I've been doubted my whole life, especially coming out of college with the injuries I had.
I want to make sure I'm not the last NFL player to come out of the Grove.
When something you love gets taken away, it hurts you.
When I see a guy on the football field huffing and puffing, I know I got an advantage over him.
You think about when I went to Miami. I played as a freshman, I go in and compete to be a starter, I tear my ACL. Come back, I start, I get off to a good couple of games and I get hurt again. You hear everybody saying, 'Oh, he's done.' I get drafted in the third round. People still said I got drafted too high, saying I'll only play three years.
My first year playing Pop Warner football, my mom had to change my birth certificate because I was too young. I was 5, I think, and you were supposed to be 6.
I tried the Xenith helmet later in my career and immediately wished I had done it earlier. It was comfortable, secure, and allowed me to perform without distractions.
But I look at Anquan Boldin the same. If you watch us, we're similar players. We're not the fastest, we're not the biggest, but we get it done. I think we're just football players.
My first time playing running back in a real game, I had eight touchdowns.
People said I would be in the league for two to three years and then I would be done. I have been blessed to keep going, and also have success.
I've always strived to prove people wrong.
Some guys go to different teams and as they get older, they just want to ride the coattail of the younger guys. I don't want to do that.
I love when people tell me what I can't do.
As long as I stay consistent as my career goes, I'm good with it.
Defensive guys don't really understand. It's totally different for offense. Defensive guys are convinced they know us but they just don't understand. Quarterbacks have so much that they have to read and adjust to. They have to look at everybody on the defense. It's totally different for the offense.
When you come from Miami, you're used to winning.
You can be talented, but having great talent isn't enough. You have to work every day or someone will pass you up.
When you think about retiring, you're done. You already checked out.
I want to make an impact.
I don't care what age I am. If I continue to train and feel good and enjoy the locker room and this organization wants me and I feel I can do it, I'm going to do it, no matter what my age.
