Adrian Peterson FULL EPISODE | EPISODE 21 | CLUB SHAY SHAY

Hello, welcome to another edition of. Club Shay Shay. I am your host, also the. proprietor of Club Shay Shay. The guy. that's stopping by for a drink and. conversation today. was a unanimous All-American in his. final season at the University of. Oklahoma. He was NFL Offensive Rookie of. the Year in 2007. He was NFL MVP in. 2012. A seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time. first-team All-Pro, unanimous All-Decade. of the 2010s, three-time rushing leader, two-time touchdown rushing leader, all. day Adrian Peterson.

AP, what's going on, bro? Not much, not. much. How you doing? I'm good, bro. How. you feeling? I'm feeling good, man. Feeling good, feeling rejuvenated, feeling fresh.

You're coming off a year 14. What have you learned about your body. and and and and how do you What do you. want to do? Well, I've learned about my body is. you know, taking care of it really pays. dividends. Right. Um so, like this at all my years, this probably has been the best off. season, you know, coming out, no. injuries, nothing nagging. Just feeling. really good, feeling fresh, you know, so.

I look forward to continuing to play. this game as long as possible. So, listening at you talk now, you say you. feel refreshed, you're rejuvenated, you. went into the off season, you don't. really have any injuries. So, it sounds. like you're leaning towards coming back. for year 15. Yes, sir. Definitely. You know, um one. thing I've always told myself is. I want to play this game to the point. where I'm able to retire on my own, you. know. You know, if my body starts telling me. something different, then, you know,

I'll shut it down a little earlier, but. you know, when I look back, I want to. know that I put my best effort out. there, I gave everything I had, and I. was still able to play at a high level. You said your body will tell you. Um. with your training, um it was reported. that you used to train five five and a. half hours a day. How have your training. changed as you've aged in the NFL? Um. I've cut back.

Um you know, I. I can't say I'm the same like I was when. I was 20-something years old, you know. the It was that the hardest thing cuz AP. I knew that the thing that hurt me is. that as I started to age, I still tried. to do the same volume, I tried to do the. same intensity, and it was killing my. quads, it was killing my hamstrings. I. didn't understand. I felt great, but my body just couldn't. take that. Is that what you're finding. out that you as much as you want to, you. just can't train like you could in your.

20s? Yeah, yeah, it's different, especially. like the main thing for me is the. recovery. Right. The the the recovery aspect of it is a. it's a lot longer, you know. I just. can't snap back like I used to, you. know, so I try to do things like pool. workouts, Pilates I've picked up on a. lot and to kind of tweak some of the. things that I'm doing. You mentioned a couple years back that. you would like to try to play until. you're 40. If I'm not mistaken, you're. going to be 36 in a couple of months. here. Do you still have aspirations of.

playing into your 40s as a running back? I do. I do. I do. You Now, you know. that's different than playing until. you're 40 as a quarterback. Exactly, exactly. And people say it all the time, but Tom Brady, he's 43. I'm I'm like. Yeah. Totally different positions, man. You. can barely touch those quarterbacks and. they're throwing the flag. I got 11 guys. coming at me. So, would you like It seems to me that. and we're going to talk about this a. little later that the the Lions you've. just finished your last season with the.

Lions. It seems like they're going in a. rebuilding mode. Is that something that. you want to be a part of? I know you. want an opportunity to compete for a. title. Do you believe the Lions will. present that opportunity for you next. year? I don't know, to be honest with you, because like the quarterback situation. that just took place, them bringing in. um what's his name, Jared? Jared Goff. Goff. Yeah, um. I don't I don't know how he'll fit. within that offense, you know, um I feel.

like they have the tools offensively, but there's a lot of guys that they were. on there last year, you know, Marvin. Jones, I don't know Golladay, if these. if these guys are not coming back, then. it's really going to be a a rebuilding, you know, um situation. And And of. course, that's not something that I that. I I would, you know, love to be a part. of, but you know, at the end of the day, it's like who's going to give me an. opportunity to come in and play, you. know? So, that's that's really the most. important thing. Obviously, you know,

being on a great team is is is what I I. would prefer, you know, to have an. opportunity to chase a championship. Uh. but at the end of the day, um if that. doesn't present itself, then I'm still. trying to play this game at a high level. and help the team try to accomplish that. goal. Are you surprised the Lions traded. Matthew Stafford considering that what. he was with that organization and how. well he has played over the years? Are. you surprised that they made this move? Yeah, I was surprised. I was surprised.

And it was interesting that I was. talking to my dad about this other day. that it was a mutual mutual, you know, understanding Yeah, decision. I was like, "Hmm, that's that's very. interesting taking that, you know, couple other guys that played there that. they didn't have that opportunity. Well, that's that's the way of saying. that one party wanted to leave. They. said it was mutually. It's kind of like. a relationship when we get a divorce, it. was a mutual parting of the way. No, somebody said we wanted out in the same. face. We both wanted out. Yeah, yeah.

So, yeah, that was that was an interesting. move. So, what are your expectations? Do you. believe that Matthew Stafford coming to. the the Rams gives them an opportunity. to win the title considering what they. have around him both offensively and. defensively and the great mind of Sean. McVay? Yeah, I do. I do. You know, when. they when they made the move, I was. like, "You know what? That was a win for. for the Rams because you think about. Mat- Matthew Stafford and his game and. being around him for a year, he's a very.

smart, you know, quarterback, you know. Um you know, some of the decisions that. he he made throughout the season, you. know, um it was kind of questionable, you. know, um. and but I I think that kind of stemmed. from his compa- he's so competitive, you. know, and he's he's he'll hold on to. that ball to the very last second. And sometimes it kind of cost us, you. know, four or five yards here. And our. defense, we didn't have that type of. defense that the Rams have that. they get three and out. They they don't.

come at. You know, so for his style, and. I'm sure he he also pressed a little. more because, you know, defensively we. really weren't stout. Um so, he I think. he was more than in in the mode of he. had to make something happen. Right. So, being with the Rams it's a totally. different, you know, environment that. he's going to be around. He's going to. have way more opportunities. He's not. going to feel like he has to, you know, force different things. So, I. Have to make every play. Every play, yeah, he don't have to do that now. So, I think it's going to be a really really.

good really good move for him. You. mentioned Tom Brady earlier. Tom Brady. is 43 playing in his 10th Super Bowl. Um. he said. about four or five years ago, he said. he'd like to play to 45. They asked him. the other day, he said, "Yeah, I might. be interested in playing beyond 45.". Does that give you hope that Tom Brady. thinks about playing to 45, maybe. beyond? Does that give you that, "You. know what? 40 might not be out of the possibility.". But that's a long ways away. That's that's five years That's five.

years from you. For you. Yeah, yeah, but it does, you know, it. does. Like when you when I look at guys. like Tom Brady, you know, Drew Brees. Drew Brees playing at 42. You know, I'm. just like that's for me that's more of. even though I understand that we play. different positions, but based on how I know my body feels, like. that still is motivation for me. It's. like, "You know what? These guys are, you know, doing the impossible, you. know, so why why can't I?". Why do you believe Tom has been so.

successful for so long to be able to. play at this level? It doesn't matter. the system, it doesn't matter the. players around him. It seems it doesn't. matter the coach that he's able to. maintain and perform at a very high. level. What do you think are some of the. keys to his success? Uh I would I would say number one is his. his his mental, you know, um. is his his mindset, you know, um just. you just hear him talk to guys and like. for instance, after they won the NFC.

Championship game, I heard one of the. linebackers, he was saying that uh you know, it was. some guys crying or he was shedding a. couple tears and. Tom Brady was like, you know, "What what. the [ __ ] you crying for?" You know, it. ain't no. you know, so just like having that type. of mindset, uh a lot of guys don't have. it, you know, and um. it's clear that his work ethic has. allowed him to play to 43. And I would. say that's like as A B, you know what.

I'm saying? I mean, one one B. um as far as the work that you put in. cuz anything you do, I've always been a. firm believer in this is you get out. what you put in, you know, so you can. tell that not only is he a student of. the game, but he works his mechanics. um and he's still been doing it for a. long time, you know, so if it ain't. broke, don't fix it. Who's retiring first, you or Frank Gore? Frank Gore. You You going to wait him out? I got.

you. I got you. He already two years He. got two years. over me right now. So, I'm playing catch up. Look, let's stop beating around the bush. We. know what you want. You want that 18,355. held by Emmitt Smith. That's what you. want. Let's be real. Let's Let's be all. the way 100. That's what you want. That. is what I want. But, I can't I can't sit. here and say I want that more than that. championship. I definitely want a. championship. But, to sit here and say. that 18 is you know, passing Emmitt is.

not something that I'm I'm chasing too. I I would be lying to you. I definitely. want to do that. But, the The thing is. the question that I have for you is that. do you think you're going to get the. opportunities? Because that's a little. You're a little over 4,000 yd away. Are. you going to get the opportunities? Are. you going to get the carries that's. going to give you the number to get to. that? I think it's possible. I I really do. I. I really do. You know, getting to. a situation where, you know, I'm getting. 200 carries, 160 carries, you know,

making the best of of those. opportunities. is is all I can ask for, you know. So, I I feel like that opportunity can. present itself. But, you know if you getting that few of. carries you used to You used to 300. carries. So, you know you going to have. to average 4 and 1/2 5 yd on that 150 to. 200. I I already know. Hey, so my mindset into this off season. has been, you know what? I've been reflecting back on the last.

two or three years and I'm just like, you know what? Like what I said earlier, you get out what you put in. You know, I. I've grinded the last couple years, but. I haven't put the work in that I know. I'm capable of putting in. So, from that. standpoint, I know that when this season. come around when I present with the. opportunity, it's going to be something. totally different than what has been. what I've shown the past couple years. You mentioned you you haven't put the. work over the last couple of off seasons. that you you know you can. Was it.

because of injuries or were there other. things going on that prevented you from. doing that? Yeah, there was definitely. other things going on. that prevented me from doing that, you. know. And I just had to sit back and. reflect on those things and eliminate. those things, those distractions, and. you know, coming to this off season with. a totally different mindset. There were some situations if I'm not We. don't have to relive. We know what. transpired. You got suspended. You was. on the commissioner's exempt list 2014. So, that's 14 15 game 15.

games you missed. You got injury about. week three one year. So, that's another. 13 games. Do you believe had you been. able to fulfill that those seasons, you. would be a lot closer. You probably say. maybe 1,000 yd 500 yd behind where you. need to be right now if you were able to. play in those seasons? Without a doubt. I definitely That's.

what keeps you up at night, isn't it? Knowing that you missed that you missed. 30 basically 30 games. and it basically in your prime when you. were like you were all day and you were. getting the lion's share. You were. getting 250. You were getting 300. carries and you were averaging 4 and 1/2. yd a carry and you were you were 1,400. 1,500 1,600 yd and you extrapolate that. over two years, you're a lot closer now. you would have been a lot closer now. than what you are currently. Without a doubt. Yeah, that's something. that I've like you say I've I've.

laid in the bed some nights and been. like, man, you know, just what if I. would have been able to play those you. know, those 30 games. Yeah, I'd. definitely be sitting in a different. position right now and really, you know, at 30. turning 36 years soon approaching Emmitt. Smith. I said something on air in 2018 and you. took offense with it and I want to We. going to get your thought process and. I'm I'm going to give you why I said. what I said. I said that AP can have a. game. And as we start to get older AP.

and I was one of those guys. I wasn't as. great a player as you. But, as I got. older I could have spot games. I could. go get 100, couple touchdowns. maybe once once every month. But, to be able to do that consistently. is that That's where I felt and I felt I. didn't I didn't I don't I didn't believe. that you were going to get the. opportunities that you have been. afforded in Minnesota the lion's share. of your career. AD, all the carries you. want, as much as you can take, you take. them. Knowing that you were going to New. Orleans and you're going to have to.

split carries with Alvin Kamara. Knowing. that you were going to other places and. now all of a sudden, I didn't feel that. you were going to get the opportunities. to showcase what you could really do. You felt that I was taking a dig at you, I think. Why Why did you think I was. taking a dig? Okay, so I didn't I didn't. see it from that perspective, you know. So, I didn't So, when it came across to. me, it was more so like. like everyone else. That's where it kind. of fell into that category of, oh, he's. too old. He's not going to be able to be.

productive and and to produce because. we've we've seen, you know, other elite. players of this caliber that once they. got to that age, they weren't able to be. successful and and have success. But, I. was try I I tried to explain it. I said, yeah, as we get older, he I don't. believe I and I didn't I didn't believe. you could still be as dominant. But, one. of the reasons why you weren't going to. get the opportunity to do that. You're. going to be contracted in 100 carries. Well, 100 carries even if you only. averaging 4 yd, that's 400 yd. Well, 400.

yd you extrapolate that over a couple. over 3 4 years, that's 1,200 yd which is. closer to your ultimate goal. No, so I like hearing hearing you saying. it now. I don't know what clip I read. I. said, so I understand your perspective, you. know, when you explain it like that. But, then. I also took it personal too because like. I've always been a fan of yours, you. know. Right. I looked up and I still do. So, you thought I was taking a shot at. you. Yeah, I was like, man, this is my.

favorite tight end of all time. I understand that me being the person. and me being the player that I am that. when I speak it carries a little more. weight than somebody that didn't play. the game or didn't play the game at a. high level. So, I'm very cautious. I'm. very mindful of what I say and how I say. it because I understand I've been I've. been on the other side. I've been. sitting where Adrian Peterson is. sitting. And so, to hear former players. say things, especially ones that's won, that's played at a very high level, they. carry a little bit more weight. And so,

that's why I was trying to be mindful to. try to explain. You have to understand, yeah, he's in year 12, but is he going. to get the same opportunities? Now, Alvin Kamara is down there coming off an. outstanding rookie season. He's going to have to share carries with. Adrian Peterson. He goes I mean, excuse. me, with Alvin. He goes somewhere else, he's going to have to share carries. He's not the He's not the bell cow back. anymore. And so, I I think when they. brought in you, they basically said. Well, Shannon Sharpe said you washed up. See, that's how they told you. But, they didn't explain the rest of the.

part of what I was saying. Exactly. And. that's how that's how it normally goes. too. You you explain it just like you explain. it, but then the headline will be. something totally different, you know. You grew up in a small town, Palestine, Texas. What was it like growing up in. that small town? And did you always know. you wanted to be an NFL player? I did, you know. Um. very small town. Um. you know, I remember playing I'll never. forget the first time I start playing. football, organized football. I was at.

my grandmother's house. It was like 7:00. It's my grandpa was up. drinking coffee and reading the. newspaper. My granny was outside. watering the flowers and my dad pulled. up. And she came in. She said, your dad your. dad said put some clothes on, put some. shoes on. He's going to take you. somewhere. So, I put my shoes on. And. we're driving and then like we're It. looked like we're exiting we're leaving. Palestine. Right. And we're going. towards the complex. I I remember it. being out there and then he makes that. right turn. He was like, yeah, I'm. taking you up here. I'm going to sign.

you up for football, you know. So, that's when I first start playing. organized football. And from that point. at Well, I can't say from that point. because before then it was street ball. It was just being out with the friends. and stuff like that. Always know I had. some talent, but once I got into the. organized football, that's when I was. really able to open my eyes and realize. that, hey, you know, I can really do something if I. continue to work and continue to grind. you know, with with this sport. But, Palestine, it was. um.

it was it was a small town. Everyone. knows everyone there. You know, I have. on my dad's side I have four uncles and. four aunts. And then on my mom's side is. five five uncles and and four aunts as. well. So, you guys imagine all my my. family members. So, just growing up in that type of. environment, you know, always having, you know, someone around you, someone. disciplining you, putting you you know, leading you in the right direction, giving you advice and stuff like that. I.

think that is what helped shape me and. mold me into, you know, the man that I. that I am today. So, yeah. But, then when it come back to. the football aspect of it, you know, at. a at a young age playing little league. football, that's when I realized and. understood that, hey, I looked past. college and everything else. I was like, I'm going to play in the NFL. You come from good pedigree. Your mom. was a three-times state track champion. track champ. She got a scholarship. University of Houston. Your dad was a.

shooting guard at Idaho State who had. his career cut short by being. accidentally shot in the leg by his. brother. So, your mom ran track, your dad played. basketball, you love football. What was. the of the sports that you played. growing up? Probably basketball, track. and field, football. Which was your. favorite growing up? Football and track was was right there. neck to neck. Right. Basketball, I'm I'm. not going to lie. Like, I was I was a. defense a player, you know? Like.

So, you had you could you coming in and. get them five five and get up out of. there, huh? Hey, I'm I'm going to give. you some good defense, couple blocks, you know? I'm going to give you I'm. going to get you 10 points just off of. hustle. Okay. You know, some rebounds, put back up or. whatnot. Right. Um but yeah, my basketball game was. terrible. If I got a steal, I'm. dribbling straight right hand. But that's my love. There was also some tragedy that. happened in your life early on. Your.

older brother, um got hit by a drunk driver when you. were seven. And night before the. combine, your half brother was shot and. killed. Talk to me about the impact that those. events, tragic events had on your life. You know, I will start with my my my. older brother. who uh passed when I was seven. You know, that situation was really. really tough, you know? And um. it it's not something that I've never. sit down and talk. Like, you know, my. wife tell me all the time, I think you.

need to talk, you know, to a counselor. or something just to. kind of let that let it go, let it out. Right. But I feel like it helped. It it it matured me at an early age. because at that time it was just me and. my mom and my brother and we were living. in Dallas. And um when it happened, we ended up. moving back to Palestine. Okay. And um. I didn't, you know, I I missed a lot of. school during that time because I was. there, you know,

it was it was really tough for us, you. know? We were living in my grandmother's. house and my mom, no lie, she cried for. a year. For it seemed like for a year. straight. Every night I would be in the. other room and hear her cry. And you. know, I would go in there and just. Hey Mom, it's going to be okay, you. know? So, I feel like it made me it it. made me become mature at a younger age. you to become an adult probably before. you should have. Before I should have, you know? So, I'm I'm finding myself.

taking care and taking care of my mom. and being strong for her. And I never. forget, I remember telling myself cuz my. brother he was way more talented than. than I was, you know? And I remember. telling myself at that age that, you. know what? I'm going to use this as motivation, something to continue to drive me. because I know my brother, you know, I. know this is what he would have wanted. for me. You know, I know. he, you know, we used to talk about, you. know, he was like extremely fast. I was.

10-3, you know? I was 20.8. I couldn't. touch him. So, you know, I remember the. things we used to talk talk about at a. young age. We used to race and stuff. like that. So, the things that I'm going. to do, I'm going to do it for him. Right. Um. So, fast forward to. the combine, it was um I never forget, man. It's. it was crazy. I I woke up. It was like 2:00 in the morning. And I just woke up and I was sweating.

And it was just like one of those that. feeling like. some something ain't right. You know? So, I look at my phone and I. see. a couple um area codes from Palestine. that had called. No message. Yeah, missed calls, no messages. And I didn't really think too much about. it. Put the phone down. Had a big day. the next day. And closed my eyes and go to sleep. I. wake up. Now I see the text mess the. text messages and and the calls and.

that's when I found out my brother. was shot in Third Ward. Shot in the back, got robbed. And it was just. you know, my heart just sunk. You know, it was a a tough situation for. me because I had to go out and compete. that day, but I had remember talking to. him a couple days prior and he was just. so wired he was like my number one fan. He was so wired up about me being down. at the combine and oh, I know you're. going to do this, brother. I know you're. going to do that. Show them, you know,

who the best running back in the draft. is, this that and the other. So, it um. I had to just kind of suck it up, you. know? You know, and try to focus on what. I was trying to accomplish that day and. and then, you know, I think I came out. and and and did a decent job with that, but that was probably one of the. toughest situations I had to deal with. Because you're the combine is a job. interview. This is the big If you play. If you play football, this is the. biggest job interview you're ever going. to have because you got. hundreds of eyes. Not just physical.

eyes, but electronic eyes. Monitoring. your every move. And you're dealing with. this. And I'm not so sure that any of. that anybody know that this had. transpired, that this was going on in. your mind. Cuz I know you I don't think. you probably didn't tell anybody. No, I. didn't say anything to anyone, you know? I just kind of. just kept it. want that you didn't because you felt if. you had told them they might If you. don't run a good time, you they're going. to use that against you say, he used. that as an excuse. Exactly. I don't need none of that, you know?

He was happy that I that I was here. I know that he would want me to go out. and continue to, you know, chase my dream. So, I woke up that. morning and after finding out, I was. like, that's what I'm going to do. I'm. going to lock in. And um you know, I'll be able to deal. with this a little later once I'm done. How do How do you get the nickname All. Day? You got a little taste of it earlier. when when my little man came in here. I. told him like three times, do not come. in here.

Just full of energy, you know? I was. just electric as a youngster, you know? Um. They would give me melatonin and all. that and I would I would bite through. all that, scratch through all that. And I'm experiencing it now with my with. my little man, but that's how I got it. Got the name. I was just just full of. energy, always going. Like the Energizer. Bunny. Always going. Boy, get outside and play. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And And you would think they would work, but it like I'll be saying it to him. They go outside, they'll play. My my.

oldest. that's in the house, he's uh he's nine. And they'll get out here and they'll run. for hours. Axel, the youngest one, he'll come in. here, take a shower. And he'll it'll be. 10:00, 11:00. Bedtime is 8:00. You hear him coming down the stairs. Like, what are you doing, man? What are. you doing? Two melatonin down and he's. he just just fighting through it. I'm looking at you what you were able to. accomplish. You only played two years if. I'm not mistaken, you only played two. years of high school football, right?

Your junior and senior year. Mhm. Was it. because you weren't good enough to make. the team or what transpired that you. only got to play two years because I'm. looking at your numbers. Your junior. year, 2,051 yards, 22 touchdowns. Your. senior year, a little less than 3,000, over 11 yards a carry, 32 touchdowns. The final game, 350, six touchdowns. And. you're signing autographs for the. opposing player. Yeah. You know, my my dad got uh. incarcerated going into my seventh grade. year. And this was I don't know how we had two. I don't know why they have two schools.

in Palestine, but I I was going to. Palestine High School and the cross town. school was Westwood High School. That's. actually the school my mom went to. Right. So, I transferred. um after my seventh grade year and went. to Westwood. Right. So, my freshman. year, I I actually was on varsity there. It was a 3A school, a smaller school. And I tore my LCL Okay. first game. So, I was out that that that that year and. came back, ran track, made state. And. then I end up going back to Palestine.

uh like. the football season had already started. my sophomore year. Right. And um so, I I. I played a little bit played a little. bit of JV. Um the coach there, he was from West. Orange-Stark. I never forget. And it was. clear that I was. the most talented player, you know, even. like we would go up against the the. seniors, I mean, the varsity defense. Right. And we would run through those. guys, but he never he he didn't he.

didn't he didn't move me up. So, my junior year, his defensive coordinator, um which his. name was Jeff Herold, he ended up um becoming a head coach. And I had kind of told myself that, you. know what? I'm just going to focus on. track. I'm not going to really, you. know, I'm not going to really get into. football. So, I didn't even start. training camp my junior year until my. dad called me. I never forget, my stepdad woke me up. It was like 8:00. He was like, hey, your.

dad's on the phone. Hey, I'm like, what's up, Dad? What's. going on? He's like, boy, what are you. doing? I'm I'm I'm at the house relaxing. He was like I was sleeping. And he was. like, shouldn't you be in two-a-days? I'm like, Dad, I don't I don't think I'm. trying to play this year. I think I'm. going to focus on track. And you know, I. think I want to go in that direction. He was like, boy, I'm going to call those coaches. tomorrow. And if they tell me you need. to come up there today, when you come. see me, we're going to we're going to. have an issue. We're going to we're.

going to really we're going to really. have a problem. I was like, all right, man. So, I ended up getting. up and going, you know, going up there. and. they told me, hey, you can come back. tomorrow. And then from that part from. that moment, things just kind of kind of. kind of took off for me. Ironically, the. first game of that junior year, we played Huntsville. And the same coach, I think his name was. Sam Tommins that came from that left. Palestine, that came from West. Orange-Stark, he was the head coach at.

Huntsville. Uh-oh. We went down there. I. had 305 yards, like five touchdowns. Killed their defense, you know what I'm. saying? So, like it was a little, you. know, little revenge on my part as well, but that's kind of like what put me on. the map and it's just kind of took off. from that moment. So, I'm looking at. your your high school time. You said you. ran 10.3 in the 100 m, you ran 20.8 in. the 200 m, you were 47.6 400 m. So, of. those, what do you think your best event.

is was, and do you believe at your apex. you could outrun Tyreek? Tyreek? Yeah. I give him a run for his money now. If I really would have, you know, focused on track like I wanted to, cuz I. wanted to run in Oklahoma, too. Um, but I I feel like I definitely could. have could have. You got too big. You weigh too much. I I was like I was like 205 in high. school, though. Run running THAT KIND OF TIME? YEAH.

YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. WOW. YEAH. And my my. favorite run was the the 200. And I. never really wanted to run the 400, but. like now that I'm older and when I once. I got older, I'm like the 400 would have. been my race because of just my mindset. and, you know, just having. That's my favorite race. Yeah. Of all. the races, I like the 400 m and the 4 by. 4. That's my race. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That 400. Every There are a lot of people that. believe.

of all the guys that played in the NFL. before you and after you, they believe. there were only two people that could. have come straight from high school and. gone to the NFL, yourself and Randy. Moss. Do you believe that you could have. played in the NFL after your senior year. in high school? I do. I do. I do. I never I never forget going. to um a Cowboys game. Excuse me, my senior year one of the. photographers. invited me down and end up going to the.

Cowboys game and going to the locker. room and all that after the game. And. I'm just I'm looking at those guys, the. running back, I'm just like, he's not really, you know, I'm I'm I'm I. look a little bigger than him. And I'm. like, I know I'm faster than him cuz you know, I just got through running the 10.26 at. state. Right. I'm just like, okay. And then, you know, once I got to. college, that was kind of like. confirmation for me after that freshman. year. Right. You know, what I was able. to accomplish and you still got like. Cedric Benson who end up going like top.

five that year. I'm sorry. That could have been me, you. know. One year out one year out of out. of high school, but I definitely feel. like I could have came straight out of. high school and played. You had offers all over the country. USC, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arkansas, Miami, and Florida. What made you choose to leave your home. state. and go to Oklahoma? And how many people. were upset that you chose. to go to the across the river as opposed.

to stay in state? Yeah, it was a lot of. people that was hot. I'm talking about articles in the. newspaper. I was like, God, can they can. they print this? They can't print this, can they? Talking. about a high school student, but. the work ethic that I seen when I went. on my visit to Oklahoma, um that was something that pushed me to. to go there because I really had. appreciation for how they developed. their players. Right. And like for me, I. grew up a Longhorn. I remember.

being in eighth grade cuz my uncle. played, his name was Chris Smith, he. played tight end for Texas when Ricky. Williams was there, Priest Holmes, Applewhite. I remember being there after. a spring game looking at the stadium. where it was empty, like, I'll be back. I'll be back here one day. Right. But. experiencing that Red River Shootout, I. see a lot of guys that are from Texas. that end up going to the University of. Oklahoma. And I'm just like, okay. Like, what's what what's the difference?

Like, what separates the two? The work ethic. I felt like the. University of Texas had more talent, but. I didn't feel like that they developed. their players, and that's why Oklahoma. was tapping their butt every every year. You know, so that was really the main. reason. And then, also, I went down and. when I was talking to Mack Brown, I I I. came to him and this is the approach I. have every coach that I sit down with. I. was like, hey, the only thing I ask. is will you guys present me with an.

opportunity to compete compete for the. starting job. You know, I got Pete Carroll, I got, you. know, Nick Saban, I got, you know, Bob Stoops telling me, yeah, if you you. come in, you earn the position, it's. yours. We don't care if you're a rookie. or not. Texas, they were like, well, Cedric Benson decided to come back for. his senior year, you know, so we're. going to show you we're going to show. some loyalty to him because he was. projected to be a top five pick, and. we're going to let him finish it off.

And, you know, after that, of course, we'll let you compete for it. So, in other words, they said, no, we're. not going to let you compete for the. starting job, you wait your turn, and. you said, okay, deuces, I'm going to OU. Yeah. I didn't tell them that, either. I was. like, but in my mind I had already I. already I already exited. Yeah. So, from that point, it came down. to Oklahoma and USC. Like, it was really a really a tough. decision for me. Um because I went out. to visit Eric Bieniemy.

He left Colorado cuz he was recruiting. me at Colorado. Then he went to UCLA. So, I was like, all right, Holly, EB, man. So, once I got up there, I was. like, man, LA nice. But if I come here, I need to go to the best school, you. know. Right. So, that's how USC came into. picture. And uh even with Reggie Bush, Lendale. White, Hershel Dennis, the guys they had. there, people was like, people was down. at my basketball gym in Palestine. shooting, like, yeah, you come down, you. can compete, you earn a spot, we we. going to play you, you know. So,

it came down to um just being close to. the family. Oklahoma. um was like a 4-hour drive from my. hometown. Right. And the development of. the players and stuff, too, played a big. role. Why do you believe you were able to have. such an immediate impact? You set an. NCAA freshman record, you ran over 1,900. yd in 2004, you set 11. 100-yd games by a freshman, and you were. a unanimous All-American. Do you believe. two-part question, do you believe that. you should have won the Heisman that.

year? And looking back at it, do you you. sought out some games that you said, you. know what, I should have got that two. grand. I should have got two bands. And. cuz that's going to be something that. 2,000 yd as a freshman, somebody might. come get 2,000 after that, but I would. have been the first to do it. Yeah. Yeah. Definitely that crossed my mind before. I'm like, man, I was so close. I could have easily got, you know, 2,000. things would have just played out a. little different um for me. But I was so. young then, you know, I was just having.

fun and trying to win championships, you. know. So, that was like the most. important thing for me, but. for the Heisman when it comes when it. comes to the Heisman Trophy, I. definitely feel like I should have been. the first freshman to ever win. You know, I feel like they robbed me. Um. you know, I had the most votes by a. freshman. um at that point ever. Uh finished in. second place, and um it was just for me, it it it kind of helped me out. That. situation helped me out a lot, too, when.

it came to, you know, how people perceive you or how. people view you and your talent because. it told me a lot. It was like, okay, I I'm up for the Heisman Trophy, me, Jason White, Lendale, and me uh Reggie. Bush, and um. Matt Leinart. Matt Leinart, and Alex. Smith. So, I'm like, I'm up, I finished second, and then I don't win the Doak Walker. Award. So, I'm just scratching my head. I'm. like,

how do Cedric Benson win it, you know? So, I'm like, I feel like I got robbed. for the Heisman, and then not only that, for Doak Walker. I got robbed for Doak. Walker, too. I was like, man, I don't I. don't care about these awards, man. You. know what? I'm just going to focus on. getting to the NFL, and then I'll, you. know, I'll I'll go from there. But. definitely got robbed. You played that team in the national. championship game. And people were. expecting the game to be close, and it.

was really never close. What transpired? Why why were you why were you guys so. outplayed, so thoroughly defeated in. that game? Um I think USC came in with a different. mindset than us. You know, um. me being. there and present during the week, it was a lot of guys that they they. weren't locked in. You know, we were. down in Miami, guys were, you know, breaking curfew, not a lot of guys, but, you know, just things like that that you. you shouldn't have you in that type of. environment Mhm. playing for a national.

championship, you know. So, guys were. breaking curfew, you know, I seen guys. meet with agents and things like that. And um you know, we started off good, we. scored we scored first, and uh end up getting the ball back, and. stopping them, and it was I think it was. a punt. That's what it was. They punted. the balls to us, and our punter dropped the ball. Well, he it bounced, and it bounced like towards the 10-15 yd. line, and he tried to pick it up,

and they hit him and and got the ball. and end up scoring maybe like a play. later. And then we came back the next drive, and I don't know what Jason White was. thinking. He just threw the ball up in. the air, and he uh. I don't know what he was thinking. And. they end up picking it, and it was just. like the momentum just changed. Right. And it just went downhill. That was the. first time I had ever been a part of. feeling like guys gave up. Like, I actually felt like guys gave up. during that game. Your final game,

a lot of people remember the Fiesta. Bowl, the Statue of Liberty with Boise. State. Did you know going into that. game? When did you know that. I'm out of here, I'm declaring for the. draft? Did you know going into the game. or it was after the game after you lost. that you said, "Okay, I'm out.". I knew before the game. I I knew before the game cuz I had had. broke my collarbone earlier that year. Right. And. I had missed the the rest of the season. and I came back and played in that game. That was my first game back in like.

weeks. And so during that time I had a lot of. time to just reflect on the past couple. of years and how things have had went. and I was just like, you know, that collarbone could have easily been a. ACL, could have easily been something. else that you know, now they're like, "Okay, he for sure has to come back and. has to prove himself." So it could have. went a a lot of different ways. Right. And then I remember talking to my. running back coach. Kelvin Gundy. and I was like, "Coach, what what's your thought? What do you.

think? You think I should You think I. should come back for my senior year or. go ahead and go?" He was like, "You got to go.". You know, he said, "As much as I would. love for you. to come back and play, you know, I wouldn't be, you know, being. 100 with you and being real with you if. I told you to come back for your senior. year. You know, so. I was like, "Okay." You know, so that. was something that kind of helped me. make that decision as well and. and go ahead and and and enter to enter. into the NFL. So here here's a funny.

story a lot of people don't know about. Okay. So I came back for that for the. Fiesta Bowl. Right. The second series I. remember taking I remember taking a hit. I'm just like, "Gosh.". You know, that was my first time playing. since the collarbone, right? I didn't. really I didn't really think too much of. it. Played the rest of the game. Later. on that night my neck like literally. swelled up. Like all this was swole, right? Right. And it ended up, you know, subsiding and. it went down by the next day. So I. didn't I didn't think much about it at.

all. It wasn't painful or anything. So I. get down to Arizona. The API I was. training there. So I'm probably like a month and a half. into the training. Doing bench press and all that. And one. day I was like, "This I'm doing this. collarbone just feels weird." You know, it's just. not getting my full range of motion. So I just went to see a doctor to just. get it checked out. I had re-broke it. Wow. Yes, I had re-broke my collarbone.

So. when I was at at the combine and all. that, my collarbone was still broke. It. was still healing, going through that. process and that was like one of the red. flags that I had because they knew that. it was still cracked. Wow. at that time. Yeah. I'm looking. back at your draft and the draft is. known for who went number one because he. didn't pan out, JaMarcus Russell. But if. you look at who went number two, Calvin. Johnson is going to the Hall of Fame. Joe Thomas is going to go to the Hall of. Fame. You were the seventh pick in the. draft. You're going to the Hall of Fame.

Darrelle Revis is going to go to the. Hall of Fame. You got Marshawn Lynch was. in that draft. Patrick Willis was in. that draft. You guys had some players in. that draft. Yeah, we were deep. I mean people look at, you know, JaMarcus didn't pan pan out. Gaines. Adams didn't pan out. Levi Brown was. okay. LaRon Landry, nah, he didn't he didn't do too much. Greg Olsen had a great career. But you. guys you guys are going to have four or. five Hall of Famers in that draft class. Yeah. Yeah, that's something I think. about sometimes. Like, man, you know.

what? We can compete with a lot of. different draft classes as. We had some guys that put in some work. and were really like, you know, Calvin Johnson, I I can't say. he's the best of all time, you know, because you got He up there. He up there though, you know. So we had. guys like that. Even Patrick Willis. Patrick Willis going to retire early. We up here talking we up here comparing. him to Ray Lewis. Joe Thomas went to a. bunch of Pro Bowls, All Pro bunch of. times.

Let's talk about your rookie season. Your rookie year you set the NFL record. with the most yards in a single game, 296. Also you had two 200 yard rushing game. that season. Talk to us about your rookie year. What. what was your expectations going into. it? And in that game, did you know that. game was going to be special? Because. sometimes you get a feeling like, man, you get a get a big run, you get a nice. carry, you're like, "This might be a. good This might be a good This might be. the day here." So did you know that game.

was going to be the game? I didn't. I can't say I did. I didn't. But I went. into that season I was just like, you. know what? I had so much confidence in myself. because of the work I had put in and I. was just. Right. hungry that's the. I'm I'm here now finally, right? So I I. I had the confidence. But that game in. particular. I didn't. it felt different especially that first. half because. the offensive line they were doing a. great job. I found myself being.

too fast in some situations which ended. up, you know, hurting the play. Right. I. remember talking to the offensive line. and telling those guys like, "Hutch, man, listen. You guys just keep doing what you're. doing. Like it's going to hit, you know? Like I should have been a more patient. to let this play It was outside zone. play. Could have took it 50. Let it develop. Let it develop. I said, "But you guys. keep doing what you're doing. We're. going to get on track." And went into. halftime I think we had like 40 some. yards rushing as a offense.

And then came out the second half. and it was just like. I don't know. It felt like a out-of-body. experience, you know? It was like we. were just so I was so locked in and. everything was just working out. It. seemed like everything just kind of fell. in line and the big runs just started. ripping ripping. And before I before I. knew it here we here we are in the. fourth quarter. I got. 296. yards. You know? Do you wish you had went back in and got. one more carry and got 300? No doubt.

Cuz And that's what I tell people. I. say, "You don't understand." I mean at. the time you're like, "Nah." But then. you look back at it and then somebody. like somebody gets 297 or somebody gets. 298. 300, that's the benchmark. Because. you know somebody's going to get Maybe. somebody's going to get it. But to say. the Who's the first guy to ever rush for. 300 yards in an NFL game? Yeah. They didn't They didn't do. So. why do you think you were able to have. so much success your rookie season? I think just the guys that that was.

surrounding me and I felt like the. coaches really put me in a great. position. And then. just just me and my mindset, you know, I. wanted to go out there and and and prove. to the organization and my teammates. that, you know, I'm I'm putting my best. forward my best foot forward to help us. win a championship chase a championship. 2009 was the closest you came to winning. to getting to the Super Bowl and. possibly competing for that. You guys. signed Brett Favre. What was it like.

playing with Favre and did you think. that was going to be the season that was. going to get Adrian Peterson to a Super. Bowl and and possibly win the. championship? Yeah, I thought that was. going to be the season especially once. he stepped into that building and we got. out there for that first practice and um. seeing how he was able to operate our. offense, it was like, "Okay, that's. pretty much what we were missing." Cuz. our defense was stellar, you know, big. Pat Williams. You had. you know, the Hender Henderson, Chad. Greenway the line backer position.

Antoine Winfield Sr. Like we we we were. stacked. Uh. um. safety. Sharper. You know, like. we we we was good on defense. Offensively we had a lot of pieces too. And we we just needed a quarterback. Right. So Favre came in there and he's just. like being that leader and being. you know, the veteran that he was, he. was able just to transform our offense. into a machine where we were working and.

everything was clicking on all cylinders. and we were just able to do some. incredible things offensively. And with. that type of defense it was like, "Okay, there's no reason we shouldn't, you. know, make it to the NFC Championship. game and and and. win a Super Bowl, you know? So. But just having an opportunity to play. with Brett, man, it really taught me a. lot, you know? His locker was right next. to mine. So I was able just to see how. he carried himself, you know, how he. was. He was just. He was just like one of the other guys,

you know? He was cool, cracked jokes, you know, messed with guys and you know, he just had a great personality. And. that's kind of what I assumed from. watching the interviews and just. watching him interact stuff. And. it was just a blessing to be able to. play with him those two years and just. have that have that experience with him. You played the NFC Championship game in. New in New Orleans and it would later. become known as the Bounty Gate. Did you. think they were playing dirty? Did you.

suspect anything was going on or you. thought it was just hard-nosed. clean football? Did just they were just, "Hey, everybody wants to get get to the. ultimate goal, reach the Super Bowl and. this is what it's going to take. They're. in our way. Let's try to just play hard. tough football, snap the whistle and. leave it at that." Or did you like, "Hold on, man. These These hits coming a. little late. They coming a little low.". Yeah. I thought um. I thought it was just guys out there. playing ball. Right. I felt like there was like one or two.

dirty hits on on Brett that was. questionable, you know, as far as it was. late. But outside of that, shoot, we. were laying that wood, they were laying. the wood as well. Right. It just felt. like it was a tough hard-fought game. 2011. day before Christmas. playing Washington. carry just like you carried the ball a. thousand times in the NFL before. They hand the ball off to you. Did you know when you got hit that.

something was wrong? When or when did. you realize something was wrong? Immediately. Immediately. As soon as I got hit, I. knew I didn't know exactly what it was, but I knew that I was done. For sure. Cuz you had never had you ever. had knee issues before? No, not like. that. I had the LCL in high school but. before that. Right. So so you tore your ACL and your MCL. Um which is the day before Christmas. The season's going to start back up. You.

got OTAs going to probably start up in. in April. You got mini camps that's. going to start in May, June and you got. training camp that's going to start late. July. Why were you so determined I'll be back. in 8 months? Why were you so determined? Because that's normally guys come back, but they're not the same. You came back. better and now the gold standard of. anybody coming back from ACL is Adrian. Peterson. Um I think the one thing that really.

pushed me the most is. just like all the negative talk. Right. That that that really motivated me a lot. too cuz. a lot of people were saying, you know, he's not going to ever be the same, you. know, should he go ahead and retire, this, that, and another. Right. You know, this is nothing but a obstacle. that I that's in my way that I have to. overcome. You know, I have to get. through. I have to grind through it. You. know, so that was my that was my whole.

approach and. it started that day. Like when I got to that locker room, um my dad was at that game and I. remember coming to the locker coming. down there and I was talking to him and. I was like, you know, what? You know, it is what it is. You know, now is the moment that I have to accept. it for what it is. And what are you going to do about it? So did they tell you on the field or did. they get you to the sideline before they. broke the news and say AP you you AD you. tore your ACL? Yeah, they took me to the.

sideline, you know, when they when they. did the test on the uh on the field, I. knew I knew then. I was like, okay, cuz. it was it was it was too it was moving. too way too much. You know, AND I COULD SEE THE LOOK on. their face, too. So they got me to the. sideline and just confirmed they was. like, yeah, ACL, MCL. And I remember. telling my dad I said, you know, what? I. said, I'm going to come back and I'm. going to be better than I was before. that that same day. But I mean, to say that and everybody. say, oh, I'm going to be oh, I'm going.

to be this, I'm going to be that. But. they I don't know if you realize what. you did. You come back in 8 months. You. go 348 carries, 2,097 yards, which is. the second most in a season. You win. Offensive Player of the Year, MVP. You. needed 209 you needed 208 the final game. to get the record. You get what you 9. yards short. I know you played that scenario in your. head. That probably keeps you up at night as.

much as anything because not only do I. have the most rushing yards in a season, I'm the all-time. So which keeps you up. more? Not getting that record or. possibly not getting Emmitt's record? Cuz I know both are weighing on your. mind. Yeah, they they do. I do. They do. The one that weigh on my mind the most. is is not getting Eric Dickerson's. Yeah, I thought so. So because everything that I I had to go. through to get to that moment.

Right. and to be just 8 yards away from. it, you know, record that's stood for so. long. Yeah. Right I was right there after ACL. and wasn't wasn't able to wasn't able to. get it. And the thing is two Texas boys. ED's from Sealy, Texas. You're from. Palestine. And here it is. Yep. Did you. did you think you had an outside chance. because 208 yards in the final game. knowing that you need to win that game? So in Green Bay like, no, we're not.

going to let them win this game because. if you don't win, you don't make the. playoffs. So you had to win that game. Yep. Yep. Yep. I I remember coming into. that game and I was thinking, you know, what? Let me not worry about the record. Let me take this approach. If it. happens, it's meant it's meant to happen. If it. doesn't, then it it's not. Because I had. a couple weeks prior we played the. Texans, you know, came here and played. and I you know, I was focusing. I was. like, you know, what? I need to get by. 175 by 200 against these guys to get.

myself closer. Right. And thinking I was. pressing. I ended up like 40 something. yards if that. And after that game I. told myself, you know, what? I'm going. to go out there and continue to do what. I've been doing. I'm just going to play. and let the chips fall where they may. So I actually went into that last game. with that mindset, you know, we need to win this game to make the. playoffs and if the record is meant to. be broke, then then I'll break it. That's why I was so surprised when I did. the interview. She was like, so how do. you feel about being 8 yards short? I was like, 8 yards short, what?

And she said, you like, I was that. close? I was like, oh. So so so did you. so did you didn't know you were that. close? So they didn't keep cuz normally. in a situation like that AD, they keep. you abreast like, man, you need 50. Man, you need 75. Normally that's how they So. no one was telling you how close you. were actually to the because it's hard. for me to see that they would throw any. passes. They would have just kept. feeding you the ball. Yeah, no one no one said anything to me. And but I I that's that's kind of.

approach I have. Like, I don't want. nobody saying nothing. I'm just going to. go out there and play, you know. But had. I known. If you if you had known, would you have. been been willing to sneak back in the. game and try to get those eight? Oh, yeah, definitely. I was like, call a timeout. I'm going to ask them to. go straight to the goal. Call a timeout. for me, man. Let me get another run in. there. Looking at your career, 14,820 yards. Uh that's fifth most. 118 rushing.

touchdowns, that's fourth. You had an eight-game span in that in. that in that season in 2012, 1,322 yards. was the most over eight games. You have. the most 60-yard TD runs, 13. Tied for. the most 50-yard runs in a single. season, seven. Tied with the most. 200-game career with OJ, uh yourself and. OJ. Derrick Henry coming for that one, I. think. Uh and a three-time rushing. champ. Of all the things that you've. accomplished thus far, what record are you most proud of?

Mhm. Man, that's a good one. I would say. um. just climbing that all-time leading. rusher list. You know, uh cuz there's a lot of guys on that. list that I've passed that inspired me. to you know, to continue to play the. game at a at a high level, you know, so. to be in a position to pass guys like, you know, Terrell Davis, you know, LT, you know, OJ, Jim Brown. Jim Brown, you.

know, it's just like Jerome Bettis. It's. just like Yeah. man, you know, so that. right there means the most to me for. those for that reason. And you might be if there I don't know. if there's going to be very many guys. that's going to ever win a running back. to ever win that award again, the MVP. It's a quarterback award now, AP. It is. Yeah, I mean, the guys throwing for 40. and 50 touchdowns, they're getting 3,550. and 50 and 5,000 yards. Unless somebody.

goes in today's game, I mean, can a running back with the way. teams throw the football, can someone. actually go get 2,000? Maybe Derrick. Henry. Yeah. But that's what Yeah. Yeah. So. I like to do this a lot. Give me your. Mount Rushmore running backs. You only. get to put four on Mount Rushmore. Of. all the great running backs, I need to. know who's on AP's Mount Rushmore. Mhm. Okay. Got to go with.

got to go with Jim Brown. Okay. Got to go with Jim Brown. Um Sweetness. Walter Payton. Barry Sanders. Three. Ooh, that's a. tough. And that's three. Oh, that fourth one is tough, though. Somebody going to get left out? I don't. know Emmitt. I don't know if you're. going to make it. ED, I don't know if. you're going to make it. LT, I don't. know. Oh, man, there's a lot of Texas. boys on this thing. Ooh, LT from Texas.

Earl from Texas. ED from Texas. Yeah. I want to put Emmitt Smith up there. I got I have to. I I have to give him. the respect where he he's number one, you know, no matter how it was done. Like he's number one. What do you mean how it was done? Oh, you talking about that offensive line. that he had? They were good. They were really really. good. Oh, yeah. Just imagine Barry.

Sanders had an offensive line like that. No. I don't know you know, what? Sometimes I. think I think I don't know if we'd have. been able to see the Barry that we saw. because the Barry that we saw had to. have a terrible offensive line cuz he. needed to make 17 people miss in order. for you to see all that. So just imagine. Barry just running straight ahead, he's. not Barry. No, this is like that. Okay, I I can see that perspective. Who you give me your top running backs. today? Who Who does Adrian Peterson if. there if he's at home, he's watching.

Monday night, he's watching Thursday. night, or he's playing that playing them. in a game, he's standing up watching or. he's looking at the Jumbotron? Um. Derrick Henry is one of guys. I just. love how physical he he plays the game. Um. Saquon Barkley. Okay. He's a guy that I like. Feel like he has. some great potential. Mhm. Dalvin Cook. Uh he's a guy that I like as well. For.

his size, he's physical, great speed, great vision. Um. Yeah, I think that's about it that I'll. just, you know, be sitting there. I'll. stand up and be like, "Okay, let me see. let me see what he what he what he got.". Right. Who Who has the the best stiff arm, Derrick Henry or Adrian Peterson? I got to give it to him right now. I feel like I got to give him the stiff.

arm, but some of these stiff arms I've. seen just like, "Ooh.". They our cornerbacks so so so bad in our. game, and Josh Norman had him leaning. sideways. I think he got me right now. So, if if I can say, "Okay, I want you. to build the perfect running back." And. I'm going to say I'm going to Here. Here's some of the the traits that I. want, and I'm going to say the first guy. that comes to your mind, instincts. Mhm.

I got to say my I got to I'll say. myself. Burst. Dalvin Cook. Elusiveness. Mhm. Who's elusive? Do we Do we know? Man, you better Man, there ain't but one. guy going to get that one, Barry. I think you're talking about like. current like right now. No, no, no. I. want I want you to build I'm build I. want you to build a perfect running. back. And so, we going to take. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay, what about. Okay, vision.

Uh vision, I'll say uh sweetness. Size. Uh. Mhm. Size. They put all They put all this in a body. that like Jerome Bettis. Okay, what about power? Power, Earl Campbell. Speed. Ooh, Chris Johnson.

Durability. Oh, man. Uh Emmitt Smith. That joke can play 14 15 years and never. take no big hit. Ain't nobody get no. shot on him. Can't nobody say I blew. Emmitt up. You said You said uh in the past that. you're the you're the LeBron and Jordan. of the NFL. What What do you mean by that? Your dominance, I mean, your size, I.

mean, cuz we never I mean. like you said, you believe that you. could have gone straight from high. school. That's saying something because. the NFL, you know this, it. is a grown man's game. Yeah. I mean, you. this this them grown men. This ain't You. ain't playing for no books. You ain't. playing for no training table. Men got. wives. They got kids to feed. They got. college tuition to pay down the road, mortgages. So, they're not they let. See, if you lose your spot in college, you just go to the bench, you're still. on the team. You lose your spot in the. NFL, you're probably gone. Somebody.

taking your job. They're taking food off. your table. Yeah. So, when when I made. that when I made that statement, it comes from the standpoint of like. talent. Right. You know, the guy given. ability. Do you believe you're the most talented. running back ever? The most talented running back ever? When you combine everything, size, speed, durability, athleticism. I think I I think I think I'm right. there with with with Walter Payton.

Yeah. he's You believe he's one of the most. talented. Yeah. The most talented. Yeah, well, you can. say If he didn't have the perfect I. mean, he wasn't a big I mean, what was. Sweetness? What, 5'10"? Maybe 205? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I would say. like, "Okay, well, Bo Jackson is. definitely, you know.". He was He was on a different level. Yeah, Bo. When you look back at it, do you wish you had had.

Do you wish you had handled things. differently in Minnesota? Do you You cuz. I mean, now that you look back at it, you probably should have stayed, maybe. not asked for a trade. Do you think back. like, "Man, you know what? I should have. stayed my butt in Minnesota.". Um I think about that sometimes. And the. the thing is I I I never like demanded a. trade or asked asked for a trade. You. know, I I remember when that season. ended, when I had my exit meet my exit. meeting with those guys, and they was. like, "You know, so.

after the towards the end of the. conversation, they were like, "So, are. you willing like is it something that. you want to come back?" And I was like, "Yeah, I wouldn't mind finishing my. career here.". You know, and that's kind of that's kind. of how I left it, and. Right. you know, next thing I heard from. them, I was in San Antonio on vacation, and you know, they had signed. uh Le'Veon the Murray kid. Right. You. know, that's when I knew it was okay, you know, but I was okay with that, you. know, at that point. Um you know, there. was a couple things that had transpired, and that we're over we're over that now,

you know, but it was some things that. kind of rubbed me the wrong way, and so. I was at the point where I was just. like, "You know what? If this is the end. of the road, then, you know, I'm I'm. fine with that.". When it's all said and done, would you. like to. sign a contract and retire Viking? Oh, yeah. Yeah, without a doubt. Without a. doubt. So, looking back at your career, is. there anything you would do differently? Or what were some If there If they are. some of the things you'd like to do. differently, what would they be?

You talking about the as far as football. aspect? Yes, just your football. Uh. You know, I I can look back on a couple. offseasons where, you know, I didn't. really put in the work like I should. have, and and I was able to see like a. lot of people probably don't realize, but I was able to see how it it affected. me during the season, you know, um so, I. would definitely change that, taking. advantage of that, you know, being 14. years 14 years in now. I made a little. back cuz I'm getting towards the end of.

that road, and you're just like, Right. wish I could have did some things. different. Um. Uh outside of that, you know, I've. always tried to take care of my body and. put the right things in my body. Um. You know, um I I I feel like at a at a. younger once I. my first four or five years in the NFL, um I think I took a lot of things for. granted. Um. as far as like really getting into the. playbook and you know, executing, you.

know, cuz I think that would have. presented um different opportunities for. me within within the offense. Um So, you believe you were too good for. your own You were You were too good for. your own good because things came so. easy Mhm. that you like, "Man, this is. easy." Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I put in. the work, but when it came to. like being in different positions, like. being in there on third down, and. Right. being spread out, you know, those type. of things, you know, I was just like, you know, I'm I'm running the ball 300.

times, so, you know, So, so, that mindset. Who cares if I catch 25 passes or not? Exactly. Mhm. So, the next stop is going to be after. your career is going to be. Canton. What would that mean? That would be that. you know, that obviously that's the. culmination. What would that mean to you. to to to go and have a bust in the halls. of where the guys that you modeled your. game, your heroes, and to know that. you're sitting right next to them.

You know, I I think that's that's the. peak. You know, it. it doesn't get you know, better than. that, you know, um. in my mind, that and the Super Bowl is. like right there, you know, uh same level to in my mind personally. Um but that's something that I also. thought about when I was a young. youngster, is, you know, being in the Hall of Fame. or being considered the best ever play. the game. So, in my mind, it's like, "Okay, well, if that's the bar that I'm.

setting, then X, Y, and Z should. follow." Right. Hall of Fame is, you. know, follows falls within that. Man, well, good luck. Um. you don't know what the future holds, but I hope it's bright for you as far as. your NFL career. I know you want to. continue to play and get closer to that. record and eventually pass Emmitt, so I. wish you the best of luck along the way, and thanks for joining me today on Club. Shay Shay, bro. All right. Thanks for. having me, Shannon. Appreciate it. All. right, bro. Have a good one.

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