September 30, 2022 • 26 mins
Marlon Humphrey talks to veteran linebacker Josh Bynes about what it takes to win the Lombardi Trophy, what it was like playing in the old Ravens defenses, his longevity and more.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
What do you think are some similarities you see that
Super Bowl team to where this current team you're on now.
The similarities are the fact that we're going through the
stuff early. How are you gonna respond? And at the
same time, when you respond, are you gonna be the
resilient team or you're gonna be that team that gives
us Right now, we're going through some stuff right now,
and it's just gonna teue the layoff foundation and build
that character, build that that armor is gonna be at
(00:23):
the right time, and all of a sudden, it's like boom, boom, boom,
and everything's just going to click and click and you're
just gonna be flying and before you know it, you
know we're gonna be holding a Lobarti at the in
the season. I'm hYP I love it. Marland Humphrey is
without a doubt in the conversation to be the best
pointer in the football. How are we doing, guys? We're
(00:49):
here with Josh Bonds Super Bowl Chap twelve year veteran
Josh is great to have you here, man, how are
we doing? I appreciate you having me. You don't want
to start off strong here. You know we both went
to college. M hm, you went to this place in
the plains. I went this other place in Touchcoose, Alabama. Unfortunately,
(01:10):
obviously there's a big divide between those two tips, and
I just want to ask, since I have you here,
why did you choose the worser side? I chose the
best side. I chose the best side. You know, I
got my ring to prove that one, you know what
I mean. You know what I'm saying. You know, I
got that one to prove. So that chose all because
(01:33):
that was that was a place where I went and
that was home for me. That was it was family
atmosphere on like the other school I've heard, but you know,
it's just a great place, you know for family, friends
and everybody. And I've just met my wife there and
it's just, you know, that was one of the best
sis ever made my life. I can't say. I can't
say I took a visit there and you loved it.
(01:54):
I didn't, But I will say I did feel the
family thing. I was all this is this is I did.
I did feel it. I actually was supposed to go
on another visit and it was the kick six, so
m I didn't rough. But since we're on the topic,
I want to talk about that national championship. You want.
(02:17):
When I think of the best collegiate players of all time,
I put Cam Newton in my top ten. And so
I remember, actually I was at one of the get
my brothers playing Arkansas at the time, So I guess
you guys are probably I guess you guys are both
playing college at the same time. And I remember I
was thinking we were gonna upset you guys, and then
(02:38):
Cam Newton just did some damnite You were out there
somewhere obviously, Yeah, but talk to me about that team.
What do you think make that team? You know so special?
That team was special because like everybody was united, Like
you know, Cam had a bunch of things going on
that year, of course, and all these other things going on,
you know, Bama had they Scam Newton signs up and
(03:00):
all that crazy nonsense, and uh, but we just united
back to him up a hundred per cent, and um,
we went through a lot of adversity. That that year
was just rough. We got through some games where it
was three point games, the last second games, a couple
of turnovers at the last few minutes, and even though
you know the iron ball that year, you know what
was the twenties something whatever, that's what it was. And
(03:22):
then Cam just did his thing and boom boo boom.
We end up winning in Tuscaloosa, by the way, and
obviously we know what happened the rest of the way
that year. That was. That was but that team was
just but we were just we had to envision as
soon as like I would say, like Matt Joe workouts
in the spring. We all knew that we had the
talent and when Cam came, was like, no, we're winning
(03:42):
this championship. We don't care what it takes, but we
knew it was gonna win that championship that year. Do
you have any memories like stories that stick out from
that year? I know it seems like college there's a
lot that goes on, but there's anything that specifically sticks
out about that year that sticks out? Oh man, you know,
you gotta go on the archives, you know that was
(04:07):
some some things that stick out the most from that year.
Uh for me personally, you know, I had my two
picks against Arkansas that year, you know what I mean
to back Oh yeah, back to back drives at that
that was one of those games. It was like we
knocked out who was the quarterback, Ryan Mallett I believe,
and then the other quarterback w went up a getting
drafted to H Wilson I believe came member's name. But anyway,
(04:30):
he came in and started launching. It was like what
in the world, just dude was getting all we were
to these I was gonna be an easy way and
he was out of nowhere, just boom boom dimes and um,
just a fourth quarter came wrong. We had a Zach
Arther's got a farmer cover touchdown, I gotta pick and
(04:50):
then the next drive pick again and winding up winning
the game by whatever it was. But yeah, that was
that was definitely something memorable from that year for sure,
at least me personally. Yeah, I think I think about, um,
the one I won in Arizona. We want to get
to Shawn Watson and it was like it was it
(05:11):
was just we we really couldn't stop and we were
just trying to stop the bleeding. So my thing it
was like I just remember, uh, it wasn't even me,
it was it was Kenyan Drake took back that kickoff
return and that was like the d was just like
who you know, because we needed that one, So it
was it was it was crazy to look to look
(05:33):
back on that and just just one or two players
kind of just win those games. So you go on
to NFL, you go undrafted. How does it you left
after you won the national championship? You left that same year? Right,
how was it dealing with I mean, everybody you know
wants to get drafted. How it goes, it doesn't really
matter if you get drafted or not. You go from
(05:54):
that super hard winning that that championship to going undrafted.
Kind of tell me how that kind of transition kind
of goes. Oh man, it was tough. Like you said,
I was on super high and one in that championship,
and you know, I still had a good year, still
had team tackles all that. It wasn't the same uh
statistics as far as they say tackles and stuff, because
the offense was so much better. So we want on
(06:15):
the field as much as that was my junior A
hundreds and some tackles or whatever, and just so happens.
You know, obviously I went undrafted, and it was it
was a rough process just trying to figure everything out.
And I had my oldest son at the time, so
I'm like, uh, I don't have any money and we
had the lockout year going on, so I'm like yo,
So it was the struggle was so real. So me
(06:35):
and my wife is just trying to figure out, you know,
every little thing. She was working. I'm training, working out,
trying to you know, hopefully get through this lockout so
hopefully I get a team opportunity and m and obviously
Baltimore was a team that called me super Lockout And
it was like sometime during training camp time like August,
and uh, I was like, hey, I want to bring
you in out of and I was like, what better
(06:56):
place I would want to go to? You know, ray
Lewis and I was a great line back. It's been
a part of the organization. And of course as I
heard that, I just I'm flying right on now and
literally and that's just how it went. Man. I didn't
even think about the lockout and tell me how like,
so from the draft all the way to trying to
get it was no communication, nothing, it was nothing. So
that the draft started, it was like the first couple
(07:18):
of pigs or whatever it was, and then that was
it lockdown, shut down, So we couldn't do anything. No
communication until August I think it was uh that year,
and so soon as I gotta call, like I got
called that seven o'clock at night. That morning, I was
on the flight of Baltimore because it was everything happened
that fast. And then went for morning physicals and then
we had to run the condition in tests. You believe that, yo,
(07:41):
have not changed it all. Look, so let me tell
you this. You know it's funny, bro. So we uh beginning,
we're doing fils of stuff, right, so doing the process
a bunch of guys. There's so many guys and um.
And then somebody spread to the rumor and said, hey, yo,
I heard we had a conditioning test. And I was like, out,
we gotta just but we just got here, like we're
(08:03):
doing physical there's no way we're gonna run a goot
this in the test. Right of course if we DoLS
to do all that stuff like that and then bring
us here and all the same, it's like, no, you
gotta do a conditioning test. It was like what is that?
And of course you know what you know it save
test save every day. So I did the five and
that sixth one and right, you know, you know how
it is that time you got to get across the line.
(08:24):
At the time, I was like, ah, they said he
didn't make it, right, I was like, oh, my heart
was crushed. But and then of course, oh no, if
I probably say this, but so they let us know.
That was like, look, if you guys don't pass this
test by the next morning, right for a special meeting,
pretty much, let you go. And and I kid you not.
I passed test bunch of guys. And then of course
the guys who didn't pass that morning was especially means
(08:47):
those guys didn't they were not in there, and I
was like, maybe it's just but though they weren't there
at all, so it was only Hawever, me linebackers that
brought the year was only me and this other guy
that was only there for the linebackers to training camp
that year. I respect the rain that's consistent, you know,
I really do. I mean, yeah, I respect the instance.
It was real conditioning tests off the off the jump,
(09:10):
you got real fast. Yeah, that conditioned tests will make
you a man for sure. I remember there's been some
people that I always know the certain people that are
gonna fail. I'll talk to him in the off season.
But even are you practicing this test man, They're like, no,
I'm coming. I'm just like and then I come in
the indoor look at him, and then coming in land,
(09:31):
I'm like, you just gotta have you just have to
have your mind right and you can you can do it.
Oh yeah, for sure. So he said you are one
of the decisions that went into you sign up with Ravens.
Is you know, thinking that guys like Ray Lewis and company.
What's kind of like your first impressions of saying, you know,
such established players already when you when you first come
in as a rookie, I don't forget it. It was
(09:53):
my first like real practice. And when I tell you
you had Ray, you had double J. Johnson, you had
read I mean you had the old shebang and Hellodi sugs.
I mean it was started with the first call. Like
once they said the first call, I mean all you
heard was closed left, boom boom boom, so much communication.
One of the most happenings was boom boom, boom boom.
(10:14):
And it was like I was like, well, this is
like everybody's saying that. I was so used to being
the only person that did that in college. But then
of course I got a little nervous when I came here.
I'm like, this is Ray, this is all these guys
who are so you know, they are Hall of famers.
And then of course I go out there and it
was Dean Peace, it was it was chuckle Ghanda, but
deep's behindburg coach and I'm not here saying close left
(10:36):
kind of low. And then he looked at me. He
was like, I know you louder than that, you know?
Going on, I was like, you better demand this team
you alive? And I was like, yes, I think like
pretty much. You know, I know you're leader. How you
wasn't constantly that lead this team the same way? And
I went out there the next time. I was loud
and I have been. I've been that way ever since.
And that's why it kind of irks me. And like
(10:57):
if a guy says they don't hear anything, because I'm
usually the loudest guy on the field, because I take
that personally. So you think some of that because obviously
playing with you, you've been telling me where's the nickel?
All the time? You have it out like in no time,
you know, did would you contribute some of your leadership
of this defense? Kind of to that saying what you
kind of Oh yeah, for sure. They set the standard.
(11:18):
And then that standard is just what it takes to
be such a great defense and a great leader and
all that and then something and you see those great
players that you play with, and like, I love ever
read to death and that's my guy and I can
text him right now and he knows it as my brother.
And to show how to lead this team, how to
you know, what's the words I'm looking for, just to
(11:41):
just demand the team and just go about your business
the right way each and every game, each and every week,
and how to study the film, how to watch the game.
It's just it's just it's a crazy thing and be
a part of. And I was just blessed to be
one of those guys to be a part of and
still be playing right now. And for me, it's just
about giving it to all you guys, everybody, so you know, obviously,
and y'all continue to pass those things down because that's
(12:02):
what you know, obviously inevitably lead to us. You know,
obviously won the Super Bowl and my second year, yeah,
one of that super second year. I know, every Super
Bowl team has leaders to help them get along the way.
And so that that that Super Bowl year. UM, I've
heard a lot of different stories from different people. Uh,
it sounds crazy. It just sounds crazy the whole week
(12:23):
and the season. I know the season was ups and
downs and then it just kind of just went. But
speaking about the Super Bowl weeks specifically, I know a
lot goes down. I know you made the game winning tackle.
You know you never over never over over. But what
do you remember about you know, that team? What do
you remember about that game? Um? I mean there was
(12:43):
there's a ton to go off of that game, just
lights off everybody. What is what? What do you kind
of remember the most about that that season, that year
that you'll just never forget. Um the part I feel
like I would never forget, uh in a moment that
happened was uh Ray Rice when it was fourth in
(13:03):
a gazillion in San Diego, San Diego, not Los Angeles charged,
San Diego charges, and out of nowhere checked down and
it went for like a yard or inch or whatever,
right passed first down and we end up winning that
game and saying Ago nice blocked by bolt and I
believe it was. And after the game and just you
just everybody could tell like it was so like like
(13:26):
we do in that moment, like this team is capable
so much more than you know where we are right now.
We know we're cable of super Bowl team, and everybody
bought in, like we know we're cable going to the
playoffs and getting in and win the Super Bowl. We
know we have to go through these trials and tribulations
and all these kind of things. And we were so
resilient that year, and we knew even at the last
of what five games we lost four the last five.
(13:48):
Believe that year we start off nine and two, we're
you know, humming, and all of a sudden we get
injuries and like you know, like every year, things happened,
and we lost four the last five, but we finally
won that one against the Giants to get us in
the playoffs, and all guys about was like, look, we're
gonna get guys healthy, and when we get in, we're
gonna to run the table. And when I tell you,
we said that and we actually did that. It was
(14:08):
just the craziest thing. But like and god like, we
was like we believed in each other over and over
there even when we were losing those couple of games,
and in the end of the year, the skis were
still like, we still believe we're gonna get this done
and overcoming all this that version, we're still gonna come
out on top. And it's just amazing to see how
we're still en up winning that year. Speaking into existence,
it's crazy to hear that that's your like most memorable
(14:31):
memory because I asked Eric what about that same play
and he was the one that got block and he
thought he got like knocked out, didn't know what happened,
he said, My time he comes to continence, he's like,
forgot we won the game. He thought they won the game,
and he was all good. They were like, we lost.
(14:53):
So that's that's. Uh. Hearing that story from him is
the exact opposite. But um, that's that's just funny. So um,
super Bowl champ undrafted twelve years. What do you think
that's kept you around so long? I know, for for me,
it's like it's it's weird, Like I didn't really realize
(15:14):
it until probably like really like two years in. But
I remember we used to be in like rookie with
all the rookies in the first round, and they's always say,
the only person here that should be comfortable was probably
Marlin and Ill used to be like what do you
what do you mean? It took me a while I understand,
Like when you're those later draft picks, undrafted, you just
(15:36):
always have to be so displine, you always have to
be so ready. There's never a time you can really
you know, it's it's a it's a luxury to be
drafted early, but it's such a grind in so much
more pleasable to be in this later round. Just got
to be really on your p's and Ques, what do
you think it's been the biggest thing that's kept you
around so long. For me, it's just like on resilient,
(15:56):
let's all get out, Like I'm always been denied. And
when I came and they told me what I couldn't
do and what I can't do, what I'm not able
to do. You're not fast enough, you're not this enough.
And for me, just every year I'm proving that I
can do this, Like I'm just as fast enough, I'm
smart enough, I'm able to make plays, I'm still able
to do this on a on a consistent level. And
(16:17):
and also for me, it's just the guys. I love
this man, I love football. I love this, you know,
the week the week grind. I can't stay in training camp.
I can't. I can't stay in training again. I can't
stand that part of it. You know, if I get
that that's the process of the game. But as far
as if I could just boop forget that and just
go right to the you know, season grinding the weekend
and week out, studying for teams over and over. Man,
(16:39):
I love that part. Lived for that part, So then
that way I can, like I said, I love the
pass down every single thing like knowledge or things I
find with teams the week the week and give up
the guys like and then go out to execute on Sunday.
It's just it's just an exhilarating feeling. And then obviously
to get a win like we did this pass song,
it's just even even better. So it's just to see
the hard work that week of preparation, watching tape and
(17:02):
going through the mistakes and blah blah blah blah, and
then you see it pays off my Sunday. It's just
for me. It's just it's such a great feeling. I
love that and doing it for my guys each and
every time I'm out there I know you've been with
four other teams. Tell me, how is it from going
from kind of bouncing around from team the team. I
know you have a you know, wife, three kids? Do
you take them with you? Then in one place, I
(17:24):
think a lot of people failed to realize it from
just a fan perspective, like, oh, it just got traded,
this thing, like it's just such an easy just I
just go. It's I go, My family goes. Everything I
got learned talking about how was it from kind of
going from those different places. Oh, it was tough. Luckily,
I spent a good amount of time early in my
career those places. I did three here, three in Detroit. Uh,
(17:46):
then too in Arizona. But then then this part was Baltimore, Cincinnati,
and I'll Baltimo in Baltimore. So at least and those partly. Luckily,
I was there long enough where we had a good
foundation and stuff, and my kids were younger, so it
was It's still tough the transit because like when I
first went to Detroit, I was actually here on Pravtor
squad and then Detroit picked me up, and I kid
(18:07):
you not, this is the craziest conversation ever. I was
frustrated because I was I went from a starter there
before and then the Privtor squad the next year for
like two games, three games where I was here and
I was frustrated, one playing blah blah blah, and my
wife was like, Uh, it could be any better. It
could be somewhere in Detroit and not kid you not,
not even there was the next day. It was Sunday night.
(18:28):
We was talking. Monday morning, I get a call. I'm like, Detroit,
what is this? And I answered the phone and Detroites Old,
We're trying to pretty much bring you here on a
practic schold blah blah blah. And I told my wife
and she was like, are you serious. It was like
I was like yeah, he probably kind of said this
is just the night before and ironically thought about to
go Detroit, but it was pregnant with my second son,
(18:49):
so it was like what do we do from us
transition from Baltimore to Detroit, And that whole process was
a lot so eventually end up coming and we just
had to figure it out on the and that's just
part of the process. And I just think my wife
is just super amazing. I'm glad she's like you know
a part of my life because to be able to
tolerate the moving and being here and being there not
(19:11):
necessarily stable in a sense as far as like you
know yourself but you know, and being alone the ride
the whole entire time like and you know and and
not really miss a beat. It's just like I get
my wife all the praise and glory for sure. So
hopefully this answer is the well we're like it to
go these four other teams, which place has kind of
(19:33):
been your favorite place to be at? My favorite place
I think it was actually, um the one that I
actually spent the time in the most and my whole
entire career, which I believe it was the Baltimore So
I just want to make sure I put that out now.
This is the best place, and that's why I never
(19:56):
ever wanted to leave this place. But you know, the
business cass part of it, but this place has just
been home for me, my family, my kids, even my
two year old. Now he does every time you see
a Raven, he just says daddy. He places the Ravens
to Daddy. Only he don't see any other team anybody
say daddy, Daddy. Every time you see the Ravens and
just to see like like the Bond here and being
(20:18):
here and this is just totally different than any other team.
And that's why, like I said this last year that
this place is I believe in this purple and black
all day. This is this is my home, this is
my family. And uh, I don't want to be new
anywhere else and uh and this this is the best
organization in the world. So, um, football comes and girls.
Obviously what is John Who is Josh Bonds? I mean
(20:40):
even playing for a while. I don't know how long,
how much long when I played, but five years down
the line, what is Josh Bonds doing post football career?
Post football wise? Um, I have a lot of things
in mind. I wanted mine. I wouldn't my video coach.
I want my being coach. I wouldn't my being a
football analysts. Uh. I just love and understand the game
(21:02):
on just just a different level on this I would
love to get, you know, give that insight out. So
people are like, oh, you know, kind of like my god,
Damn LASKI, you know, kind of does it for the offense,
but I'll be on the defensive side doing that on
another level, you know what, I mean and and also
inside of that cooking. Me and my wife love love no,
I love we love to cook. I love the cook.
(21:23):
You know. If you see I haven't posted as much
like I usually do in the previous all seasons, but
using all seasons on my stories, always post like whatever
I'm making, like I'm smoking, I'm doing some kind of
just whatever something we see on food Network. That's just
a thing. We have, me and my wife a hobby.
We would love to make some crazy stuff at home.
You have to cook for the guys. Now you're going
(21:43):
too far. I'm not cooking for y'all. Know I'm not crazy.
Not cooking for y'all if you ever want to bring
something out. But I make homemade pasta, I made cakes.
I don't man. I just I make whatever is my brind,
my meats or smoke or I just kind of dibbling out.
(22:05):
But wherever it is and my boys, they're gonna be
spoil rotten. So I don't know, you know, hopefully they
find a great woman cook like me and my wife,
because otherwise they're like we barely ever have the same
thing twice often in my house because we're trying to
make different stuff, you know, all the time, and you know,
just enjoy food. That's one thing we do love chef
bonds all right, if you have to coach at a level,
(22:27):
would there be any level you with Steer clear up
brother's high school? College nfl um Steering clear up high school.
I'm more of a college. And I don't know if
I had that kind of patience. No, I was. That's
just me personally. I don't get nothing wrong. I just
love that. I feel like the college level and the
professional levels more of my speed and what I could
(22:47):
take take for myself. I understanding. So three boys, Yeah,
the hold is your oldest oldest is twelve, and my
Josh Jr. And my seven year olds Jason, and to
you alls, Jordy. So when does football come into play
for the boys? Are they football? I know when I
was a kid, my mom would not let me play
(23:08):
an tool maybe sixth grade or something like that. What
is what is the division? How? How are the kids? So?
Right now? My oldest is in seventh grade, so he's
playing tagger football. He started a sixth grade and he's
the taller, slim like he's a tall fat but he's
fast too though he can't run. I don't know where
you get that from. But he can run, that's for sure.
(23:29):
He could definitely run. And then my seven year olds
doing flag right now, we're holding them all because he's
a big dude. He's a big kid, and we're scared
we put a bit tagle right now. He's that's all
He's going whatever do forever. So we just let him
do his flag football and now both of them in
football seas right now. So that's the challenge. We talked
about other as far as the family, because now they
have the activities on Saturdays, and you know, obviously want
(23:50):
to spend time with them on the weekend, but you
know some saturdays that can aren't able to come up
because I don't want to take away from their activities.
Those my boys, I want them to have. There are
moments they're time and whenever they have a time off
for a weekend, off in school, whatever, then you know
they can come up here and whatever it is. But
I don't want to have them stop their things because
I'm still doing minds. And that's the challenge you have.
(24:10):
And obviously I got said I have a amazing one.
I'm gona say that thalent time because she really is
to you know, to be able to balance them having
me and U here and the boys they are doing
their thing and still finding the time to spend time
with me and come up here or what she can
or bright one kid or to all three, whatever that's possible,
and you know, creating that balance and it takes a
good team for sure. Last question, this is kind of
(24:34):
a little bit dimpling back to the National championship team,
I mean the super Bowl team and this team. Now,
what do you think are some similarities you see or
just similarities that the way you want to go to
that super Bowl team to where this current team you're
on now. Um, the similarities are the fact that we
are we're going through the stuff early. You know, we
(24:56):
have a lot of adversity going through right now, a
lot of things that transpiring that's just gonna build because
a lot of times a lot of people get caught
up in this early phase of things, even that you're
a nine team. When we was here, we went went
two and two in the first four. It was a
lot of things still in that first four games, and
all of a sudden, it was that second and third
quarter of the season when things start to stack up
(25:18):
and and that's what it was for us during that
Super Bowl year. Things was just stacking up in the
right time, in the right fashion. Yeah, you will like
it all right then and there and now, but we're
trying to get to the end game and win the
Super Bowl. We're trying to win the Super Bowl in
week four week the first four weeks of the season,
you know what I mean. So for that team, it
was just like we stacked at each and every game,
each and every quarter of the season, week to week.
(25:38):
It took it as it came. And then when that
versary struck, which that's gonna happen for us, and nineteen
happened the first four and in that year, happened the
last four. Well, like I said, we lost four in
the last five. So whenever it happens, how are you
gonna respond? And at the same time, when you respond,
are you gonna be a Rezilion team or you're gonna
be that team they give up? And and that's what
it's about. And I think this team is right now.
(25:58):
We're going through some stuff right now out and it's
just gonna tinue to lay our foundation over and over
and over and build that character, build that that armor uh,
that we talked about and everything else, and then all
of a sudden, we're just gonna it's gonna be at
the right time, and all of a sudden, it's like
boom boom boom, and everything it's going to click and
click and it's just gonna be flying. And before you
know it, you know we're gonna be holding a Lobardy
ad in the season. I'm hyping. I love it. Josh Vines,
(26:22):
thank you very much, sir, Appreciate you, Bro,
What do you think are some similarities you see that
Super Bowl team to where this current team you're on now.
The similarities are the fact that we're going through the
stuff early. How are you gonna respond? And at the
same time, when you respond, are you gonna be the
resilient team or you're gonna be that team that gives
us Right now, we're going through some stuff right now,
and it's just gonna teue the layoff foundation and build
that character, build that that armor is gonna be at
(00:23):
the right time, and all of a sudden, it's like boom, boom, boom,
and everything's just going to click and click and you're
just gonna be flying and before you know it, you
know we're gonna be holding a Lobarti at the in
the season. I'm hYP I love it. Marland Humphrey is
without a doubt in the conversation to be the best
pointer in the football. How are we doing, guys? We're
(00:49):
here with Josh Bonds Super Bowl Chap twelve year veteran
Josh is great to have you here, man, how are
we doing? I appreciate you having me. You don't want
to start off strong here. You know we both went
to college. M hm, you went to this place in
the plains. I went this other place in Touchcoose, Alabama. Unfortunately,
(01:10):
obviously there's a big divide between those two tips, and
I just want to ask, since I have you here,
why did you choose the worser side? I chose the
best side. I chose the best side. You know, I
got my ring to prove that one, you know what
I mean. You know what I'm saying. You know, I
got that one to prove. So that chose all because
(01:33):
that was that was a place where I went and
that was home for me. That was it was family
atmosphere on like the other school I've heard, but you know,
it's just a great place, you know for family, friends
and everybody. And I've just met my wife there and
it's just, you know, that was one of the best
sis ever made my life. I can't say. I can't
say I took a visit there and you loved it.
(01:54):
I didn't, But I will say I did feel the
family thing. I was all this is this is I did.
I did feel it. I actually was supposed to go
on another visit and it was the kick six, so
m I didn't rough. But since we're on the topic,
I want to talk about that national championship. You want.
(02:17):
When I think of the best collegiate players of all time,
I put Cam Newton in my top ten. And so
I remember, actually I was at one of the get
my brothers playing Arkansas at the time, So I guess
you guys are probably I guess you guys are both
playing college at the same time. And I remember I
was thinking we were gonna upset you guys, and then
(02:38):
Cam Newton just did some damnite You were out there
somewhere obviously, Yeah, but talk to me about that team.
What do you think make that team? You know so special?
That team was special because like everybody was united, Like
you know, Cam had a bunch of things going on
that year, of course, and all these other things going on,
you know, Bama had they Scam Newton signs up and
(03:00):
all that crazy nonsense, and uh, but we just united
back to him up a hundred per cent, and um,
we went through a lot of adversity. That that year
was just rough. We got through some games where it
was three point games, the last second games, a couple
of turnovers at the last few minutes, and even though
you know the iron ball that year, you know what
was the twenties something whatever, that's what it was. And
(03:22):
then Cam just did his thing and boom boo boom.
We end up winning in Tuscaloosa, by the way, and
obviously we know what happened the rest of the way
that year. That was. That was but that team was
just but we were just we had to envision as
soon as like I would say, like Matt Joe workouts
in the spring. We all knew that we had the
talent and when Cam came, was like, no, we're winning
(03:42):
this championship. We don't care what it takes, but we
knew it was gonna win that championship that year. Do
you have any memories like stories that stick out from
that year? I know it seems like college there's a
lot that goes on, but there's anything that specifically sticks
out about that year that sticks out? Oh man, you know,
you gotta go on the archives, you know that was
(04:07):
some some things that stick out the most from that year.
Uh for me personally, you know, I had my two
picks against Arkansas that year, you know what I mean
to back Oh yeah, back to back drives at that
that was one of those games. It was like we
knocked out who was the quarterback, Ryan Mallett I believe,
and then the other quarterback w went up a getting
drafted to H Wilson I believe came member's name. But anyway,
(04:30):
he came in and started launching. It was like what
in the world, just dude was getting all we were
to these I was gonna be an easy way and
he was out of nowhere, just boom boom dimes and um,
just a fourth quarter came wrong. We had a Zach
Arther's got a farmer cover touchdown, I gotta pick and
(04:50):
then the next drive pick again and winding up winning
the game by whatever it was. But yeah, that was
that was definitely something memorable from that year for sure,
at least me personally. Yeah, I think I think about, um,
the one I won in Arizona. We want to get
to Shawn Watson and it was like it was it
(05:11):
was just we we really couldn't stop and we were
just trying to stop the bleeding. So my thing it
was like I just remember, uh, it wasn't even me,
it was it was Kenyan Drake took back that kickoff
return and that was like the d was just like
who you know, because we needed that one, So it
was it was it was crazy to look to look
(05:33):
back on that and just just one or two players
kind of just win those games. So you go on
to NFL, you go undrafted. How does it you left
after you won the national championship? You left that same year? Right,
how was it dealing with I mean, everybody you know
wants to get drafted. How it goes, it doesn't really
matter if you get drafted or not. You go from
(05:54):
that super hard winning that that championship to going undrafted.
Kind of tell me how that kind of transition kind
of goes. Oh man, it was tough. Like you said,
I was on super high and one in that championship,
and you know, I still had a good year, still
had team tackles all that. It wasn't the same uh
statistics as far as they say tackles and stuff, because
the offense was so much better. So we want on
(06:15):
the field as much as that was my junior A
hundreds and some tackles or whatever, and just so happens.
You know, obviously I went undrafted, and it was it
was a rough process just trying to figure everything out.
And I had my oldest son at the time, so
I'm like, uh, I don't have any money and we
had the lockout year going on, so I'm like yo,
So it was the struggle was so real. So me
(06:35):
and my wife is just trying to figure out, you know,
every little thing. She was working. I'm training, working out,
trying to you know, hopefully get through this lockout so
hopefully I get a team opportunity and m and obviously
Baltimore was a team that called me super Lockout And
it was like sometime during training camp time like August,
and uh, I was like, hey, I want to bring
you in out of and I was like, what better
(06:56):
place I would want to go to? You know, ray
Lewis and I was a great line back. It's been
a part of the organization. And of course as I
heard that, I just I'm flying right on now and
literally and that's just how it went. Man. I didn't
even think about the lockout and tell me how like,
so from the draft all the way to trying to
get it was no communication, nothing, it was nothing. So
that the draft started, it was like the first couple
(07:18):
of pigs or whatever it was, and then that was
it lockdown, shut down, So we couldn't do anything. No
communication until August I think it was uh that year,
and so soon as I gotta call, like I got
called that seven o'clock at night. That morning, I was
on the flight of Baltimore because it was everything happened
that fast. And then went for morning physicals and then
we had to run the condition in tests. You believe that, yo,
(07:41):
have not changed it all. Look, so let me tell
you this. You know it's funny, bro. So we uh beginning,
we're doing fils of stuff, right, so doing the process
a bunch of guys. There's so many guys and um.
And then somebody spread to the rumor and said, hey, yo,
I heard we had a conditioning test. And I was like, out,
we gotta just but we just got here, like we're
(08:03):
doing physical there's no way we're gonna run a goot
this in the test. Right of course if we DoLS
to do all that stuff like that and then bring
us here and all the same, it's like, no, you
gotta do a conditioning test. It was like what is that?
And of course you know what you know it save
test save every day. So I did the five and
that sixth one and right, you know, you know how
it is that time you got to get across the line.
(08:24):
At the time, I was like, ah, they said he
didn't make it, right, I was like, oh, my heart
was crushed. But and then of course, oh no, if
I probably say this, but so they let us know.
That was like, look, if you guys don't pass this
test by the next morning, right for a special meeting,
pretty much, let you go. And and I kid you not.
I passed test bunch of guys. And then of course
the guys who didn't pass that morning was especially means
(08:47):
those guys didn't they were not in there, and I
was like, maybe it's just but though they weren't there
at all, so it was only Hawever, me linebackers that
brought the year was only me and this other guy
that was only there for the linebackers to training camp
that year. I respect the rain that's consistent, you know,
I really do. I mean, yeah, I respect the instance.
It was real conditioning tests off the off the jump,
(09:10):
you got real fast. Yeah, that conditioned tests will make
you a man for sure. I remember there's been some
people that I always know the certain people that are
gonna fail. I'll talk to him in the off season.
But even are you practicing this test man, They're like, no,
I'm coming. I'm just like and then I come in
the indoor look at him, and then coming in land,
(09:31):
I'm like, you just gotta have you just have to
have your mind right and you can you can do it.
Oh yeah, for sure. So he said you are one
of the decisions that went into you sign up with Ravens.
Is you know, thinking that guys like Ray Lewis and company.
What's kind of like your first impressions of saying, you know,
such established players already when you when you first come
in as a rookie, I don't forget it. It was
(09:53):
my first like real practice. And when I tell you
you had Ray, you had double J. Johnson, you had
read I mean you had the old shebang and Hellodi sugs.
I mean it was started with the first call. Like
once they said the first call, I mean all you
heard was closed left, boom boom boom, so much communication.
One of the most happenings was boom boom, boom boom.
(10:14):
And it was like I was like, well, this is
like everybody's saying that. I was so used to being
the only person that did that in college. But then
of course I got a little nervous when I came here.
I'm like, this is Ray, this is all these guys
who are so you know, they are Hall of famers.
And then of course I go out there and it
was Dean Peace, it was it was chuckle Ghanda, but
deep's behindburg coach and I'm not here saying close left
(10:36):
kind of low. And then he looked at me. He
was like, I know you louder than that, you know?
Going on, I was like, you better demand this team
you alive? And I was like, yes, I think like
pretty much. You know, I know you're leader. How you
wasn't constantly that lead this team the same way? And
I went out there the next time. I was loud
and I have been. I've been that way ever since.
And that's why it kind of irks me. And like
(10:57):
if a guy says they don't hear anything, because I'm
usually the loudest guy on the field, because I take
that personally. So you think some of that because obviously
playing with you, you've been telling me where's the nickel?
All the time? You have it out like in no time,
you know, did would you contribute some of your leadership
of this defense? Kind of to that saying what you
kind of Oh yeah, for sure. They set the standard.
(11:18):
And then that standard is just what it takes to
be such a great defense and a great leader and
all that and then something and you see those great
players that you play with, and like, I love ever
read to death and that's my guy and I can
text him right now and he knows it as my brother.
And to show how to lead this team, how to
you know, what's the words I'm looking for, just to
(11:41):
just demand the team and just go about your business
the right way each and every game, each and every week,
and how to study the film, how to watch the game.
It's just it's just it's a crazy thing and be
a part of. And I was just blessed to be
one of those guys to be a part of and
still be playing right now. And for me, it's just
about giving it to all you guys, everybody, so you know, obviously,
and y'all continue to pass those things down because that's
(12:02):
what you know, obviously inevitably lead to us. You know,
obviously won the Super Bowl and my second year, yeah,
one of that super second year. I know, every Super
Bowl team has leaders to help them get along the way.
And so that that that Super Bowl year. UM, I've
heard a lot of different stories from different people. Uh,
it sounds crazy. It just sounds crazy the whole week
(12:23):
and the season. I know the season was ups and
downs and then it just kind of just went. But
speaking about the Super Bowl weeks specifically, I know a
lot goes down. I know you made the game winning tackle.
You know you never over never over over. But what
do you remember about you know, that team? What do
you remember about that game? Um? I mean there was
(12:43):
there's a ton to go off of that game, just
lights off everybody. What is what? What do you kind
of remember the most about that that season, that year
that you'll just never forget. Um the part I feel
like I would never forget, uh in a moment that
happened was uh Ray Rice when it was fourth in
(13:03):
a gazillion in San Diego, San Diego, not Los Angeles charged,
San Diego charges, and out of nowhere checked down and
it went for like a yard or inch or whatever,
right passed first down and we end up winning that
game and saying Ago nice blocked by bolt and I
believe it was. And after the game and just you
just everybody could tell like it was so like like
(13:26):
we do in that moment, like this team is capable
so much more than you know where we are right now.
We know we're cable of super Bowl team, and everybody
bought in, like we know we're cable going to the
playoffs and getting in and win the Super Bowl. We
know we have to go through these trials and tribulations
and all these kind of things. And we were so
resilient that year, and we knew even at the last
of what five games we lost four the last five.
(13:48):
Believe that year we start off nine and two, we're
you know, humming, and all of a sudden we get
injuries and like you know, like every year, things happened,
and we lost four the last five, but we finally
won that one against the Giants to get us in
the playoffs, and all guys about was like, look, we're
gonna get guys healthy, and when we get in, we're
gonna to run the table. And when I tell you,
we said that and we actually did that. It was
(14:08):
just the craziest thing. But like and god like, we
was like we believed in each other over and over
there even when we were losing those couple of games,
and in the end of the year, the skis were
still like, we still believe we're gonna get this done
and overcoming all this that version, we're still gonna come
out on top. And it's just amazing to see how
we're still en up winning that year. Speaking into existence,
it's crazy to hear that that's your like most memorable
(14:31):
memory because I asked Eric what about that same play
and he was the one that got block and he
thought he got like knocked out, didn't know what happened,
he said, My time he comes to continence, he's like,
forgot we won the game. He thought they won the game,
and he was all good. They were like, we lost.
(14:53):
So that's that's. Uh. Hearing that story from him is
the exact opposite. But um, that's that's just funny. So um,
super Bowl champ undrafted twelve years. What do you think
that's kept you around so long? I know, for for me,
it's like it's it's weird, Like I didn't really realize
(15:14):
it until probably like really like two years in. But
I remember we used to be in like rookie with
all the rookies in the first round, and they's always say,
the only person here that should be comfortable was probably
Marlin and Ill used to be like what do you
what do you mean? It took me a while I understand,
Like when you're those later draft picks, undrafted, you just
(15:36):
always have to be so displine, you always have to
be so ready. There's never a time you can really
you know, it's it's a it's a luxury to be
drafted early, but it's such a grind in so much
more pleasable to be in this later round. Just got
to be really on your p's and Ques, what do
you think it's been the biggest thing that's kept you
around so long. For me, it's just like on resilient,
(15:56):
let's all get out, Like I'm always been denied. And
when I came and they told me what I couldn't
do and what I can't do, what I'm not able
to do. You're not fast enough, you're not this enough.
And for me, just every year I'm proving that I
can do this, Like I'm just as fast enough, I'm
smart enough, I'm able to make plays, I'm still able
to do this on a on a consistent level. And
(16:17):
and also for me, it's just the guys. I love
this man, I love football. I love this, you know,
the week the week grind. I can't stay in training camp.
I can't. I can't stay in training again. I can't
stand that part of it. You know, if I get
that that's the process of the game. But as far
as if I could just boop forget that and just
go right to the you know, season grinding the weekend
and week out, studying for teams over and over. Man,
(16:39):
I love that part. Lived for that part, So then
that way I can, like I said, I love the
pass down every single thing like knowledge or things I
find with teams the week the week and give up
the guys like and then go out to execute on Sunday.
It's just it's just an exhilarating feeling. And then obviously
to get a win like we did this pass song,
it's just even even better. So it's just to see
the hard work that week of preparation, watching tape and
(17:02):
going through the mistakes and blah blah blah blah, and
then you see it pays off my Sunday. It's just
for me. It's just it's such a great feeling. I
love that and doing it for my guys each and
every time I'm out there I know you've been with
four other teams. Tell me, how is it from going
from kind of bouncing around from team the team. I
know you have a you know, wife, three kids? Do
you take them with you? Then in one place, I
(17:24):
think a lot of people failed to realize it from
just a fan perspective, like, oh, it just got traded,
this thing, like it's just such an easy just I
just go. It's I go, My family goes. Everything I
got learned talking about how was it from kind of
going from those different places. Oh, it was tough. Luckily,
I spent a good amount of time early in my
career those places. I did three here, three in Detroit. Uh,
(17:46):
then too in Arizona. But then then this part was Baltimore, Cincinnati,
and I'll Baltimo in Baltimore. So at least and those partly. Luckily,
I was there long enough where we had a good
foundation and stuff, and my kids were younger, so it
was It's still tough the transit because like when I
first went to Detroit, I was actually here on Pravtor
squad and then Detroit picked me up, and I kid
(18:07):
you not, this is the craziest conversation ever. I was
frustrated because I was I went from a starter there
before and then the Privtor squad the next year for
like two games, three games where I was here and
I was frustrated, one playing blah blah blah, and my
wife was like, Uh, it could be any better. It
could be somewhere in Detroit and not kid you not,
not even there was the next day. It was Sunday night.
(18:28):
We was talking. Monday morning, I get a call. I'm like, Detroit,
what is this? And I answered the phone and Detroites Old,
We're trying to pretty much bring you here on a
practic schold blah blah blah. And I told my wife
and she was like, are you serious. It was like
I was like yeah, he probably kind of said this
is just the night before and ironically thought about to
go Detroit, but it was pregnant with my second son,
(18:49):
so it was like what do we do from us
transition from Baltimore to Detroit, And that whole process was
a lot so eventually end up coming and we just
had to figure it out on the and that's just
part of the process. And I just think my wife
is just super amazing. I'm glad she's like you know
a part of my life because to be able to
tolerate the moving and being here and being there not
(19:11):
necessarily stable in a sense as far as like you
know yourself but you know, and being alone the ride
the whole entire time like and you know and and
not really miss a beat. It's just like I get
my wife all the praise and glory for sure. So
hopefully this answer is the well we're like it to
go these four other teams, which place has kind of
(19:33):
been your favorite place to be at? My favorite place
I think it was actually, um the one that I
actually spent the time in the most and my whole
entire career, which I believe it was the Baltimore So
I just want to make sure I put that out now.
This is the best place, and that's why I never
(19:56):
ever wanted to leave this place. But you know, the
business cass part of it, but this place has just
been home for me, my family, my kids, even my
two year old. Now he does every time you see
a Raven, he just says daddy. He places the Ravens
to Daddy. Only he don't see any other team anybody
say daddy, Daddy. Every time you see the Ravens and
just to see like like the Bond here and being
(20:18):
here and this is just totally different than any other team.
And that's why, like I said this last year that
this place is I believe in this purple and black
all day. This is this is my home, this is
my family. And uh, I don't want to be new
anywhere else and uh and this this is the best
organization in the world. So, um, football comes and girls.
Obviously what is John Who is Josh Bonds? I mean
(20:40):
even playing for a while. I don't know how long,
how much long when I played, but five years down
the line, what is Josh Bonds doing post football career?
Post football wise? Um, I have a lot of things
in mind. I wanted mine. I wouldn't my video coach.
I want my being coach. I wouldn't my being a
football analysts. Uh. I just love and understand the game
(21:02):
on just just a different level on this I would
love to get, you know, give that insight out. So
people are like, oh, you know, kind of like my god,
Damn LASKI, you know, kind of does it for the offense,
but I'll be on the defensive side doing that on
another level, you know what, I mean and and also
inside of that cooking. Me and my wife love love no,
I love we love to cook. I love the cook.
(21:23):
You know. If you see I haven't posted as much
like I usually do in the previous all seasons, but
using all seasons on my stories, always post like whatever
I'm making, like I'm smoking, I'm doing some kind of
just whatever something we see on food Network. That's just
a thing. We have, me and my wife a hobby.
We would love to make some crazy stuff at home.
You have to cook for the guys. Now you're going
(21:43):
too far. I'm not cooking for y'all. Know I'm not crazy.
Not cooking for y'all if you ever want to bring
something out. But I make homemade pasta, I made cakes.
I don't man. I just I make whatever is my brind,
my meats or smoke or I just kind of dibbling out.
(22:05):
But wherever it is and my boys, they're gonna be
spoil rotten. So I don't know, you know, hopefully they
find a great woman cook like me and my wife,
because otherwise they're like we barely ever have the same
thing twice often in my house because we're trying to
make different stuff, you know, all the time, and you know,
just enjoy food. That's one thing we do love chef
bonds all right, if you have to coach at a level,
(22:27):
would there be any level you with Steer clear up
brother's high school? College nfl um Steering clear up high school.
I'm more of a college. And I don't know if
I had that kind of patience. No, I was. That's
just me personally. I don't get nothing wrong. I just
love that. I feel like the college level and the
professional levels more of my speed and what I could
(22:47):
take take for myself. I understanding. So three boys, Yeah,
the hold is your oldest oldest is twelve, and my
Josh Jr. And my seven year olds Jason, and to
you alls, Jordy. So when does football come into play
for the boys? Are they football? I know when I
was a kid, my mom would not let me play
(23:08):
an tool maybe sixth grade or something like that. What
is what is the division? How? How are the kids? So?
Right now? My oldest is in seventh grade, so he's
playing tagger football. He started a sixth grade and he's
the taller, slim like he's a tall fat but he's
fast too though he can't run. I don't know where
you get that from. But he can run, that's for sure.
(23:29):
He could definitely run. And then my seven year olds
doing flag right now, we're holding them all because he's
a big dude. He's a big kid, and we're scared
we put a bit tagle right now. He's that's all
He's going whatever do forever. So we just let him
do his flag football and now both of them in
football seas right now. So that's the challenge. We talked
about other as far as the family, because now they
have the activities on Saturdays, and you know, obviously want
(23:50):
to spend time with them on the weekend, but you
know some saturdays that can aren't able to come up
because I don't want to take away from their activities.
Those my boys, I want them to have. There are
moments they're time and whenever they have a time off
for a weekend, off in school, whatever, then you know
they can come up here and whatever it is. But
I don't want to have them stop their things because
I'm still doing minds. And that's the challenge you have.
(24:10):
And obviously I got said I have a amazing one.
I'm gona say that thalent time because she really is
to you know, to be able to balance them having
me and U here and the boys they are doing
their thing and still finding the time to spend time
with me and come up here or what she can
or bright one kid or to all three, whatever that's possible,
and you know, creating that balance and it takes a
good team for sure. Last question, this is kind of
(24:34):
a little bit dimpling back to the National championship team,
I mean the super Bowl team and this team. Now,
what do you think are some similarities you see or
just similarities that the way you want to go to
that super Bowl team to where this current team you're
on now. Um, the similarities are the fact that we
are we're going through the stuff early. You know, we
(24:56):
have a lot of adversity going through right now, a
lot of things that transpiring that's just gonna build because
a lot of times a lot of people get caught
up in this early phase of things, even that you're
a nine team. When we was here, we went went
two and two in the first four. It was a
lot of things still in that first four games, and
all of a sudden, it was that second and third
quarter of the season when things start to stack up
(25:18):
and and that's what it was for us during that
Super Bowl year. Things was just stacking up in the
right time, in the right fashion. Yeah, you will like
it all right then and there and now, but we're
trying to get to the end game and win the
Super Bowl. We're trying to win the Super Bowl in
week four week the first four weeks of the season,
you know what I mean. So for that team, it
was just like we stacked at each and every game,
each and every quarter of the season, week to week.
(25:38):
It took it as it came. And then when that
versary struck, which that's gonna happen for us, and nineteen
happened the first four and in that year, happened the
last four. Well, like I said, we lost four in
the last five. So whenever it happens, how are you
gonna respond? And at the same time, when you respond,
are you gonna be a Rezilion team or you're gonna
be that team they give up? And and that's what
it's about. And I think this team is right now.
(25:58):
We're going through some stuff right now out and it's
just gonna tinue to lay our foundation over and over
and over and build that character, build that that armor uh,
that we talked about and everything else, and then all
of a sudden, we're just gonna it's gonna be at
the right time, and all of a sudden, it's like
boom boom boom, and everything it's going to click and
click and it's just gonna be flying. And before you
know it, you know we're gonna be holding a Lobardy
ad in the season. I'm hyping. I love it. Josh Vines,
(26:22):
thank you very much, sir, Appreciate you, Bro,
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