right, 17 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: not not Austin, Texas at Kingsville in but still made 18 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: it to Caton, Ohio. Welcome guys, so glad to have you. 19 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,279 Speaker 1: Thank you for sitting down talking to us. About the draft. 20 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: All right, so give our players and alleges and idea 21 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:38,040 Speaker 1: of the difference. Take us through each each of your 22 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: draft days. What was it like, John, come on with it. Uh, 23 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 1: draft day was you know back then? Back then it 24 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: was like what three days, three or four days? Was 25 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: sitting around, you know, waiting for the phone ring. So 26 00:01:55,040 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: I was sitting there waiting cell phone. No just check, no, no, no, 27 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 1: you're at the house. Phone bick your phone, sitting there waiting. 28 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: Nobody called. First day. Okay, but who's in the house. 29 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: We gotta set the tone man. Nobody just me by yourself, myself? 30 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: No interested? Yeah, because this this journey, basically it was 31 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: my journey. There's something where for me, I was saying 32 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: that I wanted to try to play in the National 33 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: Football League. I didn't really set out to do that, 34 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: but I said, my brother played, you know what, I 35 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: want to give a try. I remember when I ran 36 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: my forty I ran my forty grass party was about 37 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 1: I felt like and like three ft high because you 38 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: couldn't even see his shoe. Said again, so so guys 39 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: like I wouldn't call her name Orlando Pace, who has 40 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: never experienced high grass. But you're gonna ask this a 41 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 1: scout here here at the combine, We'll run into him. 42 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: We'll asked him about he was there. He goes man, 43 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 1: you even running that company at that forty? I go yeah, 44 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 1: he goes man, that grass so tall we couldn't see shoot. 45 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: Go what did I ring it? I think he ran 46 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: like a eight something like that, like okay that you know. No, 47 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: it was back in the day. It was long and 48 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: slow process. But its process that I went through on 49 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 1: my own. They sit around the old day watching TV, 50 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: you know, turn the TV on. Watch Uh, I'm talking 51 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: about it. Nobody called every once. Somebody checked the phone? 52 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: Makes your phone working? Where's everybody? Nobody? Nobody really, I 53 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: mean nobody really thought that I was gonna make it, 54 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: you know really. Yeah, That's why I said this process. 55 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: But I always kind of was on my own something 56 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 1: to join you. I went down because and I'm coming 57 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 1: out of vision to school. I'm undersize. I'm only six too. 58 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 1: I'm two forty. You know, I'm not the typical uh 59 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: deepen linemen. Back then, everybody wanted you to be six 60 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: five six six. You had real g was six six five, 61 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: and then he had liked you. Clyde Simmons. Man, you 62 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:08,360 Speaker 1: had these guys that were just just huge. Wait or 63 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: they were like to seventy five on one up and 64 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: I'm coming in at two forty six two leading two 65 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 1: is cool. And they were like, you know you underside, 66 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,080 Speaker 1: nobody really thinks that you're going to be the guy 67 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 1: that it'sbody gonna take a chance on. So I sit 68 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: around for three days, man, wait somebody to call me. 69 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: Then soon the draft was over, I got a call 70 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: from Restking was like, hey, think about making a linebacker 71 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 1: And I was like, no, I'm not a linebacker. I'm 72 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 1: a defe line When they was kind of laughed at 73 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:39,600 Speaker 1: the end of the phone call, you know, doing a 74 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 1: phone call. But so nobody's draft you. Now they're talking 75 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 1: about put you in lineback and defensive tackle. Yeah, and 76 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:51,720 Speaker 1: just pounds and so to them all makes sense. This 77 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:56,599 Speaker 1: too small. So from that standpoint, it wasn't gonna happen. 78 00:04:56,720 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: So my brother was playing at Tampa. I went down, 79 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: had your brother been drafted? My brother got drafted. My 80 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: brother got drafted in the third round for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 81 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: So this is like the late eighties. So I go 82 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: down of Tampa and they were trying to make me 83 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 1: a linebacker. You had Roderick Thomas down there, and you 84 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:22,840 Speaker 1: had another uh linebacker who's from Alabama, and they were like, yeah, 85 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 1: you could be mic linebacker. We could put you on 86 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 1: like like a little practice squad. And I'm like, no, 87 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: I'm not lined back and defense lama. So then they 88 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: put me in the medium room, trying to show me 89 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: that what I was playing against guys to name two 90 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: d pounds, they were six to one, got six three. 91 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: I'm like, man, I'm still a defeens a lama, And 92 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden they were showing me the 93 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: front which they had their three man front and they 94 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: were basically running to me. Their defense up front was 95 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: you know, had Alex and Alex on the left of 96 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: the left hand and in for the right end. And 97 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: they go, yeah, it's taking like two days and figures out. 98 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: I'm like, man, left hand is Lex right in and land? Okay, 99 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: what else we need? And so all of a sudden, 100 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 1: if you want to leand that's the inside guy going first, Lex, 101 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: I mean outside guys going first, and it's Lex, then 102 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: you're gonna land. That's inside guy Rex outside in going 103 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: first and ran inside guy going first like Okay, I 104 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: got this and maybe like nah, it's just not gonna 105 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: work out. So I leave there and uh go down 106 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,040 Speaker 1: to the land. So you still have signed. These are 107 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: teams you're visiting, yep, visiting. So so hold that thought. 108 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: I want to go through the teams that you're going 109 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: through this process, because you you you're talking about the 110 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: free agent experience, which is very unique to Orlando's experience. 111 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: You know, Atlanto sitting there, he's hearing around Will talk 112 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 1: about high grass. I went to the Southern University and 113 00:06:56,240 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: here Orlando first pick in the draft. First question I 114 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 1: want to know is where you're in New York. I 115 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,119 Speaker 1: was in New York. Uh. My story is a little 116 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: different than John's. Obviously y'all can't see my hands right now. 117 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 1: I mean it's like from how far from the south right? Y? Yeah? Absolutely, 118 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: So Actually give me this real quick. What goes through 119 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: your mind as you hear John, Like, man, that's you know, 120 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: even to hear that story, like, man, I didn't realize, 121 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: you know, I know, guys that waited a couple of days. 122 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: But just going through the process of visiting teams and 123 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: being a free agent and kind of that whole experiences 124 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: is different. It's really respect to him to be a 125 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: Hall of Famer, to start off that his journey that 126 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 1: way by in the in the house, by itself, and 127 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 1: then end up being a Hall of Famer. Man, that's 128 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: that's incredible. Man. So so who I was in New 129 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: York with you, So for me, my draft day kind 130 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 1: of you know, you know, obviously I was projected to 131 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 1: go number one pick. So I flew my entire family 132 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: out there, so mom, dad, you know, since their uncles. 133 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,760 Speaker 1: So we're out there having a good time. I think 134 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 1: I I started I started off in the league in 135 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 1: the hole, just just based off that experience. But the 136 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: funny thing about it, when I think about draft day, 137 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: it really started off in panic for me. And the 138 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: reason I say that is obviously you got Taylor's making 139 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: suits for you and all these different things. And I'm 140 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 1: a big guy. This happening in New York and New 141 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: York draft day morning, so you got a whirlwind. I 142 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: got a whirlwind, and you know, I'm worried about getting drafted. 143 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 1: So my my tailor shipped my suit to me, but 144 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,559 Speaker 1: he didn't have a shirt, something like, I can't walk out. 145 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: I don't have a shirt, and I'm a big guy 146 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 1: in New York. So I'm like, somebody needs to I 147 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: need to go find me out at the next a 148 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 1: football player who has to have helmet, shoulder pass jersey pans. 149 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 1: Your tailor makes your suit and does not send the shirt, 150 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 1: does not send the shirt. So you were in New York, 151 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: the first player drafted, and you were thinking about a shirt, 152 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 1: a shirt. You know, obviously I'm sitting there because you know, 153 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 1: obviously everybody want to kind of bean walking state like 154 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: I've been visiting this whole thing my entire career, like 155 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: the first and I'm like, I'm running around New York 156 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 1: for like somebody had a guy running around New York 157 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 1: for like two hours trying to find a shirt that 158 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 1: fits me. So that it was a little bit of panic. 159 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: They're a little disarray, but uh, you know, we end 160 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: up working it out. It worked out, and so so 161 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 1: sitting in the green room there in New York, you know, 162 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: obviously being the first pick, and you kind of hear rumblings. 163 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: And a week before that, I talked to coach Dick 164 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: for Mill. He said, hey, we're gonna take you with 165 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: the number one pick. But that was the last time 166 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: I heard from him. So you're sitting in the green 167 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: room and they used the entire clock. So in my head, 168 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 1: I'm sitting there thinking, no, I don't know. So don't 169 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: get me wrong. Fifteen minutes compared to your two days 170 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: is a little different. But you're still I'm like, hold up, 171 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 1: I ain't gonna aren't gonna make a trade. They're gonna 172 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 1: do something different. And then uh. And then obviously they 173 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 1: made that pick with the number one pick, and it 174 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 1: was a great It was a goal of mine, and 175 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:06,840 Speaker 1: everybody kind of rushed the stage and it was really 176 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: a dream come true for me. Did you cry? You 177 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: know what? The funny thing I think I cried. I 178 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: had an opportunity that night before and me and my 179 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: mom was in the hotel room. We had a chance 180 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 1: to reflect a little bit, and she just couldn't believe it. 181 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 1: Obviously your parents are emotional, and she couldn't believe it, 182 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: and it was just kind of it was an emotional 183 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: time for us all because we knew where we came 184 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: from and now all of a sudden, to be the 185 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 1: first pick in the draft was it was a special 186 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,679 Speaker 1: time for us. So from that standpoint, sharing that moment 187 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: with family was awesome for me. Wow. Yeah. So you 188 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: hear your name called, you go up to the podium 189 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:48,559 Speaker 1: the commissioner was it absolutely so as you walk on 190 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 1: that platform right with Paul with that number one jersey on, 191 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 1: what are you thinking on the stage? Wow? And I'm 192 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,959 Speaker 1: looking out and you see all these flashing cameras and York. 193 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,359 Speaker 1: It was in New York, So you see all these 194 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 1: these cameras and you're like, you're a little bit and all. 195 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 1: You're like, man, this is really happening. And you're shaking 196 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: his hand and we didn't do the hugs like they 197 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 1: do now at the draft day, but you know, obviously 198 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: he's like, oh, you're lifting up your caps, so give 199 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: me a cap. Yea. They gave me a cat that 200 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:18,960 Speaker 1: was a little worried. I'm like, dude, this this cat fit. 201 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 1: I know when I wanted to drift. I see their job. 202 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: I like, is this cap? Because what I'm saying, like, 203 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:32,199 Speaker 1: y'all know, I get drafted to make sure y'all makes 204 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 1: of adjustment. But John is hoping to get a call 205 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: this man thinking about yeah, yeah, so so that's my draft. Obviously, 206 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: after you after you meet the commissioner, for me, it 207 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: was a whirldwind from that point on because then you know, 208 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 1: you do your interviews and then and then they put 209 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 1: you on and obviously St. Louis wanted to see me, 210 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: you know, as soon as they could. So we get 211 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: on a flight and head to St. Louis and you know, 212 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: they roll out the red carpet, leave you that part. 213 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 1: They put you on the flight, see that. See I 214 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: know they do private jets. Now I was on a 215 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: commercial fla like, hey, we got a four o'clock flight, 216 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: you can make it. So but it was first class 217 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:14,680 Speaker 1: and I was like perfect, this works. But you know, 218 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:16,320 Speaker 1: obviously I get off the plane, didn't have to go 219 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: through the airport, you know, they had a limo waiting 220 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,839 Speaker 1: there for me, and then you know, go to facility 221 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: and yeah, so yeah, so it was it was a 222 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: pretty cool experience. So yeah, yeah, you know, John, getting 223 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 1: back to you, you started saying us already, it's so 224 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: much our rookie experience, how we treated the stems from 225 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: you know, teams and how they invest in us. So 226 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: you start off telling us about your visits were they 227 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: were even trying to figure out what position you're gonna play. 228 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: Tell us real quick. How you ended up in Minnesota? Okay? 229 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: So I worked out. I went and worked out of 230 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: Tampa and then so like journey continued on to Atlanta. 231 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: Foul because with Jerry Glanville, it's one of the assistant coaches. 232 00:12:56,679 --> 00:13:01,440 Speaker 1: It's like lett m'clock in the morning in Atlanta, and 233 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:03,960 Speaker 1: he's got me out there running around doing all kinds 234 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 1: of stuff. He's got me running the mall. Then he 235 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:09,560 Speaker 1: got me backpaling, He's got me going up the hill, 236 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:13,440 Speaker 1: down the hill, and all of a sudden, he just goes, 237 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 1: he gets done. I might be stopped. He goes, and 238 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: I'm I've been working out every day, seven days a week, 239 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:21,960 Speaker 1: and he goes, you know, out of shape. I'm like, 240 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: what I mean? I just mad you got me back down. 241 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: I'm like, if this was the maing football all about, Yeah, 242 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: maybe I'm not the right guy for this. I'm sitting 243 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 1: there and I'm all sudden, I just go, you know what, huh, 244 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 1: I'm going home. So I go to the airport and 245 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: I'm sitting there. I'm waiting for my flight to go 246 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: back to Texas, and you know that some time to kill. 247 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 1: So I grabbed one of those football magazine and I'm 248 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 1: thinking looking at the magazine, gonna, man, I guess it's 249 00:13:57,760 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: where my dream ins there. You know this is where 250 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: it's done. I'm just yeah, can you track teams? Bring team? 251 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: Only going you? Nobody else? Some say, look at the 252 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,839 Speaker 1: magazine and I'm going through it. I'm looking at different 253 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 1: defensive lineman. I'm going, man, I belong in the National 254 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: Football League. I know it. So there's a higher power 255 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: telling me that. So I'm looking at the defensive lineman 256 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: and I go to Minnesota. Minnesota had the smallest defensive line. 257 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: They had Henry Thomas, Chris Dolman. Doan was like to 258 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 1: sixty five. Henry Thomes was two sixty. Al Noga was 259 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 1: like two. And I'm two forty. And I'm like, I 260 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: can make this team. I can make this team. I 261 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 1: called my agent and I go, hey, it's Minnesota. Interested 262 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: go yeah, Minnesota wanted team. I go, man, I want 263 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 1: to go to Minnesota. I changed my ticket. I go 264 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: to Minnesota. I get there that night and like eight 265 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: o'clock at night, I'm leaving Atlanta. It's hot and I 266 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 1: just look. When I left school, uh, Kingsville, it was 267 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: like palm trees, beautiful day at land in Minnesota's nighttime 268 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: and snowing. I'm in the hotel room looking at the window, going, 269 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: oh my god, is this the right decision? And like 270 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: then then I go, yeah, it is. This is part 271 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 1: of my journey Atlanta. Yours different coming from a big 272 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: school first pick. Different pressure. John is trying to select 273 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 1: the right team and obviously got to make a team. 274 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: But yours tell us about the different pressure that comes 275 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 1: from the expectations. Wow. So being an offensive line and 276 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 1: being selected number one pick, normally fan bases are looking forward, 277 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 1: you know, you know, quarterbacks to change that helped change 278 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: their franchise around. So the pressure of going number one, uh, like, hey, 279 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: can an offensive lineman really change our fortune? Like the 280 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 1: Rams have probably won the average of two or three 281 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 1: games a year prior to the second worst team of 282 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: the decade of the night. Absolutely So obviously a couple 283 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: of years prior to the the team had just moved from 284 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: l A to St. Louis, and obviously they were looking 285 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 1: for a winner. Coach from mill had just got there. 286 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: They had drafted Lawrence Phillips the year before, and they're like, dude, 287 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: why are they getting this offensive line? But Tony Banks 288 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: had been getting beat up at the time, So you 289 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 1: know that was a gamble for dicker Mill to draft 290 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: me number one from that standpoint, because everybody wants that 291 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: big name quarterback to come into place. But you know, 292 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: obviously I was. I was one of those key pieces 293 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: that kinda that they brought in and they drafted well 294 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 1: during free agency, bringing Marshall Falk and all these different 295 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 1: guys in. But but that that the expectations to be 296 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 1: you know, for me to be the number one pick 297 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: was big because everybody's looking, you know, I've done. I 298 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: had a great college career, so everybody's looking for those 299 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: same results and that so the microscopes on you how 300 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: good is this kid? Is he gonna be what he 301 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: was in college? But you know that was not put 302 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: a lot of pressure on myself at the time too. 303 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: But it was very different from winning you know, ten 304 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: games a year to that first year, I think we 305 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 1: won three games and you started looking like, man, hold on, 306 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: is this the league? Like I would like we would 307 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 1: lose a game in college and it's almost like the 308 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 1: world and it and I hear, guy, you probably experienced 309 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 1: this when you first walking the league, that national people 310 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:10,479 Speaker 1: are like they lose a game, they get beat by 311 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:12,199 Speaker 1: thirty guys in the locker room. Trouble. Hey, where we're 312 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 1: hanging out to night. I'm like, dude, hanging out, I'm devastate. 313 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,840 Speaker 1: I'm devastated off these glosses, you know what I mean. So, 314 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:21,600 Speaker 1: but you know, obviously that was a big difference, but uh, 315 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: you know, uh, you know, it was a great time 316 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,159 Speaker 1: for you know, we developed that some chemistry over the 317 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: next couple of years and ended up winning the championship. 318 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: And maybe I'm not remembering as Orlando the big elephant 319 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: in the room. Did you sign right away? Oh? Here, 320 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 1: we got it. That's a big He didn't bring this 321 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 1: up as a rule, bringing this up just for the 322 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:43,520 Speaker 1: legends that listened to this, got a big elephant in 323 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: the role to bring it up. Well, I knew. I 324 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: knew Orlando through the Post Brothers more at his agent exactly, 325 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:00,159 Speaker 1: so very quick, and I'm glad you brought that up 326 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,399 Speaker 1: in there, so as as I'm twenty one at the time, 327 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,439 Speaker 1: and you learn so much about business, right because you 328 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 1: think you're just gonna you get drafted. You walk into 329 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 1: a situation and then all of a sudden you're like, hey, 330 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 1: I'm the number one pick. Let's, you know, let's get 331 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: this deal done. You think it's gonna be a very 332 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 1: simple process. Hey, you guys wanted me. You're drafted me 333 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 1: number one. Hey, let's open up the you know, let's 334 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,159 Speaker 1: let's back in the brinks truck a little bit and 335 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 1: let's get this thing done. And and that's when business 336 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:27,360 Speaker 1: kind of hit you in the face, like, hold on, 337 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: there's some things we gotta work out here and iron 338 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: out here. And being a young kid, you kind of 339 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: obviously you want to get the most you can get. 340 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 1: And then my agents were all about that. The Posting 341 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:39,119 Speaker 1: brothers and the Rams weren't so much about that, you know, 342 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:42,919 Speaker 1: because the negotiations, so we're going back and forth. It's 343 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: probably held out three weeks. So I didn't come out 344 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 1: to deal with that. Now man first, Piggy ready to 345 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: get rolling. We had to dream mom and I crying, absolutely, 346 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: I'm gonna get my money, and all of a sudden, 347 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: like three weeks. Yeah. So so it's funny because the 348 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 1: more you I'm last guy to sign in the first round, right. 349 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 1: So I've seen all my buddies getting these contracts and 350 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,400 Speaker 1: getting these deals, and I remember calling my agents saying, 351 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,199 Speaker 1: just get the deal done. I'm tired of it. Just 352 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: get it done. I'm tired of holding I want to 353 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 1: play football. And he was like, no, hold on, hold on, 354 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 1: we're really close, We're really close. Three weeks later, I 355 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,400 Speaker 1: don't get the camp. So it was one of those 356 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: things where it's like, man, the pressure, because I was 357 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 1: going through, all right, I want to, I want to, 358 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 1: I want to get this big contract. Then all of 359 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:26,639 Speaker 1: a sudden, it was all right, I just want to 360 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,119 Speaker 1: play football because the pressure is like, okay, where's the 361 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: Orlando page. He's just and then all of a sudden, 362 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: that deal didn't get done and there so so I 363 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,200 Speaker 1: walked into St. Louis and it was kind of bitter sweet. 364 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: I think some people were happy to see me, but 365 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 1: there was a lot of fans and the organizations like, dude, like, 366 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 1: you just wasted almost wasted your rookie year based on 367 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 1: the fact you missed the entire training camp. So you 368 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 1: know you're going you're going into that situation. So I 369 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: didn't know if people liked me, if they didn't like me, 370 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: or what happened, because you know, just the psychology we're 371 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:00,879 Speaker 1: talking about earlier, all of a sudden you didn't want 372 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: to psychologist where most people think. Then you're first pick 373 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: in the draft. Yeah, and then on your mind. Now 374 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,360 Speaker 1: you introduced to the business. Then you got fans who 375 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: bitter sweep who's this dude? Or the locker room. So 376 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: you walk into the locker room and you see all 377 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 1: these vets and they're like, dude, what is this dude about? 378 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: Can he play? Can he not play? Wi? Is he 379 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 1: holding out? And then you start making more money than 380 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:22,959 Speaker 1: other guys. You gotta and then you gotta come in 381 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: and really show your worth or prove your worth because 382 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:27,719 Speaker 1: guys are and I probably done that to look man, 383 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 1: is he really that good? How is it? Can you play? 384 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 1: But you gotta earn your respect when you walk in 385 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:33,639 Speaker 1: that locker room because guys are looking at you like 386 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:35,959 Speaker 1: you're making big money. Now let's see if you can fly. 387 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:38,360 Speaker 1: You know. One of the things that that Orlando told 388 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 1: me the prior conversation was his coach Jim Haniffon and 389 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 1: why don't you share with the legends with Jim told you, Yeah, 390 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:47,840 Speaker 1: it was a couple of things. So when I that's 391 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: the great thing and I owe a lot to coach 392 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 1: Hadding and what he's done for which is your de 393 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: line coach? Yeah? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So so what happened 394 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 1: is uh so, first of all, when I came in, 395 00:20:57,720 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 1: it was he was probably the most uh well, he 396 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:02,680 Speaker 1: helped me out the most for the simple fact he said, hey, 397 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:05,360 Speaker 1: I know you've you've done great things in college. I'm 398 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 1: not gonna put you on the on the field until 399 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 1: you're absolutely ready. So I didn't start into my seventh 400 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: game in the International Football League because he's like, hey, 401 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 1: you know, the first overall picks. So it was a 402 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:18,719 Speaker 1: little you have to be patient because it was almost 403 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 1: like learning how to ride the bike again. Like in college, 404 00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 1: you physically stronger than everybody, but then in the league 405 00:21:24,400 --> 00:21:26,640 Speaker 1: you gotta have some technique. You have to learn techniques. 406 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:28,719 Speaker 1: So he said, hey, you know, I don't care what 407 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 1: the news media says. We're gonna put you out there 408 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 1: when you're absolutely ready. Once we got into that process, 409 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:34,959 Speaker 1: he said, hey, if you're not in the Hall of 410 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:37,800 Speaker 1: Fame by the time your career is over, then you know, 411 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: it's nobody's fault. But you're all that's that's really good 412 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,400 Speaker 1: because you know, some coach you could have just fet 413 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:45,800 Speaker 1: you to the wolf. Yeah, absolutely, so you probably can 414 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:50,600 Speaker 1: see how sometimes even high picks, yeah end up short 415 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:53,200 Speaker 1: career is because someone not knowing how to manage it early. 416 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:56,479 Speaker 1: So yeah, so that's exactly what he said. Coach. They 417 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 1: were all on board. They were like, hey, we're gonna 418 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 1: get this guy ready. You know, we're not just gonna 419 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 1: throw them out there week one and see what he 420 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 1: can do. So, you know, ironically, here's the joking place. 421 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: So I'm drafted third round. So I'm in New Orleans. 422 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:12,160 Speaker 1: I'm waiting. I could have gone from first to five. 423 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,040 Speaker 1: So I'm sitting. The family all around, were in New 424 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,920 Speaker 1: Orleans seventeen with a Holly Grove baby. We're having fun. 425 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 1: So don't get my name called. Don't hear it until 426 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 1: the second day, which was the second the third round started. 427 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:30,800 Speaker 1: Third round, and and remember the Cardinals and the Cardinals 428 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:33,359 Speaker 1: ironically it was the only team that said they probably 429 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: wouldn't draft there one of their scouts and end up 430 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 1: drafting never heard of Phoenix. Like, man, I'm being drafted. 431 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:42,159 Speaker 1: I didn't care, just to get the opportunity. And what 432 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:44,439 Speaker 1: made me bring my story up is you hold you 433 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:47,160 Speaker 1: held out three weeks. I'm a third round draft pick. 434 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 1: I held out. I didn't know that I had out 435 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:53,399 Speaker 1: for two weeks, man, I held out for two weeks 436 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 1: coming out of Southern coming out of the Southern universities. 437 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:59,399 Speaker 1: You know, I didn't see that that I was watching 438 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: this story. You I didn't hear that about two weeks man. 439 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 1: And then uh, I end up starting from day one 440 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:09,439 Speaker 1: when I got there. Yeah, it was crazy. The funny 441 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 1: the one to ask you, guys, is there anything um, 442 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 1: guys earlier in their careers you can recommend that to 443 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 1: help alleviate the unnecessary pressure. It's already gonna be to 444 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:23,120 Speaker 1: performing and play. But is there anything you can say 445 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 1: two guys that early in their careers that could possibly 446 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: alleviate what I call the unnecessary pressure? I would say 447 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:34,800 Speaker 1: for a young guy to um, just when you when 448 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 1: you are a player, it's just focus on being a player, 449 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 1: not focus on I mean they try to tell you 450 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 1: about you know, the media and this and all that. 451 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:47,159 Speaker 1: If you just go out and do your part of 452 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: playing football, everything else would take care of yourself and 453 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:54,280 Speaker 1: you know, and just that part of it. Because I 454 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 1: think when a young guy comes in there, he's trying 455 00:23:56,320 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 1: to pay attention to so much stuff that he gets 456 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:03,320 Speaker 1: caught up and all that, and he loses focus on 457 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 1: what the agenda. And your main agenda is to play 458 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 1: football and be the best football player you can be. 459 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 1: Not trying to focus on Twitter or all this other stuff. 460 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: Just focus on being a player you first year and 461 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: do that. Don't try to hang out with the veteran guys. 462 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:25,359 Speaker 1: Just you as a young guy, go to work, put 463 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 1: in all the time you need to do to do 464 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,720 Speaker 1: your job. And the closer with your hand. Want to 465 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 1: think about the shirt in New York, the hat holding out, 466 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: the posters everybody. How did you finally get to get 467 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 1: to doing what you needed to do as a player 468 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: to be successful. Wow, I think it's to piggyback a 469 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:52,080 Speaker 1: little bit. What John said is just be be a pro. 470 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: You know, learn understand this isn't college anymore, this is 471 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 1: this is actually your job, this is your dream, This 472 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:01,720 Speaker 1: is what you really want to focus on in life. 473 00:25:01,720 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 1: And and I always always tried to gravitate when I 474 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 1: walked into a locker room, Try to gravitate to somebody, 475 00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 1: a mentor somebody who's doing it right. And for me, 476 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:13,080 Speaker 1: Isaac Bruce was one of those guys where you looked 477 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: the way he worked and he very quiet and you 478 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 1: know that. But the way he worked, like dude, that 479 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 1: he's a true professional. And you gotta you gotta try 480 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:23,560 Speaker 1: to figure out during the course of that locker room atmosphere, 481 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:26,600 Speaker 1: you know who's that guy? Can you get behind? And 482 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 1: then you got you gotta earn those You gotta be 483 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 1: earned that respect in the locker room. You don't come 484 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 1: in and try to be disruptive. You try to come 485 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:35,239 Speaker 1: in and be a key piece of that and just 486 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 1: do your job by by how hard you work. I 487 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 1: think that's the that's the kid. Well, you guys have 488 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,680 Speaker 1: heard man, thank you for this incredible podcast. We've learned 489 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: some more about each other. So glad and a matter 490 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:48,399 Speaker 1: of fact, any legends want to read up on the 491 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:56,120 Speaker 1: posting Brothers and day saka contract. You guys had these contacts. 492 00:25:56,720 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 1: I probably had like they gave me a contact. He 493 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 1: was just like, hey, this up. You know, I've learned 494 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:06,360 Speaker 1: some valuable information today about it and this is gonna 495 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 1: be trouble about holding out for you. I had no idea. No, man, 496 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:19,760 Speaker 1: what's your degree in? Like account? Yeah? Count let me 497 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:22,000 Speaker 1: close out this podcast. Anybody, y'all were having so much 498 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 1: fun we're trying to go over time. Man, this five que, 499 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: this your boy, and yes Williams. Has been great. Thank 500 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,880 Speaker 1: you John, thank your land though. Hey, thank you guys 501 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:34,880 Speaker 1: for listening to this podcast. This has been the NFL 502 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 1: Legends podcast. To provide feedback or request the topic for discussion, 503 00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 1: email us at NFL Legends at nfl dot com.