1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: We are back with another School Stories presented by three M, 2 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. Tonight, we're 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: catching up with former Vikings cornerback Dewayne Washington. Welcome back 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,079 Speaker 1: to School Stories presented by three M. Tonight's guest was 5 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: the defensive difference maker who had over eight hundred tackles 6 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: during his twelve year career as a Viking. He earned 7 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: AP Defensive Rookie of the Year nominations and a reputation 8 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: for making key interceptions. He's the Carolina kid with a 9 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 1: knack for the big play. Please enjoy tonight's conversation with 10 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:39,879 Speaker 1: number twenty, Dewayne Washington. 11 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:47,560 Speaker 2: That's absolutely my pleasure to bring in former fellow teammate 12 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,959 Speaker 2: Dwayne Washington. Dwayne, how are you? What have you been 13 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 2: up to? Just give us a quick rundown on your life? 14 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 2: In you since nineteen ninety four? Right, oh my god? 15 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: Thirty that's all? 16 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I think a lot has changed. First of all, 17 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 3: from my pleasure being on the podcast with you guys today, 18 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 3: Thanks for having me. Definitely, nineteen ninety four brings back memories. 19 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 3: Obviously that's when my life changed. But when my name 20 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 3: was called by Dinny Green and came to the Vikers 21 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 3: the first round, picked there in ninety four. Just great 22 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 3: times and great memories, you know, from that time, I said, 23 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 3: you guys know, went on to play Fitshburvers six years 24 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 3: and then a year in Taxonville year in Kansas City. 25 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 3: So I feel like I got everything out of my 26 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 3: legs from a cornerback perspective when it comes to running 27 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:35,039 Speaker 3: around against wide receivers. So had a great time. Roley Durham, 28 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 3: North Caroline has always been home for us, and we've 29 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 3: been here, you know, the entire time. It really never left. 30 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 3: I was kept a home here even though you know 31 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 3: we played in different cities. So got three kids, No, 32 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 3: not three kids, I'll say three young adults. Two in 33 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 3: nineteen a married to my beautiful wife for twenty six years. 34 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 3: My son was actually born in Minneapolis. So I'm just 35 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 3: a special place for us. 36 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: Well, Draaite, you mentioned nineteen ninety four. You also mentioned Denny. 37 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: If you could kind of take us back to maybe 38 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: that night and the Meybe when Coach Green called you 39 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: and said we want you to be part of the 40 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings and to be drafted in the first round. 41 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: My goodness, you must have been off jumping on the 42 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: ceiling for that night. 43 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, no doubt. I mean I was, you know, 44 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 3: fortunate enough to get the call from the League office 45 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 3: to be a part of the festivities there in New York. 46 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 3: So it took the whole family. I think we might 47 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 3: have about thirty people back there. You know, it's not 48 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 3: like it is now, you know, now they have so 49 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:30,360 Speaker 3: many guys at the draft. I think it was only 50 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 3: five or six of us, you know, they were at 51 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:37,919 Speaker 3: the draft. I remember correctly. It was trend del for myself, Aaron, Glenn, Marshall, Paul, 52 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 3: and John Theory. He went number ten actually to Chicago Bears, 53 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 3: a linebacker out of Alcorn State. So it wasn't that 54 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 3: many of us there, but we definitely filled up the room. 55 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 3: I know I did with all my family. But you know, 56 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 3: to be able to go up there and you know, 57 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,679 Speaker 3: hold up to Jersey and all that with Paul was 58 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 3: definitely a dream come true. And obviously that next morning, 59 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 3: you know, I was, I was in Minneapolis and doing 60 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 3: interviews and meeting everybody. But we're really really special time. Now. 61 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 2: You were drafted right before Todd Stucy, and I think 62 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 2: you reminded him of that about every day, didn't you. 63 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 3: You know, we had two first round picks. They had 64 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 3: two second round picks I think that year. But yeah, 65 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 3: I went before, so I think it did it like 66 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 3: me a little bit more. 67 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Now you're still you're still involved, but you haven't 68 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 2: involved with football. You continue it with coach in high 69 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 2: school in Minnesota. Vikings have a young man named fair 70 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 2: Thomas on the practice squad and you coached him. Now, 71 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 2: it's one thing to have one of your kids playing 72 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: in the NFL or part of the NFL, but having 73 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 2: someone that you had coached as a young man being 74 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 2: the NFL, it's got to kind of be the same thing, right. 75 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 2: You have to take that type of pride in having 76 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:50,119 Speaker 2: one of your you know, one of your students make 77 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 2: it this far. 78 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 3: Have no doubt about it. I mean, you know, we 79 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 3: were at the game against the Panthers just this past week, 80 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 3: and that it gives there a call beforehand because I 81 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 3: know he's on practice squad. As soon as I was, 82 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 3: you know, checking in the hotel there he was standing 83 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 3: there and I was just like, what are you doing here? 84 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 3: You know, And obviously they brought him up on the 85 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 3: active roster, and I mean, I just couldn't be any 86 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 3: more proud of any any young man. I mean, this 87 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 3: guy worked so hard just from the day I first 88 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 3: met him, which he was really about eight or nine 89 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 3: years old when we first met, because he was getting 90 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:21,159 Speaker 3: some specialty training in basketball with the same coach that 91 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 3: my daughter was, so I would always see him. Then 92 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 3: I noticed he had a unique work ethic, even at 93 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 3: that age, you know, just getting extra working. And then 94 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 3: fast forward twenty fifteen and seventeen, I was a head 95 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 3: coach at his high school and was forcing it to 96 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 3: coach him then, and you know, there had some choices 97 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 3: to make. You know, he's an excellent baseball player, and 98 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: he was thinking of going to Appla State on full 99 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 3: schotlship to play baseball. And I told him, I said, man, 100 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 3: I think you really should walk on over here at 101 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 3: ency State. I really think you could make the team 102 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 3: and eventually get a scholarship. And lo and behold, that's 103 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 3: what he did. And I was had an excellent extra 104 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,160 Speaker 3: career at State and now he's a Viking. Man, gosh, somebody, 105 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 3: it's amazing. 106 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: And we're talking with Dwayne Washington, Number one traffic for 107 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: the Vikings back in nineteen ninety four. Beyond your individual honors, 108 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: what really strikes me, Dwayne was your durability. I don't 109 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: know if you've missed ever missed a game. I mean, 110 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 1: I just you were out there all the time. And 111 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 1: in this day and age, a lot of guys are 112 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 1: in the tub, as they say, and it's hard to 113 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: stay on the field with the physicality of the game. 114 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: How do you account for that? 115 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, no doubt. I mean, definitely it was hard 116 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 3: work and I think genetically, you know, my body was 117 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 3: built to play this game. But you know, I think 118 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:30,840 Speaker 3: one thing I did learn earlier on from a lot 119 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 3: of the older guys that were there at the Vikings 120 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 3: was that, hey, you know, once you get your shot, 121 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 3: you know you need to make sure you hold on 122 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 3: to it for as long as you can. And I 123 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 3: really took that to heart. You know. I just tried 124 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 3: to be as consistent as I could as a player, 125 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 3: and obviously I did everything I could at that time 126 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 3: to take care of my body. So one of the 127 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 3: main things I try to do is make sure I 128 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 3: made the tackles of solo tackle if you will, because 129 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 3: you know a lot of people get hurt when you know, 130 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 3: people piling on and all that kind of stuff. I 131 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 3: wanted to make sure John Randall knew that I got 132 00:05:57,800 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 3: the gall on the ground that we had to come 133 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 3: and try to knocked me out. 134 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 2: So when you were here, you were you know, you 135 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 2: spent some time with Robert Griffith, Corey Fuller, Orlando Thomas. 136 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 2: That is, uh, that's quite the crew. Give us some 137 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 2: give us some background on those guys and meeting rooms, 138 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: et cetera. 139 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: Great. 140 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 3: I mean, I was me and Griff you know, came 141 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 3: in together and still really close friends. And then you know, uh, 142 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 3: Ot and full came in the second year, you know, 143 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 3: and they came in talking so loud you have thought 144 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 3: that they were veterans there their first day in the 145 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 3: locker room. So, I mean they were just a blast, 146 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 3: and I think we all hit it off and got 147 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 3: some really good continuity going on. You know, even though 148 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 3: we were young at that particular time. You know, for 149 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 3: those three years four years from me and Griff, we 150 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 3: we we we had a blast and was able to 151 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 3: make some plays. You know, I think we're went to 152 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 3: the playoffs three out of those four years, right, Yeah. 153 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 2: The only year we missed was ninety five. That was 154 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 2: the only year we miss. 155 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 1: You mentioned John Randall here. You are a number one 156 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: draft pick, Johnny Randall goes undrafted and you're using the 157 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame. What what? What did you see from 158 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: him early on in your career talking about work ethic 159 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 1: and just the motor that never quit? And it remains 160 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: one of the most popular vikings ever when you hear 161 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: about Johnny Randall and his impact here in the Twins City. 162 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I mean you said, it was really eye 163 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 3: opening for me because I knew how much I worked out, 164 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 3: how hard I worked out, and then just to see 165 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 3: him six thirty seven o'clock in the morning already you know, 166 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 3: working out, jogging through the hallways and all that. I mean, 167 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 3: it just sits his mentality. The way he went about 168 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 3: it was something that I think a lot of us inspired, 169 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 3: you know, to be like you know, because we saw 170 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 3: the production that he put out, you know, each and 171 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 3: every Sunday. So why not try to mimic someone you 172 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 3: know like that? And I know for me, that's what 173 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 3: you know, I tried to do absolutely with different people. 174 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 3: I went about it a different way, but I was 175 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 3: watching him closely every day because I mean this guy was. 176 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 3: He was just amazing. He was an amazing player. 177 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 2: And Dwayne, what do you remember in those days? From uh? 178 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 2: I mean, let's face it, look at the coaching Look 179 00:07:57,560 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 2: at the defensive coaching staff that you were part of, 180 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 2: you know, with Tony Dungee's coordinator and then Monnie Kiffin 181 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 2: who was my position coach. But you have two unbelievable 182 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 2: defensive minds. John Teerlink, what was it like playing for 183 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 2: Tony Dungee? 184 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 3: I know, it's fast, I mean, I mean, you know, Pete. 185 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 3: I mean, Tony was just his character just it's just 186 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 3: amazing every time I think about it. I mean, I 187 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 3: mad have heard the guy what raise his voice maybe 188 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 3: two or three times. 189 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 2: Right, I heard I heard him yell. I remember him 190 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 2: yelling maybe I mean twice in training camp, and both 191 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 2: times the guy that he yelled at was cut the 192 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 2: next day. 193 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 3: For real. 194 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, he just I mean he didn't but he didn't 195 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,439 Speaker 2: raise his voice much. You had to be pretty egregious 196 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 2: to get Tony upset, right. 197 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 3: That's right. You know, I think the biggest thing that 198 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 3: really struck me about Tony, really changed my life at 199 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 3: that time, was, you know, we had Bible studies on Wednesdays, 200 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 3: and Tony would be there with us, with the players, 201 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: you know, and just listening to him, you know, speak 202 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 3: upon his life and not shine away from you know, 203 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 3: certain questions, and it just it just really humbled me 204 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 3: in such a way that I was like, man, this 205 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 3: guy's following christ I think I want to do the same. 206 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 3: So that was a very very poigny for time in 207 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 3: my life. And Tony was a big part of that. 208 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: Duane, you were able to test the free agent market 209 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: right before the vikings went on at fifteen to one 210 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,599 Speaker 1: season of ninety eight, You're end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 211 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: I named Bill Kauer was the head coach, and ultimately 212 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: you played in the FC Central Division, of course, and 213 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: lost in the championship game to a guy named Tom Brady. Right, 214 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 1: what do you recall playing against that, that guy named 215 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:31,719 Speaker 1: Tom Brady with the Patriots. 216 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, obviously town was young men, that was one, 217 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 3: and then we had the number deepest in the league 218 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 3: at that point in Pittsburgh, So we mean we felt 219 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 3: pretty good about it. I mean, actually we had you know, 220 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 3: knock come out of that game, if you remember, but 221 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 3: the old wiley veteran got in there. Andrew Bletso and 222 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 3: he started throwing around a little bit. But you know, 223 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 3: that's that's one game that definitely sticks in my mind 224 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 3: because it hurt so bad. You know, you get so close, 225 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 3: you know, the same way as the biking. 226 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, we know that feeling. Yeah, you get so. 227 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 3: Close, but you're so far away with you know the 228 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 3: clocks Shrek zero and you know it's all over and 229 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 3: you're not the super Bowl. So but that's how it goes, 230 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 3: you know, that's how the game goes. 231 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 1: Stick around for more school Stories presented by three M, 232 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 1: the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. We'll be 233 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 1: back with more from Dwayne Washington right after this. 234 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 2: Welcome back to tonight's edition a Skull Stories presented by 235 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 2: three M, the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. 236 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 2: From the field to the roof and everywhere in between. 237 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 2: Three M, the official science partner in the Minnesota Vikings, 238 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 2: is here. Visit Vikings dot com slash skull Science to 239 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 2: learn more. Now let's get back into our conversation with 240 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 2: former Vikings cornerback Dwayne Washington. Dwayne, you had a chance 241 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 2: to sit in the stands and watch the Vikings take 242 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 2: on the Carolina Panthers. You know, Brian Flores brings a 243 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 2: different he brings it. It's it's his juxtaposed as of 244 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 2: what we had on defense a year ago. What do 245 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 2: you think of the defense and with what you saw, 246 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:02,440 Speaker 2: what did you like about it? It's sort of similar 247 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 2: to someone what the Pittsburgh Steelers did a year ago 248 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 2: years ago? But did any of it ring true to 249 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 2: you or what stood out? 250 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 3: Well? I think the focus stood out were the safeties. 251 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 3: I mean I thought they moved around pretty good. You know, 252 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:16,319 Speaker 3: a big part of what you do in the NFL 253 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 3: was trying to disguise, and it seems like they had 254 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 3: a lot of that going on with the inner workings 255 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 3: from the from the D line to the linebackers to 256 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,959 Speaker 3: the safeties the corners. To me, you know, they seemed 257 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,440 Speaker 3: somewhat static in what they were doing, but I mean 258 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:30,559 Speaker 3: they were effective. You know, that was the first time 259 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 3: I really watched them closely. But no, I mean I 260 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 3: liked what they were doing. You know, I've said it 261 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 3: starts and end with the D line, you know, and 262 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 3: the edge rushers. They were getting some pressure, so I 263 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 3: mean it starts to ends there. Guys. 264 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 1: Is it the hardest position still when you watch, and 265 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: there's always controversy when you look at some of the 266 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: calls that are made. The NFL wants you offense to 267 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:53,719 Speaker 1: put up the points. Everyone's always said that as it 268 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:56,880 Speaker 1: changed as a as a game, even gotten more difficult 269 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: for a man who played your position to make aster 270 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 1: it given the fact that no matter what it seems like, 271 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 1: the flags that have come out for defensive holding or 272 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 1: pass interference. 273 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 3: You know, I think that that's somewhat relative. It just 274 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 3: started to change when I played. I mean, we still 275 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 3: could tug a little bit more, I think than they 276 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 3: can now. But more importantly, it's just what's changed up front. 277 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 3: You know, to d Liman, they having such a small 278 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,440 Speaker 3: window to hit, if you will, when it comes quarterbacks. 279 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:23,959 Speaker 3: You know, so quarterbacks they're standing in there a little 280 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 3: bit longer than they typically would have. When we were playing. 281 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:29,599 Speaker 3: They were gonna get that ball out pretty much in 282 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 3: three seconds because they took a lot more hits back then, 283 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 3: so that ball came out a lot quickery. 284 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 2: How many more interceptions would you have had if you 285 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 2: were able to wear the gloves that they have now? 286 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 3: Oh, I don't know, if I mean, it's not just 287 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 3: the gloves, you know, the hand out coordation, all that. 288 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 3: I mean, I definitely missed some. I ended up with 289 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 3: thirty one, but I think I would definitely got over 290 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 3: for there. 291 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: No question, you got a chance to play for some 292 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: big name head coach, as we mentioned the late Denny 293 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,680 Speaker 1: Green here of course, with the Vikings Bill Kahr and Pittsburgh, 294 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: Jack del Real, the former linebacker here with Minnesota in Jacksonville, 295 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 1: and the legendary Dick for a Meal in Kansas City. 296 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,200 Speaker 1: I mean, I assume you learn quite a bit from 297 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,079 Speaker 1: all of them in different different facets of your your 298 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:11,920 Speaker 1: game and your life and your life as well. 299 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, I really did. I mean, and and you know, 300 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:16,079 Speaker 3: I never really thought of this, but they all was 301 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 3: so different, you know, so unique. I mean, obviously, when 302 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 3: I walked into to Jackieville, Jacket is laying on the 303 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:27,080 Speaker 3: on the training table. You know, he's getting treatment. And 304 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 3: the fact that you know I played with him in Minnesota, 305 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 3: that was somewhat odd initially, you know, I figured out 306 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 3: real quick, Okay, hold on, now he's the head coach. 307 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:39,079 Speaker 3: Now I thought that was great. And then and get 308 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 3: Dick for Meal. His last year in coaching was was 309 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 3: really really unique. But because he was still the same 310 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 3: as he was in nineteen eighty five. We still was 311 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 3: having the three hour practices and all this. You know, 312 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 3: it was just it was tough. 313 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:52,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was a that was a tough place to 314 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:54,560 Speaker 2: end your career, right, I mean. 315 00:13:54,960 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 3: It really was. I knew it was going. But really 316 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 3: admired him because I've never seen anybody is passionate about 317 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 3: the game as he was. Then. Obviously, as you guys know, 318 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 3: he wore it on his leave. He didn't you know, 319 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 3: he didn't mind breaking down, you know, but but you 320 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 3: saw where it was coming from, you know, just being 321 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 3: in the locker room with him. So and you can't 322 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 3: say enough about about coach Ky and type coach he is. 323 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 3: He obviously he just went into the ring honor here 324 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 3: and he stayed. So I just told him this past 325 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 3: week on Friday, So that was a well deserved honor 326 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 3: for him. We got to you know, chop it up 327 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 3: a little old members there and and I mean then 328 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 3: Denny's my guy, because like I said, Danny took a 329 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 3: chance on me. So yeah, that's my guy. 330 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 2: You what was your what was your welcome to the 331 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 2: NFL moment? As far as receivers. Go, I just remember 332 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 2: mind being my first start in ninety five against Barry Sanders. 333 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 2: Oh boy, right, And then you know, for you what 334 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 2: receivers stand out in your career in your mind that 335 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 2: were just uh, you know, number one, when you're kind 336 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 2: of in on you don't even can't believe you're on 337 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 2: a field with them. And then the other guys that 338 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 2: impressed you along the way. 339 00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 3: Well, for me, go back to the first game. If 340 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 3: I remember, Craig, that first game was at Green Bay, correct, 341 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 3: and we obviously playing against my man Sterling Sharp and 342 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 3: being a you know, a North Carolina, South Carolina guy, 343 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 3: knew him and admired him growing up, and he was 344 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 3: really in his prime, you know at that time. So 345 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 3: I mean I didn't sleep much, you know, the night before, 346 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 3: you know, in that game, but I can remember just 347 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 3: running around, you know, trying to make plays and stuff, 348 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 3: and about midway through the third quarter or whatever, he 349 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 3: kind of tapped me on the butt after I broke 350 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 3: a playoff. He's like, oh, you're gonna be all right, 351 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 3: young fella, you know, And that did so much for 352 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 3: my confidence, you know, because I'm like, man, this is Sterling, 353 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 3: you know, he telling me, I'm gonna be all right. 354 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 3: So and I think from there, you know, that just 355 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 3: helped me tremendously to move forward. And I learned really 356 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 3: really quick that you can't worry about the name on 357 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 3: the back of the jersey because all these guys are pros. Man, 358 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 3: They're all are great. 359 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,360 Speaker 1: Talking with former Viking cornerback Dwayne Washington, who is proven 360 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: you can go home again. You're back in your hometown 361 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:57,040 Speaker 1: of Durham, North Carolina. Why is that area meant so 362 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,040 Speaker 1: much to you post career and as you continue to 363 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 1: to help young people and help the community. 364 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I'm just a you know, North Carolina guys, 365 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 3: a caron. I was born in Sacaline. We moved here 366 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 3: when I was two, and and this is just home. 367 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 3: This is home. This is where all the family is. 368 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:15,360 Speaker 3: So we knew we would We wanted to be close 369 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 3: in your family, you know, raising the kids and stuff 370 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 3: like that. I mean, my parents helped tremendously, hurt my 371 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,320 Speaker 3: wife's parents help tremendously as uh as the kids are 372 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 3: growing up. So it's just a special special place. You know. 373 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 3: You two hours from the beach, you know, and you 374 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 3: two hours from the mountain. So I mean, you can 375 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 3: you can go and have some fun on the weekends 376 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 3: if you like. So just great people, you know, down 377 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 3: home country people, and you know, we enjoy it. 378 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 2: Now you're you're still involved in NC State. I mean 379 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 2: a lot of guys that have played in the NFL 380 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 2: are involved with their colleges. But if I'm not mistaken, 381 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 2: you've got like stuff, you have stuff, they're named after you. 382 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 2: That's how involved you are in state now, right, that's 383 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 2: a different that's a different level. 384 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, I mean we we obviously were 385 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 3: blessed and in ANC State. That's how to where I 386 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 3: met my wife. And as soon as I got out, 387 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 3: I said, you know, I wanted to get involved with university. 388 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,359 Speaker 3: And I've pretty much been on just about every board 389 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 3: over there. I just rolled off the board Trustees. I 390 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 3: was on there for eight years and throughout that time, 391 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 3: we definitely have made some commitment to the school. Last 392 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 3: one about three years ago, we made a place for 393 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:23,719 Speaker 3: a million dollars to the university. Half that goes to university, 394 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 3: half go to athletic department, just to help our young people, 395 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,720 Speaker 3: you know, in all different facets, whether that's scholarships and football, 396 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 3: or whether that's helping kids get access to different camps 397 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,919 Speaker 3: of stuff in the summertime. From a university perspective, we 398 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 3: do all we can as a family to be involved 399 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 3: because you know, especially at PWIS, I think they need 400 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,600 Speaker 3: to see, you know, more and more minorities be involved. 401 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 2: From financial perspective, and and Dayne, I'm telling you that's 402 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 2: what Denny saw in you. I appreciate that's what Denny 403 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:52,399 Speaker 2: saw in you. I know he saw that in you, 404 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:53,920 Speaker 2: and that's why he drafted you when he did. 405 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:54,159 Speaker 3: Well. 406 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: Hey, Draane Washington, it's been great catching up with you today. 407 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for sharing your school stories with 408 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 1: us today and tonight. And take care of yourself and 409 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: hope to Tope pulled the run into you here back 410 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:06,119 Speaker 1: in the Twin Cities again sometime. 411 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 3: Yes, they're absolutely thanks for having me, guys, go vit. 412 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,439 Speaker 1: Again. A big thank you to Dwayne for joining the 413 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 1: show tonight. All right, Pete, let's do a quick look 414 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:18,880 Speaker 1: ahead to the game versus the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. 415 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:20,800 Speaker 1: The Vikings, of course, earned their first win of the 416 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 1: season last week iguinst the Carolina Panthers. It started off, yeah, 417 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: more than a little Rocky, but the defense helped the 418 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 1: team get their feet underneath them to secure that victory. 419 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith, the veteran, provided the ever important spark, notching 420 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 1: three sacks force fumble that led to that DJ one 421 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:40,600 Speaker 1: Um touchdown run in the third quarter. The defense, the course, 422 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: has a tough challenge ahead of them, that's an understatement. 423 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,160 Speaker 1: They try to solve the puzzle always provided by Patrick 424 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:48,959 Speaker 1: Mahomes and the Chiefs offense. But I guess if that 425 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: game versus that just showed anything on Sunday night, maybe 426 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:53,960 Speaker 1: for the first time it looked like the Chiefs don't 427 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,199 Speaker 1: look as unstoppable as they've seemed in previous seasons. So 428 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,200 Speaker 1: what do you think about the defensive keys against Mahomes 429 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 1: as a four linebacker trying to keep this man from 430 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:04,920 Speaker 1: breaking that back baking play. 431 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 2: Well, there's a couple of things. First of all, you 432 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:11,119 Speaker 2: get Harrison Smith. He's a Swiss Army knife of football players, right, 433 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 2: he can do anything. And I think the versatility is 434 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 2: being used by Flores in the right way. And so 435 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,000 Speaker 2: for him, how happy must he be to stay here 436 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 2: and be able to do these things right? Have some 437 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 2: fun out there? So, Rosie, if I here's the thing 438 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 2: with the Chiefs. If I told you that they had 439 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 2: four hundred and seven total yards against the New York 440 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 2: Jets and said, give me a ratio on run past yardage, 441 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,040 Speaker 2: most people out there would say, well, yeah, about eighty 442 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 2: percent through the air, seventy five percent through the air. No, 443 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 2: they had more yards on the ground than they did throwing, right. So, 444 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 2: I think if there is a shift, if there's a 445 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:50,679 Speaker 2: change in this in this Kansas City offense, it's in 446 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 2: the running game. And they do a wonderful job the 447 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,880 Speaker 2: old West Coast offense when I when I first got 448 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,119 Speaker 2: into the league and they were doing that out the 449 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 2: San Francisco forty nine ers and Bill Walsh and the 450 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 2: whole thing. This running game reminds me of that because 451 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 2: it's very very well orchestrated. They man block up front. 452 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 2: They don't run zone here, zone here, cutback, zone, outside zone. 453 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 2: It's a jet sweet look. Then with the counter everything 454 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 2: plays off of what they have already done. And they 455 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:24,639 Speaker 2: have a guy in Pacheco who is fast, he's tough, 456 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:29,120 Speaker 2: and that running game has become formidable. So if there's 457 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:31,919 Speaker 2: anything that I'm surprised about, you're playing the Chiefs and 458 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 2: you have to be concerned about stopping the run. This 459 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 2: is a team that yeah, okay, we'll take away Mahomes, 460 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 2: we'll intercept the ball two or three times, doesn't mean 461 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 2: you're going to win because of this running game. That's 462 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:44,720 Speaker 2: the part about this Chiefs team that surprises me the most. 463 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, the late round draft pick Pachecko from Rutgers, what 464 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 1: an impact he's made in that offense. Speak of the 465 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: running game, the Vikings showed some life against the Panthers. 466 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: It felt like, you know, the combination the addition of 467 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: cam Akers, we finally got to look at him and 468 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: Alexander Madison. They got something going. They for hunt undred 469 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:02,199 Speaker 1: and thirty five yards rushing. You feel this can be 470 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: a recipe for success. Keeping Mahomes off the field as 471 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:09,200 Speaker 1: long as possible against that defense on Sunday afternoon. 472 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 2: Right, and I think we saw that. You know, the 473 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 2: Vikings had a one touchdown lead with about eight minutes left. 474 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:14,600 Speaker 2: When we get the football, it's like, that's where, that's 475 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 2: where you want to have a running game. Right. I 476 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:20,680 Speaker 2: think the addition of cam Akers has helped only because 477 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:23,359 Speaker 2: the first couple of times he touched the football, just 478 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:26,399 Speaker 2: the way he operates in this system it was for him. 479 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:29,119 Speaker 2: It just looked like it was very familiar. And I 480 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 2: do believe that that is going to help Alexander Madison, 481 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,879 Speaker 2: not only from a motivational standpoint and saying, hey, I 482 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,200 Speaker 2: got to share, you know, share touches with somebody else, 483 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:40,679 Speaker 2: but just how he went about doing it. So the 484 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 2: running game is starting to emerge. You know, he had 485 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 2: one hundred and twenty yards rushing going into the fourth quarter. 486 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 2: They have to keep building on it because you know 487 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:51,200 Speaker 2: what Kirk does as well as any quarterback in the league, 488 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 2: and that's play action. He's so deadly when he can 489 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 2: play fake, turn his back on a defense, get to 490 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 2: the top of his drop and hit JJ and stride 491 00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 2: across the middle of the field. Those are the plays 492 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 2: to keep defensive coordinators up at night. And if we 493 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 2: can run the ball, I think we can do that well. 494 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:07,639 Speaker 1: The Vikings looking for that first home win of the season. 495 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: Of course, they're fans, we loud as always. We'll look 496 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 1: to give the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes a warm welcome 497 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: during their inaugural visits to the US Bank Stadium Sunday afternoon. 498 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,679 Speaker 1: Keep in mind, it's a three twenty five start so 499 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 1: fans should be sure to enjoy the festivities early and 500 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: often before that showdown begins. Well, Pete, always a pleasure 501 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: for having you on the show, and thank you fans 502 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 1: for tuning into another edition of Skull Stories presented by 503 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 1: three M, the official science partner of the Minnesota Vikings. 504 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:37,720 Speaker 1: We'll see you all again next week.