1 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: Welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast, an NFL podcast for 2 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: the players, by the players. Here's your host, fourteen year 3 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:23,440 Speaker 1: NFL veteran and Hall of Famer a Enius Williams. Hello 4 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: and welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast. I am a 5 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: Nius Williams. Today I'm exciteting we get a chance to 6 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:33,360 Speaker 1: talk to two guys at a fresh out of the game. 7 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: I'll just call him rookie retirees. Alfano contains two great 8 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 1: office of players. First, we have Nick Mangold from the 9 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,560 Speaker 1: Ohio State University who played center for the New York Jets. 10 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,800 Speaker 1: We also have tight end Heath Miller, who played eleven 11 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: season with the Pitchburgh Steelers and also played his college 12 00:00:55,680 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: ball at the University of Virginia. Welcome, gentlemen, glad to 13 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: be here. So I know that the first year is rough. 14 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: That's what we hear a lot of times, the first year, 15 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 1: that transition is rough. What is one thing that nobody 16 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,960 Speaker 1: tells you about that first year out of the game 17 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 1: when you leave the plan field heat. I think it's 18 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 1: just a completely new normal and a new routine that 19 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: you have to create and get used to. You wake 20 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 1: up every day You're used to having structure to your day, 21 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:28,319 Speaker 1: and I think that first season is just now you're 22 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 1: at home, if you have a family, they've got their schedule, 23 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: they're doing their thing that they've been doing. Yeah, now 24 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: you're just trying to find your find your path and 25 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: find your way and see where you can fit in 26 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: the mix. And that was probably the hardest thing for me. Yeah. 27 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 1: I mean in the same way. Um. You know, you 28 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: you spend all your time at the facility. You know, 29 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 1: you're at games and you're doing everything, and especially I 30 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: got a wife and kids at home and coming into 31 00:01:57,120 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: it when you're you're done, you don't have anything to do, 32 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: and it's like, all right, how do I get into 33 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 1: their routine and everything and pick up where I can? Um. 34 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 1: But at the same time, you have this feeling in 35 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: your mind like I'm retired, Like I don't have to 36 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: do anything. It's great, And then you realize, well, the 37 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: kids still have to get the school, someone still has 38 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: to pick them up, they have sports, they have, you know, 39 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: stuff to do, and you realize, you know, everyone always 40 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: has this retired um image in their mind where you're 41 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 1: on a beach somewhere playing golf and you know, playing 42 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: golf in the morning, you're having lunch, you're going you know, 43 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: you're you're doing a little stuff around the house, and 44 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: you have dinner and you do it all over again, 45 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: and that's UM. I think that's a little bit of 46 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 1: a fantasy for those of us that are coming out. UM. 47 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:44,399 Speaker 1: That's not all NFL retired players. I think it's true 48 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 1: for some of them, but those of us with little 49 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 1: ones and at the truth, I'm still waiting for that 50 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: to happen to Yeah, I know, right. Why do you 51 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 1: think so many people consider the word transition a bad 52 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 1: word when it comes down to leaving the game. I 53 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 1: think for me, transition like it sounds like you're supposed 54 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 1: to do something else, right, and you if you're able 55 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: to do it for a long amount of time and 56 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 1: you put your passion into it and you've been able 57 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 1: to um give everything you have for the game. I 58 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,800 Speaker 1: think when when people here transition like, all right, well 59 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: now I'm I retired a week later, all right, now 60 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: here's what I have to do. There's a lot of 61 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: programs to say, here, what do you want to do 62 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: when you're done playing? UM? And at that moment, there 63 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: are some guys that are focused that. You know, when 64 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: I'm done, I want to get into coaching, like right 65 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 1: out of the gate, I'm going to coach, or I 66 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: want to go broadcasting, and so they have there are 67 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: those people, but there's a lot of people where they're 68 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 1: focused on football and they have an idea in their mind, 69 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: well it would be great if I could do this 70 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: or do that, but I'm not really focused on it. 71 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: And when they when I think guys here transition, they're like, 72 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: all right, now you're a week out, time to go, 73 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: and you need to have a little bit time to say, 74 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: all right, I'm gonna sit back, I'm gonna relax. Um, 75 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: I just put in you know, eleven years. I'm gonna 76 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: take this moment to spend a little bit time with 77 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: my kids and I'm gonna see what's Hey, why do 78 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 1: you think the guys feel that rush? Just as you 79 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,159 Speaker 1: said Nick, in terms of and how are you dealing 80 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 1: with that? It's like, is it because we feel we've 81 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 1: gone from doing something daily and then now we at home? 82 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 1: Is it that anxiety that says I need to be 83 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: out doing something. Yeah, I think that's part of it. 84 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,840 Speaker 1: I think as a player, you know, very seldom are 85 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 1: we sitting on the couch at home. We're always seeking 86 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 1: ways to become a better football player. And that's been 87 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 1: our life up until we're done, until the game stops. 88 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 1: And I think so it's an uncomfortable feeling I think 89 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: for us as players to not know where you're going, 90 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: what you're doing. If you think about a football season, 91 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: every week, there's a state of goal at the end 92 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:56,039 Speaker 1: of the week, and you spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 93 00:04:56,080 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 1: Saturday working towards that goal, and then you either accomplish 94 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: the goal or you don't put it behind you and 95 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: you move on to the next. UM. So, not to 96 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 1: have that stated goal, that defined goal, I think UM 97 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,840 Speaker 1: is different. And then you have everyone sayd hey, congratulations 98 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 1: on retirement. What are you gonna do next? That every time, 99 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: every time, every time. I think, at first I was uncomfortable, 100 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 1: like I don't really know. I felt bad like I 101 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 1: don't know, I don't know. But now I mean, it's 102 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: okay not to know. Um, I've learned that, Nick. What 103 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: do you miss most about playing? Uh? You know what 104 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 1: I miss most is the the guys in the locker room, 105 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: the camaraderie that goes on you know. I I don't 106 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:44,840 Speaker 1: miss banging. I don't miss uh, you know, beat in 107 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 1: the weight room at five in the morning. The relationships, 108 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 1: the interactions UM and then also the chess match of it. 109 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 1: The learning of football, the learning of plays, the learning 110 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 1: of UM different techniques and everything. I always found that 111 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: to be fascinating when you're looking at how a defense played, 112 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 1: how they played you, what you were doing to go 113 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 1: against them, design of plays run past like. It's that 114 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 1: whole mental side of the game was one of my 115 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: Even playing it was probably my favorite part more than 116 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 1: the actual banging. Is there something you guys learned six 117 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: weeks out versus six months out as relates to being 118 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 1: a legend now? I think the biggest one for me 119 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 1: was the transition of not only myself, you know and 120 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 1: in dealing with it, but my wife also now learning 121 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: what new normal is. And there was one we joke 122 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: about it all the time, there's probably six months into 123 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: it where she um, it was the night before we 124 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: had just finished dinner and she looked at me because, so, 125 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 1: what are you doing tomorrow? I was like, you know 126 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: exactly what I'm doing tomorrow. Nothing, what do you want 127 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 1: me to do? And then it was like, oh right, well, yeah, sorry, 128 00:06:57,880 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: we got a good chow. We still get a chuck 129 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 1: out of that. One was like, well it wasn't on 130 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: the calendar, because nothing's on the calendar right now. He 131 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: How how has it impacted your family you being home 132 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: now and talked about a little bit earlier. Yeah, I 133 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: think it's it's it's been a positive for me, and 134 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: I think the kids and my wife has enjoyed. But 135 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: like I said, there's this transitioning phase that you go 136 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: through as a family to create your new normal. I 137 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 1: think my wife is relinquished a few duties to me, 138 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 1: and I know I don't do them as well, sir, 139 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: And she reminds me of that sometimes, but I say, hey, 140 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: I appreciate the help. I can go to the grocery 141 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: store sometimes and you know, I might forget a couple 142 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: of things. But one thing I you know, as a 143 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 1: football player, always told where to go, what time to 144 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: be there. We're giving a structured schedule and I had 145 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: to stop waking up every day and see what are 146 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 1: we gonna do today? To my wife, what do you 147 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: want me to do today? She's like, I'm not your coach. 148 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: You gotta forgure that out. The one that gets me 149 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: is lunch. I always ask you, like, will be either 150 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 1: eating breakfast or have just finished, Like, what do you 151 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 1: want to do for lunch? Like, I don't know, usually 152 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: just grab a yogurt or something. Because we're running the 153 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: kids around, so you're used to having lunch ready for you. 154 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 1: Why do you keep asking me? Sorry? But back to 155 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:19,559 Speaker 1: the point when yeah, yeah, what's the best ward about 156 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: being an NFL legend? Just looking back on your career 157 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 1: is something you'll always be very proud of. Um, But 158 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: it's nice to have this legends community where UM guys 159 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 1: in our shoes can connect because oftentimes, when you're done 160 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: with the team, that camaraderie that you miss and you 161 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: crave and you became accustomed to, everybody disperses and you 162 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: keep in touch with a few guys. But what you 163 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 1: can't right right? Can you get the kid holes together? Yeah? 164 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 1: I don't know about Pittsburgh, but you know New Jersey. 165 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: Nobody stays in New Jersey. Everyone everyone jets out of there. 166 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: I think there's only like three of us that stick 167 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,800 Speaker 1: start around. Yeah, it's pretty number of guys, A number 168 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 1: of guys, Yeah, number of guys stayed like a lot 169 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: of guys from the seventies stuck around. Um. And then 170 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 1: there was a time early in my career where a 171 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 1: lot of guys were retiring and leaving. And then towards 172 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,599 Speaker 1: the end when I retired, several guys have decided to 173 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: stick around. So that's that's nice. I left and went 174 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 1: to Virginia. But those guys, it's great for them. They 175 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: send me pictures and texts and they're all together, so 176 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:26,559 Speaker 1: that's it's great. Yeah, But do even if you guys 177 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: have any five year tenure plans that you've thought about. 178 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 1: Thus four uh, let's see if I can get to 179 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 1: I have a what is it, my daughter's five months? 180 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:38,679 Speaker 1: I need her to be four. I got a four 181 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:42,200 Speaker 1: year plan because then she'll be in full school and 182 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 1: I can go out and golf in the morning and 183 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:45,439 Speaker 1: then come home for lunch, and then I can pick 184 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: the kids up from school. So that's my it's my 185 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: four year plan right there. That sounds like a good plan. 186 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: They have to adopt. It's written down, you know. We 187 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: have we have four as well, and um, you know 188 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 1: we we span from eight uh down to five months. 189 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: And so as I'm watching my eight year old go 190 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 1: through and seeing those steps and then having the two 191 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 1: in the middle they're falling along and knowing you know 192 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 1: that the baby is the baby, and so all right, 193 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:16,679 Speaker 1: we get to this mouse stone, now I can do this, 194 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:19,679 Speaker 1: and you get to this mousetone. Now like once they 195 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: get to this mouseton I don't have to do another diaper. 196 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: This is awesome. What advice do you guys have for 197 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,560 Speaker 1: the next group of Legends coming out? If any, I 198 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: would say it's you know, there's no probably easy way 199 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: or shortcut to go through the transition. Everybody's gonna have 200 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,559 Speaker 1: to go through it. But I would say, realize you're 201 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: not alone, and it's okay to not know what you're 202 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 1: gonna do next. Um, it's okay to be in this 203 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: period where you know when people are asking you what's next, 204 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: So what's next? It's okay to say I don't know, 205 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 1: you know, and just soaking all the moments. For me, 206 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: it was, um, I just try to value the time 207 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: with my family that maybe I didn't get when I 208 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 1: was playing. I get the uh soaking being at the 209 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,959 Speaker 1: soccer games on Saturday instead of getting the phone call 210 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: afterwards and hearing about it. So what about unit. Yeah, 211 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 1: I think it's realizing the place that you're in right 212 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 1: now while you're playing and everyone talks about you know, 213 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 1: you gotta enjoy the moment um, whether it's whether you're 214 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: losing or you're winning. You know, you have this time together. 215 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 1: You need to enjoy it, but also know that when 216 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 1: it's done, it's not the end of the world and 217 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 1: there's new joys, new fun, new excitements to be had, 218 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: and especially those with kids. Um, you know, I feel 219 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 1: like as NFL players would miss out on a large 220 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 1: amount of activities and you know, being able to do 221 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,680 Speaker 1: those like you know, he was saying, going going actual 222 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: soccer and being a part of you know, flag football 223 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,800 Speaker 1: and stuff like that. It's it's neat to see and 224 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 1: it's a lot of fun and I think appreciating the 225 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 1: opportunity that you get to see that. Have you guys 226 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 1: figured out how to come would now your win When 227 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: we played the game, we always right, it's when you're losing, 228 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 1: we always striving obviously for winning. But how now with 229 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 1: this new normal, have you settled down or have you 230 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 1: just taken a win out as relates to I'm gonna 231 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: tell you my wins or if we show up somewhere 232 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: on time, that is my victory for the day, and 233 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 1: I count that as a win every day. If we 234 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: can make school on time, if we can make it 235 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: to you know, practice on time, if we can make 236 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: it to church on time. I still can't understand, can't 237 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:36,800 Speaker 1: fathom nine am, Mass. I'm up at six thirty and 238 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 1: we still can't make it there on time. I don't 239 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 1: know what we're doing wrong, but that's that's my little 240 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,959 Speaker 1: You might need to get one of your what we 241 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: call equipment guys man to come and set up you 242 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: a little set up, and you know you have offs 243 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 1: ready to go everything. But but uh, did you guys 244 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 1: with the Jets and the Steelers have even though we 245 00:12:58,240 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: knew what to put our back, you have to check 246 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 1: sheet we always had would have been good. Ye yeah, 247 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: we always had invariably somebody that didn't pay attention to 248 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: it and leave this stuff and we had home. It's 249 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: the stuff, you know, but invariably somebody goes away it 250 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 1: forgets about it. So that might help them, That might 251 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: help a little bit. Maybe I don't know. I'm just 252 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 1: there's other times where I'm just accepting we're rolling in 253 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 1: four deep. This is we're gonna be late. Happy to 254 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 1: be here. You just happy to be here. If any 255 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 1: of you guys ever thought about coaching football, I've thought 256 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:38,839 Speaker 1: about it, I think, Um, But like I said, I'm 257 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 1: enjoying the time that I have with my family too. 258 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: To uh, to jump into this level of coaching or 259 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:47,199 Speaker 1: college level of coaching. You know, maybe down the line, 260 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: maybe it might fit the coach high school, but I 261 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 1: respect a ton of what those guys put in, the 262 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 1: amount of work and energy that goes into that, and 263 00:13:57,840 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 1: I don't think I'm fair to do that right now. 264 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 1: What do you think you haven't been out around the 265 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 1: same time as uh, Jason Wood When you guys see 266 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: recently announced he's going back. What do you think was 267 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: going through his mind? A good career, he's already at 268 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,960 Speaker 1: least what people say, but we don't know if it's 269 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: his passion. What do you guys think about that? What 270 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 1: do you think he was going through? Well? Based on 271 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 1: a statement that I saw, you know, he referenced the 272 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 1: cambarader of the locker room, how he enjoys preparing and 273 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 1: working because you know it's after you're done playing, you're 274 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:37,520 Speaker 1: not gonna find anything else that will replicate playing a 275 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: football game. Um, Like Nick was saying, you want to 276 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: find something that you're passionate about, but it's not gonna be. 277 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: It's not gonna be what football was for most of us. 278 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 1: Maybe someone else that's the case. So I can definitely 279 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:52,920 Speaker 1: relate to that. Sure you have moments that first offseason 280 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 1: where you the season starts and you turn on the game. 281 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: I don't think I watched football the first season, just 282 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: because it was just too odd for me not to 283 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: be in the huddle and not to be out there 284 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 1: in the field. Um, So it was easier for me. 285 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: I should say, not to put it out of my mind, 286 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: because you do have those thoughts. I wonder if I 287 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 1: could still do that, I should still be out there. 288 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: What about Unit? What do you think possibly Jason was 289 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: going through I mean, I'm sure he was going through it, 290 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 1: you know, seeing especially you know, having the Monday night game. 291 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 1: You know, he's seeing these guys playing everything. And I 292 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: sit there and I watched football, Um, and I look 293 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 1: at it and and I can still do that, please, um, 294 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: but knowing full well that I don't want to do it, 295 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 1: and I'm I'm very fortunate, and um, I'm in a 296 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: good spot where I've never had that itch, um to 297 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: get back in there. I got an inch to like 298 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 1: hang out in the hot tub cold toub, but it 299 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: would be nice, but to go to go back into it, 300 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 1: it never came around. I enjoy watching it, um, I 301 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: love watching it, and I love seeing you know, the 302 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: guys play the handful of guys left that I know, 303 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: And but there's hasn't been since I stopped, and since 304 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: I decided that I was done, I haven't had even 305 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 1: any itch to get back into it. Do you find yourself? 306 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 1: For me personally? When I watched the game, I a 307 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: lot of times I watch it by myself because if 308 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: I'm in a room with people watching it, just invariable 309 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: I have to just kind of not get into it 310 00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 1: the way I'm because we don't see it the same 311 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:29,400 Speaker 1: way obviously, what about you guys a little bit? But 312 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: my son is crazy about football, so he's usually the 313 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: one who's initiating the games we watched, so I'm tagging 314 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 1: along with him. For the most part, I'm watching the 315 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 1: games and I'm my little guy is sucked into a 316 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 1: two football cards all of a sudden have become huge. 317 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: I don't know why, but he loves his little football 318 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 1: cards and all the stats and everything. But watching it 319 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,360 Speaker 1: with him, you know, seeing his you know, watching through 320 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 1: kids eyes and just seeing the fans side of it, 321 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: where I'm watching it getting mad at the guys that 322 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: mess up, and then getting mad at the announcers that 323 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 1: mess up, and sitting there and just getting angry and 324 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: everybody like, how are we all messing this up? This 325 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,960 Speaker 1: is a national football league. But he's watching Oh that 326 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: was great. It's like, yeah, but three guys messed up 327 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:11,120 Speaker 1: on that one play, and so have you had the experience? 328 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 1: You have to dread it. Now we go through the 329 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: regular uh waiting room. Um, yes, there's been a couple 330 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: of those where it's just like, no, but we should 331 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: be going I go that like I think it was 332 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: at the airport at the one time, Like, yeah, but 333 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 1: that that's the screening we should go through. We go 334 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: through that one. Then we don't have to wait in 335 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 1: this line. I don't I don't know why we're doing this. 336 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: I think it was it was barred olds who we 337 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 1: may have been doing one what who? Who? Who? Said? 338 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 1: That was one of the biggest challenges. Getting used to 339 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 1: go into the doctor's office and in a waiting room. 340 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: He said, that was real tough boy. You heat have 341 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 1: you I haven't been to the doctor. Yes, still yeah maybe, 342 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:00,960 Speaker 1: but I will say we just got my wife's car 343 00:18:01,040 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 1: service before I came, and it took a lot longer 344 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:06,360 Speaker 1: than I used to have taken. They used to bring 345 00:18:06,359 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 1: the car back to the house. Like, no, we don't 346 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: do that. So how do you stay engaged with the game? 347 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: Obviously you guys are here mentor and some of the 348 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: college athletes. How do you stay engaged with the game? Um? 349 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:25,360 Speaker 1: I think it's unfortunately, it has to be an effort made, 350 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 1: UM to try to stay so, you know, paying attention 351 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 1: to what's going on um on the field, you know, 352 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: watching the games and stuff, and then also making sure 353 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,480 Speaker 1: to check with the opportunities that are available. Um. You know, 354 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 1: I didn't even know this was the mentoring program was 355 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: even a thing until about two weeks ago. And so, uh, 356 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: nut's on me for just not looking into it. But um, 357 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: it was as soon as I was like, Hey, is 358 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 1: there anything to do with the combine? Like yeah, of course, 359 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 1: And I was like, oh, who knew? Um? And so 360 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:56,960 Speaker 1: I think looking into the opportunities that are out there, 361 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:01,919 Speaker 1: UM to actively stay engaged. How has it been with you? 362 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:03,880 Speaker 1: I saw you with your Legends gear. You know about 363 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: the Legends lounge. You mentioned a little bit earlier how 364 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 1: important it is you think for guys that a transitionally 365 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: run time now you guys are to stay connected. Yeah, 366 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:19,399 Speaker 1: I think, like Nick said, it takes effort and um, 367 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,360 Speaker 1: you know for some of us that may come natural. 368 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 1: For me, I'm more introverted, So I gotta really make 369 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: myself be proactive and and learning about these opportunities to 370 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: give back to the game, be around the game, and um, 371 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 1: for me, I know I'm always going to have this 372 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: football itch just to be able to do something like this. Uh, 373 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: you know feeds feeds that appetite for me. And and 374 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 1: I'll always enjoy h whether it be at this level, 375 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 1: college level, whatever level. Always can enjoy being around the game. 376 00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,320 Speaker 1: You're gonna get out there and do some drills. No, 377 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna show him house done here, let me 378 00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: sure done. Maybe run a thirty and it might time 379 00:19:57,280 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: the same as the most of the guys. Final course, 380 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 1: this is a unique one. I don't think I've asked 381 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: this one before. How would your wives describe the transition 382 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: you think I would say. She tells me, I get 383 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: in the way all the time. We have our routine, 384 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 1: get out of my way, but uh, there are times 385 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:24,160 Speaker 1: where and we found Uh, anytime I do something where 386 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: I'm gone for a day or two something short, it's 387 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 1: amazing how much that changes the home life when I 388 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 1: get back, because it's like, oh, yeah, you're back, You're 389 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 1: you know, the kids are sitting there, Oh yeah, we 390 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: like daddy, like you know, you give them a little 391 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: time to miss you, and you know, it seems to 392 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 1: work out really well. And so I think, um, you know, 393 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: once you get into that new normal and you're always around, um, 394 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: you know, it kind of loses some of that excitement 395 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: because then it's just becomes routine. So trying to find 396 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 1: ways to you know, um, keep things you know, fast 397 00:20:57,600 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 1: and loose where it's like, all right, you know this 398 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:02,679 Speaker 1: is um, this is how we're doing things. This is 399 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 1: how you know, new normal doesn't have to be just 400 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 1: a routine. That's good. What about you? I think one 401 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:13,480 Speaker 1: thing that probably I overlooked, and I feel like probably 402 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 1: a lot of people overlook is for our wives. They're 403 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,360 Speaker 1: they're going through this transition as much as we are 404 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 1: as players. You know that what they're used to, what 405 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: they're accustomed to, has just been turned upside down. And um, 406 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: so you know, there's a lot of information and headlines 407 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,880 Speaker 1: made about guys transition into their next step. But it's 408 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 1: also it's important for the wives too because uh, yeah 409 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:42,439 Speaker 1: they have a new kid sometimes at all, no adult. 410 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: Yeah they got a new adult kid that they got 411 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 1: to deal with. But yeah, I think that's uh, you 412 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: know that a lot of I don't know what the 413 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:54,520 Speaker 1: statistics are, but I know at one point in my 414 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:58,880 Speaker 1: career the divorce rate or whatever with NFL players going 415 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 1: through it, you know, you can easily see, Oh, I 416 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 1: can see how problems can exist now because the life 417 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: that they're accustomed to. Maybe if your wife's used to 418 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 1: doing things a certain way or going to certain places 419 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 1: and now you're retired, that's maybe that's not happening as 420 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 1: often as it used to when you retired. Um, plus 421 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:20,640 Speaker 1: the new normal and being around each other all the time, 422 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 1: it's it's easy to see how, um, you know, problems 423 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:26,639 Speaker 1: can occur. And so I want to thank you guys 424 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 1: for sharing your time and your stories are being candid 425 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 1: and open. So thank you. I'm a niss well Thank 426 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,959 Speaker 1: you for joining us on another NFL Legends podcast and 427 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:43,439 Speaker 1: the best is yet to come. This has been the 428 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: NFL Legends Podcast. To provide feedback or request a topic 429 00:22:47,720 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 1: for discussion, email us at NFL Legends at nfl dot com.