December 10, 2024 • 51 mins
"Stew and the Crew" is hosted by Jonathan Stewart, the Carolina Panthers' all-time leading rusher, and Jeremy Kelley, Director of Legends Affairs. Together, they invite legendary guests to delve into the intricacies of the game and life after football. This week J-Stew sits down with former Panthers running back/wide receiver, Dwight Stone.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We're the thirteenth pick in the two thousand and eight
NFL drafts. Karen Lanson hand there select Jonathan Stewart gets
to Stewart, he leaves touched up.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Stewart oh rough tough right, angry man out at elbows, knees.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Stewart hesitates, accelerates. That's what I'm talking about. Fit the
spass ball football.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Conathan Stuart got running around.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Stewart jump over a tackler at the tent, flows up,
lawers his shoulder, keeps running.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
No one will touch him. Jonathan Stewart house is up.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
You talk about.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Explosive plays at the run game. It's like the fourth
of July around here.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Right now you are listening to Stu and the crew,
Now to Jonathan Stewart's and Jeremy Kelly. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.
We're excited for our show today, joined by my co host,
Panthers all time leader Russia, Jonathan Stewart, the one and
(00:50):
only the white Stone. Stoney did we didn't even get.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Into white Stone, Ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
The white Stone.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
The right around your lip, y'all are not gonna set
me up.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
I had now, Look, we just matched the energy man. Okay,
we are joined by fourteen year NFL veteran to white Stone,
former Carolina panther Man. It's great to have you on
the show.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Man, Hey, I appreciate your love.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
You know, I appreciate y'all having me here, and hopefully
this will go great.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Hopefully, Yes, it's gonna Okay, Man, it's gone. Look, I
don't think I've ever been around you and something didn't
work out. You get it done, Dwight. You've ever done
a podcast? Oh yeah, I did quite a few. Yeah, yes,
but I'm not always believing being behind the scene. That's
a bold face. Look be on the streets.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I mean, it's a certain behind the scene. I call
behind the scene.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Okay, you know like you two.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
I have y'all podcast.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
That's right. Well, look I'm gonna get into it because
I'm gonna go back. We want to recap. We always
like to give a leettle intro for our guests. And
as I mentioned, fourteen in your NFL career, Man, you
as an undrafted free agent. Yes, hats off, Yeah, hats
off always always, Uh, you can't man, fourteen, Let's.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Pay homage College Mittle Middle Tennessee, Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
The.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
State undrafted. Yes, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chuck
Nolan nineteen eighty seven. Strike here man, Yes, you know,
as they might call it, you know, the scabs. But
I ain't gonna put that on you now because you
don't get you can't be a scab and was fourteen
So but but but you had an interesting experience enter
in the NFL. I'm sure teammates like John Stalworth. Oh, yes,
(02:39):
the one and only Donnie Shell. Yes, yes, yes, legend
in the area. Charlotte still around.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yes, so he hitting like that? Oh yes, I uhould
be his punching back.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
No, you gotta get into that. We're gonna get into
Dwight Stone spent his first eight seasons with the Pittsburgh
Steelers from eighty seven to ninety four. We do know that,
before signing with the expansion team, the Carolina Panthers in
nineteen ninety five, staying here to nineteen ninety eight. So
you had a good four seasons with us, man, you
got to start it, love it before you went on
(03:10):
to finish with the New york Yests. Yes, that's right,
that's right man. You've had a I mean a lot
of legendary teammates throughout that time. We're gonna break into it, man,
But look it's the second time of the week id
and got to see you now.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Aren't you? Blessed? Was the first time? What was the
first time? What you was doing was trying to figure
it that first time? I don't remember, I.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Don't remember hold on that. But but you also so
you just went up Okay, let me let me back
up here too, because this is we want to get
serious for a second, because we all just went up
to Ashville. Okay, yeah, we all volunteered to spend some
time on the stony you one today after we went.
But I saw, I saw the highlights of Matt. I
need you to pull this clip in because this brother
(03:52):
still got some juice you When we went to Ashville
Elementary School, yes, and brought the brought the energy for
the children, and when they introduced you, still we his
brother hit the high knees over the bags like I
don't know. He might have had some more puns than
you did though when he came down that when he
came down that riley Field's blue carpet.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Uh yeah, I did have knees to the chest.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Still got it pay for it the next day though
we all do we.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
All do you gotta pull that clip? You had some
juice still, man, No, in all seriousness, and we all
drove through Ashville. I saw what is still there, saw
what these people are dealing with, you know, the wreckage
and just the turmoil, the trees that hurricane brought up businesses.
(04:42):
But to see the joy in the kid faced man
and the children, the teachers, the parents give our gifts
towards clothes. What was the experience for you?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
It was one of those you said on television, but
you don't really know how it really is, how it's
gonna affect you and what you're gonna see. When I
got there, it actually looked like a like it was
a war, you know, you see that wore the battleground everything.
And it was just amazing on how they accepted us
(05:11):
when we got there. The kids were very respectful, very thankful,
and just the whole time there it was great.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
You almost just for those few hours. Yes, right, you
can see like they just get to forget about everything else, right, Yes,
And I think it's a special position that we're in
to be able to do so. And kudos to our community.
Relations Department, to Dave and Nicole and everybody that has
(05:42):
a hand, and and certainly to you guys as legends.
I mean, Jonathan came out, Kenny Moore came out, and
Charlotte Native you know, wake Forest Alump. So this is
his home, through and through. You made some time for us, man,
So we don't take that lightly, Okay, apprecreciate making the
time coming to that.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Man.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Sure, that's a huge impact. It's awesome to be able
to make an impact on kids when things are going well,
you know what I'm saying, like throwing cams and whatnot.
But when you show up on someone's doorstep when things
are going bad, that's love. You know what I'm saying.
Loved to me, the definition of love is showing up
there you go, you know what I'm saying, Like you
(06:23):
can say all day long, but when you show up
and you're just you're just there in the presence through
the struggle and just kind of giving some sense of
like not alone. That that's what this was all about.
And that's what I felt. On the receiving end. I'm
going to go give, but I'm receiving something, you know
(06:44):
what I'm saying. And that's the beauty of showing up,
you know, for people when they're in need. And it's
not just the kids, it's the teachers. Think about that.
You know, they got a lot on their plate. They
got families that they're providing for, you know, not just financially,
but you know, being there mentally, spiritually, uh and guiding
(07:05):
the ship that that they're responsible for and having to
show up and you know, put smiles on, yes, and
make these kids at school feel comfortable, not knowing you know,
how their kids are feeling at home or wherever they
are at school.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
And in many ways they you know, probably feeling that
they're their own kids, treating them as wrong kids, right,
you know, seeing some kids might come in with not
not proper clothing and it's wintertime and you know, you could,
you know, we could see some of those things. Right.
So it's a humbling and and a it kind of
just brings you back to round level reality perspective right
(07:46):
before the holidays.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Man.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
So yeah, yeah, and we are we are going to
be serving again next week Tuesday, December seventeenth, right here
at Bank of America Stadium, and you once again are
showing up.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Man.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
So yes, Man, show up the brothers. What your brother
does though, and he did the same in his career.
He did the same in his career. Man, So we're
gonna we're gonna talk about it. Okay, we're gonna talk
about it because you were the ultimate Swiss army knife.
You know, we talk about running backs kind of doing
it all. Man, they had you a running back, kick
return to pump, return your receiver wide out. They didn't
(08:19):
know what number there is gonna give you the truth
just showed up.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I just want to know if y'all, y'all, if y'all
can't see this, but I'm sitting next to this man,
his forearms just as big as mind been breaking bricks
and for I take pride in having big four arms.
And right now I feel like I gotta call you
like Pops or something, because like we like, ain't they look?
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Man, look tell us because I want to go back,
because you don't just you know, you don't just wake
up like that, man so so born and raised. Tell
us about your upbringing.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
I grew up in our place called Florilla, Alabama spelled
fl o r a l A. It's on the borderline
of Alabama and Florida. You see FLA for Florida. But
it was like this, I guess, like the panhandle Florida
down by pencil cola over there, single mom, uh, next
to the youngest, four brothers, two sisters. Mom work day
(09:20):
and night, you know. And that's the one thing I
must say. Everything that I accomplished wasn't from my drive.
It's from from my mom drive.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Moving.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But yes, and uh, just watching her go to work,
not complain, not do things for herself. And I remember
we grew up, we grew up in the projects. And
I'm thinking like, if you don't know any better, if
you got friends, you do the same thing. Then we
start looking at uh, my mom and I'm looking at
her paycheck one time somehow I don't know if she'd
(09:48):
let it down.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
I just looked at her. I said, how in.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
The world are you doing what you're doing with what
you're making? But you know, through the grace of God,
God put you do certain things. And the people that
we had is how you treat people, how things are
open for you. And just by watching her and how
she carried herself made me do like playing football joy
(10:12):
and made it easier for me.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Was there someone you know, an adult you know a
family member or a friend's parent that showed up in
ways that like got you through your childhood. Because I
know for me, I grew up in a single parent
And I tell people all the time, if it wasn't
for God sending the Jed Angels into my life, yes,
(10:35):
like I wouldn't be where I am.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Okay, okay, yes, back we had I had a coach
called Coach Lancaster. He was in middle school, didn't even
up transfer into high school. His named George Lancaster. He
had his wife taught English, he had two sons, but
he was always there. I mean he was a basketball coach,
he was a football coach, and he.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Was always there.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
He gave us a ride to practice, you know, away
from practice. Because I grew up we didn't even have
a car. I made like to have a car. He
think that's something that every family would have. We didn't
have a car. As a matter of fact, my mom
didn't know it, didn't have her license. But one thing
that the Lord did bless me. After my first year,
(11:19):
I said, Mom, I think she was like fifty three.
I said, if you learn how to drive, I buy
your car.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
I be doing.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
She learned how to drive, and she learned how to drive.
I ended up driving a car from Pittsburgh and to
Florilla and giving it to her. You know, I said, Mom,
I can't repay you. You know, all your blessings you
have done for me and my brothers and sisters. I said, God,
You're god giving. And I said, everything I do, I
do because I remember seeing you coming in and going
(11:48):
to work. And so I said, so what I'm doing
is it's nothing.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
That's gotta be a great feeling, no question, Yeah it is.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
You know.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
So that was your first year in Pittsburgh, Yes, my
first year, and so as mentioned, you know, rookie in
nineteen eighty seven, strike year and you're creating to it
coming into ooh check you out look at him.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Look, hey man, your history major. It's just one of
the random things. But I was also born in eighty seven.
Looks I knew because I was born in nineteen eighty
So what you got jokes? Jo, Like, I know my year.
I know a lot of things about my mind. I
know I heard it. But Eugenie, you said you were
(12:33):
yeah you.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Will, I wasn't born yet.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Yeah, it was just okay, just what is where it started?
Turning right here with you.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Look. So look I was actually I was eighty eight.
I was eight, so I wasn't far behind. But but
as mentioned Chi Chuck, no head coach, legendary coach. So
I want to know, you know as you walk into
the meeting rooms in nineteen eighty seven, right, because we
have a lot of young you know, more recent legends
that come on the show. But I like to get.
We like to dig a little deeper. Man, We gotta get.
(13:02):
We like to get. You were on the inaugural roster, yes,
but but digging back, getting it the history of the game,
and we talk about how the experiences have changed from
now till then. Right for Benningford worst whatever it may be, exactly,
but walking into a uh uh as an undrafted free agent,
chuck nole, like I said, the John Stalwarts of the world, yes, right,
you know, and the Donnie Shills. What was your first
(13:25):
earliest NFL memories, even up in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Oh well we had three of days, three days.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Yes, he went into the pain first. Law, he went
to the pain first.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
What was what could you possibly do? And I have
no idea I still did to today. I still don't
know what the heck we was doing. I know, we
didn't rest though. It's like three of days, and I
remember my first time there. I don't think I'm big time.
I'm getting off the plane. They have like a little shudder,
a little shuttle. You know, you get on it. You
(13:58):
got see other players getting known it.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
You in the latrobe. I didn't know them, they didn't
know me, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
So we end up getting there and so on the
first day it was like testa day where you run
around the track, went on the track, around the field
five times. Each time you're timed. You know how fast
you're going, check your pulse and everything. So we start
So the first two, you know, I'm with the crowd.
(14:25):
First three, I'm with the crowd. Four with the crowd,
I said, man, they going too slow for me. Oh
so I took off and I probably in God and God,
you know, I'm my lines, probably probably meat everybody about
twenty seconds.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Good lord. So, uh, the veterans come back.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
The vectors come in like a week later, and so
the last time the fear for one coach knows say
he told Calvin Sweeney, Hey, he's gonna take off.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
I want you to run with him, you know, he's
gonna do it now. So we took off.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
And I took off like I did, and he came
with me and he's like, I witch you now, so
you're ready to run now? Oh so yeah, about a
halfway and it probably beat him about ten fifteen yards
and he got there. He said, Coach, I don't know
what this guy got in him, but I couldn't stay
with him, you know. It was just a matter of
me training. I used to train twenty four to seven.
(15:19):
I used to get up at night at one o'clock
and run. Yes, I used to do crazy workout.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
What was the driving force behind now kidding up at
one o'clock in the morning.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Cost What's the old saying is you only can push yourself,
you know, mentally, no matter what they had out there.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
I used to get up at one. I used to
get up at six. Sometime.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I do like three workouts in one day. I used
to go when I was back in school, carry.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
A sheet rock. If you ever carry a sheeting, you
want to become a man, you carry a sheet rock. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
And I used to work out before I went to work,
and I work out after I went to work because
I said, if I'm being the best conditioned athlete, you know, myself.
Then they could not be noticed, and thank god I
was noticed by that.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
So you run a four to two, you runn a
four to two forty. I'm gonna tell you, hey, y'all,
y'all gonna laugh at this. I was time I went
to I flew as a free agent. You know, I
wasn't drafted. So after the draft, they'll fly your different teams.
So I went to visit Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I went out there and they said, hey, you know,
we want to time you in the forty. We want
to see how many time you do twenty two, twenty
five and everything. So I did two, twenty five, I
did it thirty times, and then and then and twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Yes, oh you did, and yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
He said that's cute.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
And so what they did was they said they're gonna
time you. So they had three guys line up at
the forty and they put me at the goal line.
They said, hey, move on your movement. I said okay.
So I took off and right I got the plane.
It was like maybe an hour I got the plane,
I did the workout. So this get you in and
get you out, so straight off. Then then I then
(17:04):
I ran the forty. They looked at the clock, they
looked at me. They looked at each other, like three.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I was like, dang.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
I said, hey, I'm a little slow now. I just
got off the plane, you know, I said, So I apologize,
you know.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
And they take you go running again. Hey boy, we
need you to do that again.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
So that they did it again. They said, what do
you think you ran? They said, people are not gonna
believe us when we tell them this. I said, I said,
y'all tell me. I said, I'm kind of slow. I said,
I fell slow today. I apologize, you know. They said, no,
they said, and people are not gonna believe this. They said,
I was I was time at four one five, four
(17:46):
one six in a four one six. They said, people
will not believe this. But that they said, we witness it, yep.
And they asked me because I just left the Steelers
cause I chose I chose the Steelers because I saw
a picture of the Pittsburgh on the side of the road.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
That's why I chose Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
But when I was uh in Kansas City, they said,
what did the sticks offer? You said, whatever they offer you,
we give you more.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
I said, nah.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
But I prayed about it, and I saw that picture
and that's why I want to picture.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Saw a picture on the road that told you to Pittsburgh.
That's awesome. That's the power of prayer. Later, man, foy, look,
let me tell you. Let me break this down for people,
because I don't think they realized this. When you're sitting
on a plane. You flew from where to where I
flew from Nashville to Kansas City. Okay, that's about an
(18:39):
hour and a half. And he probably worked. He was
working out like a dog like during that time. So
you probably got some stiffness here and there that you
got to manage. So he on a plane and he
get off the plane and he knows he going to
go work out. Now, not necessarily sure what that's gonna
look like. Mentally, he's mentally right. So but he shows
(19:02):
up and he just runs a full one six. He says, oh,
sorry about that guy. I'm a little I'm a little slow.
I ain't living up yet. Man, Look I ran a four.
My fastest time ever recorded was a four through five
and it was in college. Man, it got big, you are, yeah,
but to be running full one six, that's a whole
(19:24):
difference to.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Look over here, dope, look over here. I was happy
with four or five. They looked at They looked at
me and said that's good enough. I said, I'm good too.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Who was the fastest person behind Clearly, he was the
fastest person on every team you played. Who was the
fastest person behind you? Well, in the NFL, just on
the team, on a team. I really didn't know. He
didn't care, ladies, because that's how fast he was.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Well.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Ron Wilson for the Steelers, Okay, yeah, he was drafted
in eighty seven.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
Yeah, he grab eighty seven. Yeah, from Purdue. I had
a squad man. He's an athlete.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
You and so from Pittsburgh though, And I'm looking at
my ship. But you do know that, you know you
came here and you spent you spent your four seasons
here in Carolina, Yes, all right, and the expensive team
with the NFL at that time, brought in the Jaguars,
brought in the Panthers, and you guys kick things off
down in Clemson. Yes, right, And you guys have some
(20:25):
you played with the greats, Yes, I did, Sam Mills, right,
you had Wesley, Yes, you had a young mouse Muhammad.
I want you to tell us about a young mouse.
You came in ninety five, but moose comes in two
years later. Yes, if I'm not mistaken, seven tell us
of it. And you were playing wide receiver at this time.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Yes, well, special team, I was yestair.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Coach he was running for by that time. Yes, yes,
and so yeah, you slowed down a little bit too.
H What was what was what was the first and
version of a young mussin straight out of Michigan State.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Well, me and Mark Harrier and will and Willy Green.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
You remember that time when will now, yes, you remember
that time when you saw who was it? Magic Johnson
and Bird talking to each other and they're watching Jordan's Yeah,
that's the same thing move and we're like, man, somebody
positions go.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
I'm not worried about the new sheriff, and she im
like he came in. I'm like, what in the world
is this?
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Jesus big man big I mean just just I mean
I remember him catching the ball across heet, hit by
the linebacker.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I mean, just shake it off, just kept going, I said, Mark,
I said, you and Willie I'm a special tea. Yeah,
I'm telling you you were safe. I was safe.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
I like, I don't know, man, I said, but yeah, man,
me and Mussine She's sitting next to each other, and uh,
and practice, I mean in the meetings, and I've always
write down there. I mean, even if I've seen something
that the coaches went over, I'm still writing it over.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
That's why your memory.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And I always try to know every position that is
possible that I could be playing.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
And so Mussinne was sit next to me. He said,
why you're always writing?
Speaker 2 (22:25):
I said, hey, the more you write it, the less
you have to think, you know. And so Mussin started
doing it. So he told me, he said, I want
to appreciate you. I said, what man? He said, you know,
you're a.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Very class guy.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
You know, you're always taking notes, You're always doing things
even though you knew that you were gonna play.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
But yes, in case you were gonna play, you're prepared.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I said, oh yeah, that's what you gotta do to
be professional here and make it for a long time.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
You have to do the little thing, you know. That's
how That's what I learned from the going goings. Always
did things the right way, always taking notes. Brad Hoover
to yes, just always stand fresh. Stan green. Yeahmer that
you turned red as far as the tomatoes, Yes, he
turn we turned ready. You want to be over with
(23:12):
when we get eating. So but so like Moose, go
back to Moose. What was he? What was what was
young Moose like in the locker room and like because
when I got drafted, Moose was the only man that
was showing up to the locker room in a business
(23:33):
suit with like a briefcase, haircut like shaved, like ready
to go to work after work. He No, that's how
he was.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
Man. He must have changed, tell me about it. He
came in you know, his hair was nappy. You can
say that, Yeah, you can say that, you know, yeah,
I know walking around, you know, I always we had
a warm up suit off if I remember right, Yes,
he'd always come in you know, like here the may
(24:07):
I always come over there, you know, walking around like
he was just stuff.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
But I ain't never seen no business attire. That's something
new to me. He must have took after a lot
of that Dernshire.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Wasn't me because I was wearing warm up suit with
shirt that didn't match. You know, Yes, but yeah, Husin
came in class at I mean he want to work.
We had a coach named Richard Williamson, and boy he
had bomp hey wasn't the word.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
I thought, they're gonna do a knockdown, drag out and you.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Know, I was like, he's a coach, man, he's I said, listen,
young book, I say, at the end of the day,
you get a bad reputation around the NFL. Okay, how
good you are? You gonna be going, you know. But
he started understanding, and the coach started understanding too. You
gotta treat him like a young man. You know, you
can't treat him like a kid. He's a young man
(24:59):
because he jump on your coach. I can't can't get you,
I can't get him off. No, I got too many
years in the league.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Oh yeah, I love it. Man. Well you had you
guys had you know, even at that time, right, you
had a lot of stars. I mean, like I said,
you had John Casey, you had Weston Walls, you had
Sam Mills, right. The leadership on that scene was that,
you know, just Pete Yes. Right. So again I ask you,
what's the difference in coming again You're getting a new
(25:27):
beginning in nineteen ninety five versus coming into the league
in nineteen eighty seven where it's a lot of turmoil
going on in the locker room, a lot of discord.
You got to strike years, guys crossing the line, union
and PA all that stuff. So, I you know, we
didn't really touch on that. But now much different situation,
but it's still very unique in the fact that there's
(25:48):
a lot of vets that are being exported from other teams,
the expansion team coming here to Carolina. Okay, so what
was the what was the vibe was it? Was it
a little bit of egos.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Now, you'd be amazed when every other got here. You know,
we done did all that, you know, running around and
trying to do this. Everybody knew their road. Everybody mature
at the time. You know, hey, if you starting, it's
all good. If you're doing this is all good. At
the end of the day, we're all gonna be playing together.
And that first year when we came here and the
way we took off, I think the people's got shocked,
(26:21):
Like how these guys because egos.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
Loof at the door.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Hey nobody you got say meals there you got a
little mare lathing there. You got like you said, you
got John Casey, you got a lot of guys, Frank Wright,
you got all these guys there, and we always been
through that attitude thing. You know, we got pretty much
got families. Now you know we're gonna do our job. Hey,
let's just help me eat your other out. So everybody
(26:45):
was humble and everybody was glad to play together. Because
you've seen guys some other teams. You're like, I want,
how kind of guy that is? Then once you got
together it all Michigan.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
I love that, Like that is that's what the That's
the Panther way, Yes, it is. That's the absolute Panther way,
the mixture of vets, the mindset that hey, look, egos aside.
I know my role exactly. I know my role, and
I look at the years that we were successful. You
know my ten years here, those years felt exactly how
(27:18):
you just how you just explained it, like all egos
were aside. Yes, if we sensed the ego, we was
punching it in the mouth and getting it out of
the locker room, I'm saying. And because there was no
place for it. You know, there's there's a lot of
guys that are putting their bodies on the line, got
guys getting injured year in and year out, and you know,
(27:41):
to maintain that culture and that that that that vibrancy,
you have to have guys that are in it for
the right reasons. I mean you guys you said you mentioned,
you know, everybody was mature, they had families. I look
at our roster. It was a lot of years where
it was just families. I don't really I don't recall
(28:03):
too often having a roster where there's a lot of
single guys and guys that were just you know, out willing,
nearly doing whatever they want to do. Now you have
like a small group, you know, first two years of
like rookies being on the team, and then eventually certain
guys stay and certain guys go. But they maintained that credibility,
(28:27):
you know when it came to you know, like checking
the ego. Yes, like I know my role and it
makes it easier for coaches, yes, right, knowing that you
can go in to a room and basically tell guys
what to do and how to do it, and now
have to feel like you have to tiptoe around and
you know, protect this guy's ego and not say certain
(28:50):
things to get him that play well on Sunday. I
mean that's awesome, man, that's awesome. Here culture goes back
to when you it goes back to the first season.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
And and and you know, there probably might have been
a scouting tactic behind that, right in terms of how
they were looking at what guys are looking for, you know,
so you know to that point, you guys turned it
around what seven and nine? First year, if I'm not mistaken,
the second year, playoffs the second year, yes, sir, which
is impressive in itself. Yes, right, So what do you
(29:23):
remember from that year?
Speaker 3 (29:25):
It's the same thing. You know, we always knew that
what we could do was just still.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
It took I take a year to mess together, and
everybody came back with the right attitude, Hey, this is
what we need to do for the next step. And
you had he had everybody accountable. You know, you're saying, hey,
on the off season, we need to be around, we
need to be here, we need we need no excuses.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
And you say, he meaning coach Capers, Oh yes, right,
And in many ways I saw, I'm we're gonna touch
on him last year. One of the first functions that
we held and we had y'all back in the building
there in a training camp practice back together Saturday and
got to see you coach Cavers Carlton Bailey embraced on
(30:10):
the field and I got a picture of it. I
think I might have sent it to you if I
did not need to. And it was just like, man,
that's been many years coming. Yes, it's been many years coming, right,
And those bonds that last and the connection that was
just immediately I'm like, oh, yeah, these are guys they
started this thing together when the stadium first opened its doors. Right,
(30:31):
And so in many ways, that second year was probably
felt like the first year, yes, because you had a
full season together. You're walking into a brand new stadium
together something right, Yes, you know, I'm sure you remember
the emotions that probably you know, added a little bit
of juice on top of everything.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
Yes. Matter of fact, Billy Graham had his.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Ministry.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Yes, and he blessed the stadium. And that whole year
we won every home game.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Wow about that one. Graham, come on backing us exactly.
We keep him rest, you know, him blessing over.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Yes, that's a his historical moment to have such a figure, yes,
And and you know and Christianity, yes, and being able
to have that I'm telling you, Bro yes, we gotta
get God back in it.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
Oh my goodness. Mike Bunkley, Yes, oh, don't say to
his name, Okay, Mike Bunkley is a guy that my
rookie year. He kept us tapped in and always like
being present and you know, talk to me about the
(31:57):
you know the importance of having that of guidance, you know,
as far as someone that you can look up to,
that you know that is that are doing the right things.
Because it seemed like to me you would have been
one of those guys that I would have gone to
for advice, you know, to ask questions to, you know,
help me, you know, get out of a funk.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
I made some calls now that he was that guy.
I talked to some cash now they said. I said, hey, man,
I got I got I got him on the podcast today.
Got Stony coming in. I said, give me some stories,
said man, I called. I called Brinson Buckner. He said, JK,
I don't got no stories. Stony came to work every day,
(32:38):
did his job and went home. He said, man, you
just he was the example. Wow, kept it straight. Now
he did tell me this, Wait, I.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Know what's going down.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
Go ahead, and we're gonna get into it, you know what,
Still answer his question first, because I want to get
into this question I had, I had to.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
I was really just gonna ask like the importance of
having guys like yourself. It sounds like the importance of
having that, you know, as a cornerstone to keep everything
on the straight and narrow. Oh.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
Yes, it's something that when you're going somewhere and you
wonder if you're gonna fit in, because you know, if
you're reading the Bible or people don't get your funny,
you know you're doing it for the right reasons. And
every day I'll be in my Bible. I get in there,
come in after breakfast. We had fruit loops and milk.
We didn't have what y'all have now. We had, man,
(33:37):
we had turkey bacon. Turkey bacon. Man.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
You don't even want to know how somebody pull up
the menu. We have a menu. I go by there now,
I mean, I'm thinking situation stars. I'll see.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
I'm gonna get back on what I was talking about.
But yes, I love y'all cafeteria. But a lot of
bro was like mean Willie and Mark Carrier was always
in the Bible. We was outspoken about it. We share
the word. And we had like little Bible meetings, you know,
with the with the players and everything, and it got
(34:13):
to be where people start saying, like, Okay, maybe I
see maybe I should start doing what He's doing and
not not. I ap preached the word of God in
a subtle way. I wasn't always driving it down your throat.
I wan't you know, saying you know exactly, you.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
Know, I said, hey, man, did you did you read
your day sip out daily bread?
Speaker 2 (34:31):
You know?
Speaker 3 (34:31):
I said, you ain't got to read? And I just say, yes, yes,
just take a peep in there.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
And I think a lot of guys, you know, not
saying because men called Jesus Christ, you know, started turning
to Jesus and they realized that the burden that they
was carrying, Jesus coun lighten it and they started getting
into it. And even to this day, I talked to
some guy. He said, ston, you don't remember this right here.
I appreciate you giving me that Bible or you keep
my daily bread. He said, oh, you know, I can't
(34:57):
thank you enough, you know, for what you did. But yeah,
the word of God having Jesus, and if you do
it humbly, you know it'd be amazed how people change.
But there are some people you got to beat across
the head with the Bible and a couple of knucklehead
So so.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
This is the reason why, as we know, when you
wrapped up the career, you stayed right here in Charlotte,
North Carolina and became uh CMPD Yes, sir, joined Meckhamber
County Police. Yes, and you served for how many years?
Fifteen years? Wow, right right here, and this became home
to you. And in doing so, Carolina Panthers brought you
(35:40):
in to speak to the players.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
Yes they did.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
And so as the story goes, come on, man, okay,
you know, turn over some stones, find.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
Something, watch your watch.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
So we bring in one of our own come talk
to the play and you know, as a player, you're
probably sitting in that team auditorium. Man, yeah, we got
one of our own's gonna look out for us. Man,
get us out. The brother looked at the crowd and
look that the team and said, I'll be the first
one to arrest your buck said, the whole team wanted
(36:20):
to jump on your head.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
You know that's a skit.
Speaker 1 (36:24):
I want your side of the story. You want your
side of the story you walked in there and.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
What I walked in.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
You know, I explained to the guys, Hey, you know,
this is what's going on. I'm in law enforcement and
sometimes you got to put the fear of God or
some people. You started telling them that you're gonna use
the Lord. You know, you can be the brother in law.
They're like, hey, Stone, put me over, man, you know
I'm cool. Yeah, yeah, you're gonna learn. Somebody gotta teach you.
(36:51):
You know, you gotta learn sooner or later. If I
don't teach you, who is gonna teach you?
Speaker 1 (36:55):
Right?
Speaker 3 (36:56):
And they heard that and like, oh, Stone, what are
you talking about?
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Like okay, calm down, calm down. And after I got off,
let me explain myself better. I said, I will pull
you over, but I will talk to it, educate you.
And I said, I'll reach out to Jing Brown who
Jane was the head of security and my guy. I said,
I bring it to his attention that he need to address.
Speaker 3 (37:19):
That's what you are. I said, well, I'm not gonna
do y'all like at the end, but.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Yeah, if I had to say that to get their attention,
you know, I love it that way. You know, they're
listening to love it, but they listener.
Speaker 3 (37:29):
You know what that though, that's your character though iron
sharpens iron. Right, I see you eating poison. I ain't
gonna just continue to let you eat. That's right, right,
I'm gonna let you know. I'm gonna read the label.
I'm gonna read the label on the back, and that
poison says, Hey, look, you can't drink these peach crush
drinks because it got seventy sugar in it.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Yes, man, man, I loved it. He whatever message you
drove it home because he still remember to this day.
Who was that who told you that Buckner was listening?
Was listening?
Speaker 3 (38:07):
Shout out to buck Man, We love him? Why did
you stay in Carolina? Out of all the places? And man,
check this out. Y'all gonna think I'm crazy, but this
how the Lord works. My wife is from right outside
of Youngstown, which is called Bordman Borman, Ohio. And I
live in Florilla. The drive from if we left at
(38:29):
the same time and I drove to where I lived,
she drove to where she lived there, It's like think
of like a five mile.
Speaker 2 (38:38):
Differential and drive. You know, we said when said we
want to go somewhere where the middle point was. So
you know, and it's here's it?
Speaker 3 (38:47):
That is that crazy?
Speaker 2 (38:49):
I said, I said, let's you see how many miles
on that it showed it? I said, no way, let
me try to get But did you wrap quest that? Yes,
that is crazy.
Speaker 3 (38:58):
I looked at her.
Speaker 1 (38:59):
I said, wait, the map or like the paper map?
Did you as a ruler on the map? I knew
it it? No, I love that. Man, that's really awesome. Yes, absolutely, man.
And you raise your family here, man, and you bring
your daughters, you bring your wife to the games, you
(39:21):
bring him to the charity functions. Man, You're very intentional
about everything you do. And we're lucky to have you
in the community. Truly, truly. You know, last week I
was able to say this about Eugenie Robinson and you know,
as one of the guys. When I first arrived, just name,
you could tell he was an infectious individual. And they
(39:42):
said the same about you. They gave me a little
bit of a warning first, but it said the same
about you. No, in all seriousness, like you have an
influence amongst this Legens community and so lucky to have
you here. I know you might have played a little
bit longer out in Pittsburgh. Man, but we we certainly
glad you're here in Charlotte. Sure, man, that is for sure.
(40:05):
Uh I got a question too. So so you finished
up with the New York Jets. Sure, it's all full
of this is this is, this is when you've been
in the league a long time. Now, you got Bernie Parmally,
You didn't cross paths with BP. That's my boy who
is currently running bas coach here now, No he's not.
You didn't know.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
When did this happen?
Speaker 1 (40:28):
BP join us this year? No way, I'm gonna take you.
Say I brought you up. I figured that you hadn't
that you didn't know this, so wow, BP is here
in the building. Yeah man, so so so how did
I not know that? So? Now that was in two thousand,
you guys were up there. Now, you guys had to
both being on the end because BP played with my
(40:49):
pops in Miami, so I know he got to bet
both of you in the back end of your careers
right there. So y'all were probably just backwards caps, shooting gum,
spinning some flowers.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
So yes, sir, yes, sir, that's sometimes to see.
Speaker 1 (41:03):
What was the experienced like in New York.
Speaker 3 (41:05):
Uh, New York was a first of all.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
When you went up there, I had Coach Parcel as
my coach. He was an old school coach, like coach No.
He always spoke his mind. You never had to think,
you know what, like what did I fit in with
the coach? So when I got there and me and
him was just walking to the practice field, just talking,
(41:29):
he said, how was coaching? No, he knew the good phrase,
how was kper was talking? So this young kid come
walking right by us, I mean young had to be
a rookie. And he said, look at him. You know,
I said, he I don't even know what looking at him?
You know, look at him, he said, Dad, he looked
at He said, yes, coach, coach.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
He he minded his own business. That's what I mean.
Speaker 2 (41:53):
People need to mind their own business like me and
you was doing right now. And the poor kid probably
can like, Okay, his whole practice is.
Speaker 3 (42:02):
Going to come. He got me thinking, I'm like what
he mean by that game? You ain't playing my game? Yeah,
he used to do that all the time. And I
mean with him and the Jets class act.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
I went there, you know, I did a lot, you know,
charity function up there by man that they were a
class acts. Their class act. I mean, each each team
was very class I mean that's how you carry yourself
and what you do.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
I had a bless bron I think when Curtis Martin retired.
Oh yeah, oh man, I played with Curtis. You played
with yea New York.
Speaker 1 (42:36):
Curtis had to be I'm thinking probably around to late
two thousands, maybe around because he came in. Curtis came
in the league probably around ninety six May.
Speaker 3 (42:49):
Probably before Damian Thomlinson went up there afterwards.
Speaker 1 (42:55):
Maybe around that time right there. That's right.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
I raised him Churtis Martin and Pittsburgh. He wasn't that fast,
but he was bad. He he made every move count.
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
He was one of one of the most efficient runners. Yes, yes,
did not waste to tell. I mean he was a
hard worker. I remember him in college. I was playing
for the Steelers, and then when I saw him at
the Jets, I said, punk, I remember you.
Speaker 3 (43:22):
I mean he had a good relationship. He was funny.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
You would never know that if you didn't joke around
with him, you know, and a great guy, class act.
Speaker 3 (43:33):
I mean like if he asked him to do something
he can go beyond what you tell him, act him
to do my rookie year, I got a chance to
get on the phone with him. Wow, and you know,
he gave me some advice care with me to this day.
He said, don't chase provision. Let provision chase you.
Speaker 1 (43:53):
I was like, WHOA.
Speaker 3 (43:55):
I was like, man, what does provision mean? So I looked,
I acted like I knew what it was. I went
and googled it. I was like, okay, like money, whatever
it is. And from that day, Bro, I really took
that around with it, and basically it's the going it's
(44:17):
the saying of you know, your body's your briefcase, right, like,
just take care of business and you know the business
will come and anything else that you want to do
really like it. It will. You know, it would show
up at your you know, your doorstep. It's up to
you to open the door.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (44:34):
You know what I'm saying. So, but I just had
to throw that in there because Curtis Martin is one
of my favorites man, and he actually came to talk
to us with the team. I'm trying to think, like
two thousand and thirteen, twelve, twenty twelve, twenty thirteen, and
you know, really gave his story and just kind of,
(44:55):
you know, just thinking outside of the box as far
as this opportunity that you have, which was take care
of your business and business will be there.
Speaker 1 (45:06):
He is, you said it. He's a consummate professional. See
Curtis often he's always with He's very involved in legs community,
certainly up there in New York, always with Roger Goodell
and perl Man. He's very very active president.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
He said, got that pretty hair? Yeah, yeah, curly Now
I told him you got a jerk curl.
Speaker 2 (45:31):
My hair?
Speaker 3 (45:32):
Well, actually he actually shaved it down. He got here,
he got the low cutting down. Okay, okay, watching hairlines
there still.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
Yeah, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (45:40):
While y'all looking at my I'm saying, y'all, I ain't
got the hat on.
Speaker 3 (45:45):
They told me put the hat on. I'm not high
in my head.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (45:50):
Man.
Speaker 1 (45:51):
Look, Dwight, what what if we look back at your
your time as a as a player, being so versatile,
being so unique, what really, what do you think your
separator was? What was your superpower? What distinguished you from
the other guys and allowed you to play fourteen years
in the league.
Speaker 2 (46:11):
Uh, Jesus Christ. I mean each day I ask for
a certain things. If I don't go out there and
work toward it, why am I praying? You know, Jesus
gonna give you.
Speaker 3 (46:23):
You got to put in.
Speaker 2 (46:25):
You can't be always asking for something. You got to
go out there and show that you're serious about it.
You know, you can talk all the talk if you're
not that putting their time in and the effort in.
That's why I said I ran at one o'clock I
got in the morning, you know, I ran it to
whatever time I can get up watching a television. It's
that I asked you for all this, but I'm not
putting forth the right effort. Why am I acting?
Speaker 3 (46:47):
Jesus? Why would he waste his time on me?
Speaker 2 (46:50):
You know?
Speaker 3 (46:51):
So how didn't want to disappoint.
Speaker 1 (46:53):
Jesus Life lessons? No, take heed.
Speaker 3 (46:56):
I love that man.
Speaker 1 (46:57):
It seems to be a theme, right, guys that we've
had over the show. Uh, it's bigger purpose, Yeah, I
mean I think it's it's it's good when you see
a foundation that's consistency, going back to culture, culture that
exists here and guys that have played here all right,
so you're you're whether it's scouting, recruiting, building the right men,
(47:19):
and this building is great, right, yes, so it's bigger.
Speaker 3 (47:24):
I got something before we go the No, this is
this is like Jonathan Brooks, Carolina panther running back, just
got drafted from Texas. Oh yeah, this year he had
he had.
Speaker 1 (47:40):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (47:41):
News came out yesterday that he tore his a c
l again. If he were to be hearing this, what
advice would you be giving him?
Speaker 2 (47:55):
Uh? First of all, you know, God, things doesn't happen
by coincident. There's a reason why it happened, you know.
But the main thing is believe in yourself, believe in
Jesus Christ, and put forth the effort. If that's the past,
Jesus want you to go down, He'll make it sing.
But whatever you do, don't ever say, you know, I
(48:16):
give up. And I can tell by the young man
he's the type that's gonna say give up, you know,
And I know he's gonna go out there. The main
thing is take it one day at a time, you know,
don't lose the faith with Jesus. There's a reason why
things happen. And we may think that, you know, Jesus
is mad at me. You know, sometimes you just does
it for it to open a bar door for you.
(48:38):
You know, you may come back, you may set every
record that's possible. But the main thing is, you know,
don't get down on yourself because you work. I mean
from what I hear this young man work. It's behind it,
you know, and you wonder how certain thing like that happen.
You got some guys who, like himself, bust is behind
You got some guys who could care less and they're
(49:00):
they're still in it and nothing happening to them.
Speaker 3 (49:03):
How is that possible?
Speaker 2 (49:04):
You know?
Speaker 1 (49:04):
Why?
Speaker 3 (49:04):
Why is that?
Speaker 2 (49:05):
When you said, why is God rewarding that person? You know,
why why is he punishing me? But at the end
of the day, God, God has a recent why he
does everything, And I don't question it. The Lord now
asked to God questions, but I never questioned it.
Speaker 1 (49:20):
The young man special, you gotta we got a glimpse
a glimpse of yes, you know, so freaky. Wishing him
all the best speedy recovery.
Speaker 3 (49:31):
That's a message for all the young guys, every guy, everybody.
You know what I'm saying. You know you're gonna have
some struggles. You're gonna have some tough time, yes, And
you gotta have the mentality and the willingness that's right,
you know.
Speaker 1 (49:43):
The check back in that's right. I think it's a
great message where we're at right and think about the team.
We're excited. I mean it's it's you know, look, no one,
no one in this building believes in more victorious. But
when you watch the tape, yes, you get excited.
Speaker 2 (50:00):
Do right.
Speaker 1 (50:00):
And we all know the process that it takes to
learn how to win, the process to execute right now.
You know, maybe it is who you are, it's who
we are. But we're there like there's something changes, something
turn away. That's it and so and that's all it is.
And once that, once that tide turns, it's gonna be good.
(50:21):
Have a shirt, it's gonna be good.
Speaker 3 (50:22):
To be on the right side over here trying to
get them late tickets.
Speaker 1 (50:25):
Right right, you.
Speaker 3 (50:29):
Know you know how they are, y'all saying the right thing.
Speaker 1 (50:33):
That's right. Man, you've been you've been around for it.
Both you guys have been around for it right here,
Charlotte and and and we've all seen it in ball.
And it only takes a couple of players to watch.
You know, a dynasty be built, so we'll believe for that.
Good believe for that Dwhy Stone ladies and gentlemen, Fortune
Year NFL at former Carolina Panther. We appreciate you joining
(50:54):
us today. Jonathan Stewart, a co host, signing off like
click subscribe, stealing the crew. We'll see you next week.
Speaker 3 (51:06):
M mm hmm
We're the thirteenth pick in the two thousand and eight
NFL drafts. Karen Lanson hand there select Jonathan Stewart gets
to Stewart, he leaves touched up.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Stewart oh rough tough right, angry man out at elbows, knees.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Stewart hesitates, accelerates. That's what I'm talking about. Fit the
spass ball football.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Conathan Stuart got running around.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Stewart jump over a tackler at the tent, flows up,
lawers his shoulder, keeps running.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
No one will touch him. Jonathan Stewart house is up.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
You talk about.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Explosive plays at the run game. It's like the fourth
of July around here.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Right now you are listening to Stu and the crew,
Now to Jonathan Stewart's and Jeremy Kelly. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.
We're excited for our show today, joined by my co host,
Panthers all time leader Russia, Jonathan Stewart, the one and
(00:50):
only the white Stone. Stoney did we didn't even get.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Into white Stone, Ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
The white Stone.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
The right around your lip, y'all are not gonna set
me up.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
I had now, Look, we just matched the energy man. Okay,
we are joined by fourteen year NFL veteran to white Stone,
former Carolina panther Man. It's great to have you on
the show.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Man, Hey, I appreciate your love.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
You know, I appreciate y'all having me here, and hopefully
this will go great.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Hopefully, Yes, it's gonna Okay, Man, it's gone. Look, I
don't think I've ever been around you and something didn't
work out. You get it done, Dwight. You've ever done
a podcast? Oh yeah, I did quite a few. Yeah, yes,
but I'm not always believing being behind the scene. That's
a bold face. Look be on the streets.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I mean, it's a certain behind the scene. I call
behind the scene.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Okay, you know like you two.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
I have y'all podcast.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
That's right. Well, look I'm gonna get into it because
I'm gonna go back. We want to recap. We always
like to give a leettle intro for our guests. And
as I mentioned, fourteen in your NFL career, Man, you
as an undrafted free agent. Yes, hats off, Yeah, hats
off always always, Uh, you can't man, fourteen, Let's.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Pay homage College Mittle Middle Tennessee, Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
The.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
State undrafted. Yes, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chuck
Nolan nineteen eighty seven. Strike here man, Yes, you know,
as they might call it, you know, the scabs. But
I ain't gonna put that on you now because you
don't get you can't be a scab and was fourteen
So but but but you had an interesting experience enter
in the NFL. I'm sure teammates like John Stalworth. Oh, yes,
(02:39):
the one and only Donnie Shell. Yes, yes, yes, legend
in the area. Charlotte still around.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yes, so he hitting like that? Oh yes, I uhould
be his punching back.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
No, you gotta get into that. We're gonna get into
Dwight Stone spent his first eight seasons with the Pittsburgh
Steelers from eighty seven to ninety four. We do know that,
before signing with the expansion team, the Carolina Panthers in
nineteen ninety five, staying here to nineteen ninety eight. So
you had a good four seasons with us, man, you
got to start it, love it before you went on
(03:10):
to finish with the New york Yests. Yes, that's right,
that's right man. You've had a I mean a lot
of legendary teammates throughout that time. We're gonna break into it, man,
But look it's the second time of the week id
and got to see you now.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Aren't you? Blessed? Was the first time? What was the
first time? What you was doing was trying to figure
it that first time? I don't remember, I.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Don't remember hold on that. But but you also so
you just went up Okay, let me let me back
up here too, because this is we want to get
serious for a second, because we all just went up
to Ashville. Okay, yeah, we all volunteered to spend some
time on the stony you one today after we went.
But I saw, I saw the highlights of Matt. I
need you to pull this clip in because this brother
(03:52):
still got some juice you When we went to Ashville
Elementary School, yes, and brought the brought the energy for
the children, and when they introduced you, still we his
brother hit the high knees over the bags like I
don't know. He might have had some more puns than
you did though when he came down that when he
came down that riley Field's blue carpet.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Uh yeah, I did have knees to the chest.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Still got it pay for it the next day though
we all do we.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
All do you gotta pull that clip? You had some
juice still, man, No, in all seriousness, and we all
drove through Ashville. I saw what is still there, saw
what these people are dealing with, you know, the wreckage
and just the turmoil, the trees that hurricane brought up businesses.
(04:42):
But to see the joy in the kid faced man
and the children, the teachers, the parents give our gifts
towards clothes. What was the experience for you?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
It was one of those you said on television, but
you don't really know how it really is, how it's
gonna affect you and what you're gonna see. When I
got there, it actually looked like a like it was
a war, you know, you see that wore the battleground everything.
And it was just amazing on how they accepted us
(05:11):
when we got there. The kids were very respectful, very thankful,
and just the whole time there it was great.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
You almost just for those few hours. Yes, right, you
can see like they just get to forget about everything else, right, Yes,
And I think it's a special position that we're in
to be able to do so. And kudos to our community.
Relations Department, to Dave and Nicole and everybody that has
(05:42):
a hand, and and certainly to you guys as legends.
I mean, Jonathan came out, Kenny Moore came out, and
Charlotte Native you know, wake Forest Alump. So this is
his home, through and through. You made some time for us, man,
So we don't take that lightly, Okay, apprecreciate making the
time coming to that.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Man.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Sure, that's a huge impact. It's awesome to be able
to make an impact on kids when things are going well,
you know what I'm saying, like throwing cams and whatnot.
But when you show up on someone's doorstep when things
are going bad, that's love. You know what I'm saying.
Loved to me, the definition of love is showing up
there you go, you know what I'm saying, Like you
(06:23):
can say all day long, but when you show up
and you're just you're just there in the presence through
the struggle and just kind of giving some sense of
like not alone. That that's what this was all about.
And that's what I felt. On the receiving end. I'm
going to go give, but I'm receiving something, you know
(06:44):
what I'm saying. And that's the beauty of showing up,
you know, for people when they're in need. And it's
not just the kids, it's the teachers. Think about that.
You know, they got a lot on their plate. They
got families that they're providing for, you know, not just financially,
but you know, being there mentally, spiritually, uh and guiding
(07:05):
the ship that that they're responsible for and having to
show up and you know, put smiles on, yes, and
make these kids at school feel comfortable, not knowing you know,
how their kids are feeling at home or wherever they
are at school.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
And in many ways they you know, probably feeling that
they're their own kids, treating them as wrong kids, right,
you know, seeing some kids might come in with not
not proper clothing and it's wintertime and you know, you could,
you know, we could see some of those things. Right.
So it's a humbling and and a it kind of
just brings you back to round level reality perspective right
(07:46):
before the holidays.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Man.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
So yeah, yeah, and we are we are going to
be serving again next week Tuesday, December seventeenth, right here
at Bank of America Stadium, and you once again are
showing up.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Man.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
So yes, Man, show up the brothers. What your brother
does though, and he did the same in his career.
He did the same in his career. Man, So we're
gonna we're gonna talk about it. Okay, we're gonna talk
about it because you were the ultimate Swiss army knife.
You know, we talk about running backs kind of doing
it all. Man, they had you a running back, kick
return to pump, return your receiver wide out. They didn't
(08:19):
know what number there is gonna give you the truth
just showed up.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I just want to know if y'all, y'all, if y'all
can't see this, but I'm sitting next to this man,
his forearms just as big as mind been breaking bricks
and for I take pride in having big four arms.
And right now I feel like I gotta call you
like Pops or something, because like we like, ain't they look?
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Man, look tell us because I want to go back,
because you don't just you know, you don't just wake
up like that, man so so born and raised. Tell
us about your upbringing.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
I grew up in our place called Florilla, Alabama spelled
fl o r a l A. It's on the borderline
of Alabama and Florida. You see FLA for Florida. But
it was like this, I guess, like the panhandle Florida
down by pencil cola over there, single mom, uh, next
to the youngest, four brothers, two sisters. Mom work day
(09:20):
and night, you know. And that's the one thing I
must say. Everything that I accomplished wasn't from my drive.
It's from from my mom drive.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Moving.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But yes, and uh, just watching her go to work,
not complain, not do things for herself. And I remember
we grew up, we grew up in the projects. And
I'm thinking like, if you don't know any better, if
you got friends, you do the same thing. Then we
start looking at uh, my mom and I'm looking at
her paycheck one time somehow I don't know if she'd
(09:48):
let it down.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
I just looked at her. I said, how in.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
The world are you doing what you're doing with what
you're making? But you know, through the grace of God,
God put you do certain things. And the people that
we had is how you treat people, how things are
open for you. And just by watching her and how
she carried herself made me do like playing football joy
(10:12):
and made it easier for me.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Was there someone you know, an adult you know a
family member or a friend's parent that showed up in
ways that like got you through your childhood. Because I
know for me, I grew up in a single parent
And I tell people all the time, if it wasn't
for God sending the Jed Angels into my life, yes,
(10:35):
like I wouldn't be where I am.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Okay, okay, yes, back we had I had a coach
called Coach Lancaster. He was in middle school, didn't even
up transfer into high school. His named George Lancaster. He
had his wife taught English, he had two sons, but
he was always there. I mean he was a basketball coach,
he was a football coach, and he.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Was always there.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
He gave us a ride to practice, you know, away
from practice. Because I grew up we didn't even have
a car. I made like to have a car. He
think that's something that every family would have. We didn't
have a car. As a matter of fact, my mom
didn't know it, didn't have her license. But one thing
that the Lord did bless me. After my first year,
(11:19):
I said, Mom, I think she was like fifty three.
I said, if you learn how to drive, I buy
your car.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
I be doing.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
She learned how to drive, and she learned how to drive.
I ended up driving a car from Pittsburgh and to
Florilla and giving it to her. You know, I said, Mom,
I can't repay you. You know, all your blessings you
have done for me and my brothers and sisters. I said, God,
You're god giving. And I said, everything I do, I
do because I remember seeing you coming in and going
(11:48):
to work. And so I said, so what I'm doing
is it's nothing.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
That's gotta be a great feeling, no question, Yeah it is.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
You know.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
So that was your first year in Pittsburgh, Yes, my
first year, and so as mentioned, you know, rookie in
nineteen eighty seven, strike year and you're creating to it
coming into ooh check you out look at him.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Look, hey man, your history major. It's just one of
the random things. But I was also born in eighty seven.
Looks I knew because I was born in nineteen eighty
So what you got jokes? Jo, Like, I know my year.
I know a lot of things about my mind. I
know I heard it. But Eugenie, you said you were
(12:33):
yeah you.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Will, I wasn't born yet.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Yeah, it was just okay, just what is where it started?
Turning right here with you.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Look. So look I was actually I was eighty eight.
I was eight, so I wasn't far behind. But but
as mentioned Chi Chuck, no head coach, legendary coach. So
I want to know, you know as you walk into
the meeting rooms in nineteen eighty seven, right, because we
have a lot of young you know, more recent legends
that come on the show. But I like to get.
We like to dig a little deeper. Man, We gotta get.
(13:02):
We like to get. You were on the inaugural roster, yes,
but but digging back, getting it the history of the game,
and we talk about how the experiences have changed from
now till then. Right for Benningford worst whatever it may be, exactly,
but walking into a uh uh as an undrafted free agent,
chuck nole, like I said, the John Stalwarts of the world, yes, right,
you know, and the Donnie Shills. What was your first
(13:25):
earliest NFL memories, even up in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Oh well we had three of days, three days.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Yes, he went into the pain first. Law, he went
to the pain first.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
What was what could you possibly do? And I have
no idea I still did to today. I still don't
know what the heck we was doing. I know, we
didn't rest though. It's like three of days, and I
remember my first time there. I don't think I'm big time.
I'm getting off the plane. They have like a little shudder,
a little shuttle. You know, you get on it. You
(13:58):
got see other players getting known it.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
You in the latrobe. I didn't know them, they didn't
know me, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
So we end up getting there and so on the
first day it was like testa day where you run
around the track, went on the track, around the field
five times. Each time you're timed. You know how fast
you're going, check your pulse and everything. So we start
So the first two, you know, I'm with the crowd.
(14:25):
First three, I'm with the crowd. Four with the crowd,
I said, man, they going too slow for me. Oh
so I took off and I probably in God and God,
you know, I'm my lines, probably probably meat everybody about
twenty seconds.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Good lord. So, uh, the veterans come back.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
The vectors come in like a week later, and so
the last time the fear for one coach knows say
he told Calvin Sweeney, Hey, he's gonna take off.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
I want you to run with him, you know, he's
gonna do it now. So we took off.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
And I took off like I did, and he came
with me and he's like, I witch you now, so
you're ready to run now? Oh so yeah, about a
halfway and it probably beat him about ten fifteen yards
and he got there. He said, Coach, I don't know
what this guy got in him, but I couldn't stay
with him, you know. It was just a matter of
me training. I used to train twenty four to seven.
(15:19):
I used to get up at night at one o'clock
and run. Yes, I used to do crazy workout.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
What was the driving force behind now kidding up at
one o'clock in the morning.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Cost What's the old saying is you only can push yourself,
you know, mentally, no matter what they had out there.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
I used to get up at one. I used to
get up at six. Sometime.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
I do like three workouts in one day. I used
to go when I was back in school, carry.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
A sheet rock. If you ever carry a sheeting, you
want to become a man, you carry a sheet rock. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
And I used to work out before I went to work,
and I work out after I went to work because
I said, if I'm being the best conditioned athlete, you know, myself.
Then they could not be noticed, and thank god I
was noticed by that.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
So you run a four to two, you runn a
four to two forty. I'm gonna tell you, hey, y'all,
y'all gonna laugh at this. I was time I went
to I flew as a free agent. You know, I
wasn't drafted. So after the draft, they'll fly your different teams.
So I went to visit Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I went out there and they said, hey, you know,
we want to time you in the forty. We want
to see how many time you do twenty two, twenty
five and everything. So I did two, twenty five, I
did it thirty times, and then and then and twenty eight.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Yes, oh you did, and yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
He said that's cute.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
And so what they did was they said they're gonna
time you. So they had three guys line up at
the forty and they put me at the goal line.
They said, hey, move on your movement. I said okay.
So I took off and right I got the plane.
It was like maybe an hour I got the plane,
I did the workout. So this get you in and
get you out, so straight off. Then then I then
(17:04):
I ran the forty. They looked at the clock, they
looked at me. They looked at each other, like three.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I was like, dang.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
I said, hey, I'm a little slow now. I just
got off the plane, you know, I said, So I apologize,
you know.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
And they take you go running again. Hey boy, we
need you to do that again.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
So that they did it again. They said, what do
you think you ran? They said, people are not gonna
believe us when we tell them this. I said, I said,
y'all tell me. I said, I'm kind of slow. I said,
I fell slow today. I apologize, you know. They said, no,
they said, and people are not gonna believe this. They said,
I was I was time at four one five, four
(17:46):
one six in a four one six. They said, people
will not believe this. But that they said, we witness it, yep.
And they asked me because I just left the Steelers
cause I chose I chose the Steelers because I saw
a picture of the Pittsburgh on the side of the road.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
That's why I chose Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
But when I was uh in Kansas City, they said,
what did the sticks offer? You said, whatever they offer you,
we give you more.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
I said, nah.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
But I prayed about it, and I saw that picture
and that's why I want to picture.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Saw a picture on the road that told you to Pittsburgh.
That's awesome. That's the power of prayer. Later, man, foy, look,
let me tell you. Let me break this down for people,
because I don't think they realized this. When you're sitting
on a plane. You flew from where to where I
flew from Nashville to Kansas City. Okay, that's about an
(18:39):
hour and a half. And he probably worked. He was
working out like a dog like during that time. So
you probably got some stiffness here and there that you
got to manage. So he on a plane and he
get off the plane and he knows he going to
go work out. Now, not necessarily sure what that's gonna
look like. Mentally, he's mentally right. So but he shows
(19:02):
up and he just runs a full one six. He says, oh,
sorry about that guy. I'm a little I'm a little slow.
I ain't living up yet. Man, Look I ran a four.
My fastest time ever recorded was a four through five
and it was in college. Man, it got big, you are, yeah,
but to be running full one six, that's a whole
(19:24):
difference to.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Look over here, dope, look over here. I was happy
with four or five. They looked at They looked at
me and said that's good enough. I said, I'm good too.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Who was the fastest person behind Clearly, he was the
fastest person on every team you played. Who was the
fastest person behind you? Well, in the NFL, just on
the team, on a team. I really didn't know. He
didn't care, ladies, because that's how fast he was.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Well.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Ron Wilson for the Steelers, Okay, yeah, he was drafted
in eighty seven.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
Yeah, he grab eighty seven. Yeah, from Purdue. I had
a squad man. He's an athlete.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
You and so from Pittsburgh though, And I'm looking at
my ship. But you do know that, you know you
came here and you spent you spent your four seasons
here in Carolina, Yes, all right, and the expensive team
with the NFL at that time, brought in the Jaguars,
brought in the Panthers, and you guys kick things off
down in Clemson. Yes, right, And you guys have some
(20:25):
you played with the greats, Yes, I did, Sam Mills, right,
you had Wesley, Yes, you had a young mouse Muhammad.
I want you to tell us about a young mouse.
You came in ninety five, but moose comes in two
years later. Yes, if I'm not mistaken, seven tell us
of it. And you were playing wide receiver at this time.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Yes, well, special team, I was yestair.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Coach he was running for by that time. Yes, yes,
and so yeah, you slowed down a little bit too.
H What was what was what was the first and
version of a young mussin straight out of Michigan State.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Well, me and Mark Harrier and will and Willy Green.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
You remember that time when will now, yes, you remember
that time when you saw who was it? Magic Johnson
and Bird talking to each other and they're watching Jordan's Yeah,
that's the same thing move and we're like, man, somebody
positions go.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
I'm not worried about the new sheriff, and she im
like he came in. I'm like, what in the world
is this?
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Jesus big man big I mean just just I mean
I remember him catching the ball across heet, hit by
the linebacker.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I mean, just shake it off, just kept going, I said, Mark,
I said, you and Willie I'm a special tea. Yeah,
I'm telling you you were safe. I was safe.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
I like, I don't know, man, I said, but yeah, man,
me and Mussine She's sitting next to each other, and uh,
and practice, I mean in the meetings, and I've always
write down there. I mean, even if I've seen something
that the coaches went over, I'm still writing it over.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
That's why your memory.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And I always try to know every position that is
possible that I could be playing.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
And so Mussinne was sit next to me. He said,
why you're always writing?
Speaker 2 (22:25):
I said, hey, the more you write it, the less
you have to think, you know. And so Mussin started
doing it. So he told me, he said, I want
to appreciate you. I said, what man? He said, you know,
you're a.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Very class guy.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
You know, you're always taking notes, You're always doing things
even though you knew that you were gonna play.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
But yes, in case you were gonna play, you're prepared.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I said, oh yeah, that's what you gotta do to
be professional here and make it for a long time.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
You have to do the little thing, you know. That's
how That's what I learned from the going goings. Always
did things the right way, always taking notes. Brad Hoover
to yes, just always stand fresh. Stan green. Yeahmer that
you turned red as far as the tomatoes, Yes, he
turn we turned ready. You want to be over with
(23:12):
when we get eating. So but so like Moose, go
back to Moose. What was he? What was what was
young Moose like in the locker room and like because
when I got drafted, Moose was the only man that
was showing up to the locker room in a business
(23:33):
suit with like a briefcase, haircut like shaved, like ready
to go to work after work. He No, that's how
he was.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
Man. He must have changed, tell me about it. He
came in you know, his hair was nappy. You can
say that, Yeah, you can say that, you know, yeah,
I know walking around, you know, I always we had
a warm up suit off if I remember right, Yes,
he'd always come in you know, like here the may
(24:07):
I always come over there, you know, walking around like
he was just stuff.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
But I ain't never seen no business attire. That's something
new to me. He must have took after a lot
of that Dernshire.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Wasn't me because I was wearing warm up suit with
shirt that didn't match. You know, Yes, but yeah, Husin
came in class at I mean he want to work.
We had a coach named Richard Williamson, and boy he
had bomp hey wasn't the word.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
I thought, they're gonna do a knockdown, drag out and you.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Know, I was like, he's a coach, man, he's I said, listen,
young book, I say, at the end of the day,
you get a bad reputation around the NFL. Okay, how
good you are? You gonna be going, you know. But
he started understanding, and the coach started understanding too. You
gotta treat him like a young man. You know, you
can't treat him like a kid. He's a young man
(24:59):
because he jump on your coach. I can't can't get you,
I can't get him off. No, I got too many
years in the league.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Oh yeah, I love it. Man. Well you had you
guys had you know, even at that time, right, you
had a lot of stars. I mean, like I said,
you had John Casey, you had Weston Walls, you had
Sam Mills, right. The leadership on that scene was that,
you know, just Pete Yes. Right. So again I ask you,
what's the difference in coming again You're getting a new
(25:27):
beginning in nineteen ninety five versus coming into the league
in nineteen eighty seven where it's a lot of turmoil
going on in the locker room, a lot of discord.
You got to strike years, guys crossing the line, union
and PA all that stuff. So, I you know, we
didn't really touch on that. But now much different situation,
but it's still very unique in the fact that there's
(25:48):
a lot of vets that are being exported from other teams,
the expansion team coming here to Carolina. Okay, so what
was the what was the vibe was it? Was it
a little bit of egos.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Now, you'd be amazed when every other got here. You know,
we done did all that, you know, running around and
trying to do this. Everybody knew their road. Everybody mature
at the time. You know, hey, if you starting, it's
all good. If you're doing this is all good. At
the end of the day, we're all gonna be playing together.
And that first year when we came here and the
way we took off, I think the people's got shocked,
(26:21):
Like how these guys because egos.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
Loof at the door.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Hey nobody you got say meals there you got a
little mare lathing there. You got like you said, you
got John Casey, you got a lot of guys, Frank Wright,
you got all these guys there, and we always been
through that attitude thing. You know, we got pretty much
got families. Now you know we're gonna do our job. Hey,
let's just help me eat your other out. So everybody
(26:45):
was humble and everybody was glad to play together. Because
you've seen guys some other teams. You're like, I want,
how kind of guy that is? Then once you got
together it all Michigan.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
I love that, Like that is that's what the That's
the Panther way, Yes, it is. That's the absolute Panther way,
the mixture of vets, the mindset that hey, look, egos aside.
I know my role exactly. I know my role, and
I look at the years that we were successful. You
know my ten years here, those years felt exactly how
(27:18):
you just how you just explained it, like all egos
were aside. Yes, if we sensed the ego, we was
punching it in the mouth and getting it out of
the locker room, I'm saying. And because there was no
place for it. You know, there's there's a lot of
guys that are putting their bodies on the line, got
guys getting injured year in and year out, and you know,
(27:41):
to maintain that culture and that that that that vibrancy,
you have to have guys that are in it for
the right reasons. I mean you guys you said you mentioned,
you know, everybody was mature, they had families. I look
at our roster. It was a lot of years where
it was just families. I don't really I don't recall
(28:03):
too often having a roster where there's a lot of
single guys and guys that were just you know, out willing,
nearly doing whatever they want to do. Now you have
like a small group, you know, first two years of
like rookies being on the team, and then eventually certain
guys stay and certain guys go. But they maintained that credibility,
(28:27):
you know when it came to you know, like checking
the ego. Yes, like I know my role and it
makes it easier for coaches, yes, right, knowing that you
can go in to a room and basically tell guys
what to do and how to do it, and now
have to feel like you have to tiptoe around and
you know, protect this guy's ego and not say certain
(28:50):
things to get him that play well on Sunday. I
mean that's awesome, man, that's awesome. Here culture goes back
to when you it goes back to the first season.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
And and and you know, there probably might have been
a scouting tactic behind that, right in terms of how
they were looking at what guys are looking for, you know,
so you know to that point, you guys turned it
around what seven and nine? First year, if I'm not mistaken,
the second year, playoffs the second year, yes, sir, which
is impressive in itself. Yes, right, So what do you
(29:23):
remember from that year?
Speaker 3 (29:25):
It's the same thing. You know, we always knew that
what we could do was just still.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
It took I take a year to mess together, and
everybody came back with the right attitude, Hey, this is
what we need to do for the next step. And
you had he had everybody accountable. You know, you're saying, hey,
on the off season, we need to be around, we
need to be here, we need we need no excuses.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
And you say, he meaning coach Capers, Oh yes, right,
And in many ways I saw, I'm we're gonna touch
on him last year. One of the first functions that
we held and we had y'all back in the building
there in a training camp practice back together Saturday and
got to see you coach Cavers Carlton Bailey embraced on
(30:10):
the field and I got a picture of it. I
think I might have sent it to you if I
did not need to. And it was just like, man,
that's been many years coming. Yes, it's been many years coming, right,
And those bonds that last and the connection that was
just immediately I'm like, oh, yeah, these are guys they
started this thing together when the stadium first opened its doors. Right,
(30:31):
And so in many ways, that second year was probably
felt like the first year, yes, because you had a
full season together. You're walking into a brand new stadium
together something right, Yes, you know, I'm sure you remember
the emotions that probably you know, added a little bit
of juice on top of everything.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
Yes. Matter of fact, Billy Graham had his.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Ministry.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Yes, and he blessed the stadium. And that whole year
we won every home game.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Wow about that one. Graham, come on backing us exactly.
We keep him rest, you know, him blessing over.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Yes, that's a his historical moment to have such a figure, yes,
And and you know and Christianity, yes, and being able
to have that I'm telling you, Bro yes, we gotta
get God back in it.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
Oh my goodness. Mike Bunkley, Yes, oh, don't say to
his name, Okay, Mike Bunkley is a guy that my
rookie year. He kept us tapped in and always like
being present and you know, talk to me about the
(31:57):
you know the importance of having that of guidance, you know,
as far as someone that you can look up to,
that you know that is that are doing the right things.
Because it seemed like to me you would have been
one of those guys that I would have gone to
for advice, you know, to ask questions to, you know,
help me, you know, get out of a funk.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
I made some calls now that he was that guy.
I talked to some cash now they said. I said, hey, man,
I got I got I got him on the podcast today.
Got Stony coming in. I said, give me some stories,
said man, I called. I called Brinson Buckner. He said, JK,
I don't got no stories. Stony came to work every day,
(32:38):
did his job and went home. He said, man, you
just he was the example. Wow, kept it straight. Now
he did tell me this, Wait, I.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Know what's going down.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
Go ahead, and we're gonna get into it, you know what,
Still answer his question first, because I want to get
into this question I had, I had to.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
I was really just gonna ask like the importance of
having guys like yourself. It sounds like the importance of
having that, you know, as a cornerstone to keep everything
on the straight and narrow. Oh.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
Yes, it's something that when you're going somewhere and you
wonder if you're gonna fit in, because you know, if
you're reading the Bible or people don't get your funny,
you know you're doing it for the right reasons. And
every day I'll be in my Bible. I get in there,
come in after breakfast. We had fruit loops and milk.
We didn't have what y'all have now. We had, man,
(33:37):
we had turkey bacon. Turkey bacon. Man.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
You don't even want to know how somebody pull up
the menu. We have a menu. I go by there now,
I mean, I'm thinking situation stars. I'll see.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
I'm gonna get back on what I was talking about.
But yes, I love y'all cafeteria. But a lot of
bro was like mean Willie and Mark Carrier was always
in the Bible. We was outspoken about it. We share
the word. And we had like little Bible meetings, you know,
with the with the players and everything, and it got
(34:13):
to be where people start saying, like, Okay, maybe I
see maybe I should start doing what He's doing and
not not. I ap preached the word of God in
a subtle way. I wasn't always driving it down your throat.
I wan't you know, saying you know exactly, you.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
Know, I said, hey, man, did you did you read
your day sip out daily bread?
Speaker 2 (34:31):
You know?
Speaker 3 (34:31):
I said, you ain't got to read? And I just say, yes, yes,
just take a peep in there.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
And I think a lot of guys, you know, not
saying because men called Jesus Christ, you know, started turning
to Jesus and they realized that the burden that they
was carrying, Jesus coun lighten it and they started getting
into it. And even to this day, I talked to
some guy. He said, ston, you don't remember this right here.
I appreciate you giving me that Bible or you keep
my daily bread. He said, oh, you know, I can't
(34:57):
thank you enough, you know, for what you did. But yeah,
the word of God having Jesus, and if you do
it humbly, you know it'd be amazed how people change.
But there are some people you got to beat across
the head with the Bible and a couple of knucklehead
So so.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
This is the reason why, as we know, when you
wrapped up the career, you stayed right here in Charlotte,
North Carolina and became uh CMPD Yes, sir, joined Meckhamber
County Police. Yes, and you served for how many years?
Fifteen years? Wow, right right here, and this became home
to you. And in doing so, Carolina Panthers brought you
(35:40):
in to speak to the players.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
Yes they did.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
And so as the story goes, come on, man, okay,
you know, turn over some stones, find.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
Something, watch your watch.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
So we bring in one of our own come talk
to the play and you know, as a player, you're
probably sitting in that team auditorium. Man, yeah, we got
one of our own's gonna look out for us. Man,
get us out. The brother looked at the crowd and
look that the team and said, I'll be the first
one to arrest your buck said, the whole team wanted
(36:20):
to jump on your head.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
You know that's a skit.
Speaker 1 (36:24):
I want your side of the story. You want your
side of the story you walked in there and.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
What I walked in.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
You know, I explained to the guys, Hey, you know,
this is what's going on. I'm in law enforcement and
sometimes you got to put the fear of God or
some people. You started telling them that you're gonna use
the Lord. You know, you can be the brother in law.
They're like, hey, Stone, put me over, man, you know
I'm cool. Yeah, yeah, you're gonna learn. Somebody gotta teach you.
(36:51):
You know, you gotta learn sooner or later. If I
don't teach you, who is gonna teach you?
Speaker 1 (36:55):
Right?
Speaker 3 (36:56):
And they heard that and like, oh, Stone, what are
you talking about?
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Like okay, calm down, calm down. And after I got off,
let me explain myself better. I said, I will pull
you over, but I will talk to it, educate you.
And I said, I'll reach out to Jing Brown who
Jane was the head of security and my guy. I said,
I bring it to his attention that he need to address.
Speaker 3 (37:19):
That's what you are. I said, well, I'm not gonna
do y'all like at the end, but.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Yeah, if I had to say that to get their attention,
you know, I love it that way. You know, they're
listening to love it, but they listener.
Speaker 3 (37:29):
You know what that though, that's your character though iron
sharpens iron. Right, I see you eating poison. I ain't
gonna just continue to let you eat. That's right, right,
I'm gonna let you know. I'm gonna read the label.
I'm gonna read the label on the back, and that
poison says, Hey, look, you can't drink these peach crush
drinks because it got seventy sugar in it.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Yes, man, man, I loved it. He whatever message you
drove it home because he still remember to this day.
Who was that who told you that Buckner was listening?
Was listening?
Speaker 3 (38:07):
Shout out to buck Man, We love him? Why did
you stay in Carolina? Out of all the places? And man,
check this out. Y'all gonna think I'm crazy, but this
how the Lord works. My wife is from right outside
of Youngstown, which is called Bordman Borman, Ohio. And I
live in Florilla. The drive from if we left at
(38:29):
the same time and I drove to where I lived,
she drove to where she lived there, It's like think
of like a five mile.
Speaker 2 (38:38):
Differential and drive. You know, we said when said we
want to go somewhere where the middle point was. So
you know, and it's here's it?
Speaker 3 (38:47):
That is that crazy?
Speaker 2 (38:49):
I said, I said, let's you see how many miles
on that it showed it? I said, no way, let
me try to get But did you wrap quest that? Yes,
that is crazy.
Speaker 3 (38:58):
I looked at her.
Speaker 1 (38:59):
I said, wait, the map or like the paper map?
Did you as a ruler on the map? I knew
it it? No, I love that. Man, that's really awesome. Yes, absolutely, man.
And you raise your family here, man, and you bring
your daughters, you bring your wife to the games, you
(39:21):
bring him to the charity functions. Man, You're very intentional
about everything you do. And we're lucky to have you
in the community. Truly, truly. You know, last week I
was able to say this about Eugenie Robinson and you know,
as one of the guys. When I first arrived, just name,
you could tell he was an infectious individual. And they
(39:42):
said the same about you. They gave me a little
bit of a warning first, but it said the same
about you. No, in all seriousness, like you have an
influence amongst this Legens community and so lucky to have
you here. I know you might have played a little
bit longer out in Pittsburgh. Man, but we we certainly
glad you're here in Charlotte. Sure, man, that is for sure.
(40:05):
Uh I got a question too. So so you finished
up with the New York Jets. Sure, it's all full
of this is this is, this is when you've been
in the league a long time. Now, you got Bernie Parmally,
You didn't cross paths with BP. That's my boy who
is currently running bas coach here now, No he's not.
You didn't know.
Speaker 3 (40:26):
When did this happen?
Speaker 1 (40:28):
BP join us this year? No way, I'm gonna take you.
Say I brought you up. I figured that you hadn't
that you didn't know this, so wow, BP is here
in the building. Yeah man, so so so how did
I not know that? So? Now that was in two thousand,
you guys were up there. Now, you guys had to
both being on the end because BP played with my
(40:49):
pops in Miami, so I know he got to bet
both of you in the back end of your careers
right there. So y'all were probably just backwards caps, shooting gum,
spinning some flowers.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
So yes, sir, yes, sir, that's sometimes to see.
Speaker 1 (41:03):
What was the experienced like in New York.
Speaker 3 (41:05):
Uh, New York was a first of all.
Speaker 2 (41:09):
When you went up there, I had Coach Parcel as
my coach. He was an old school coach, like coach No.
He always spoke his mind. You never had to think,
you know what, like what did I fit in with
the coach? So when I got there and me and
him was just walking to the practice field, just talking,
(41:29):
he said, how was coaching? No, he knew the good phrase,
how was kper was talking? So this young kid come
walking right by us, I mean young had to be
a rookie. And he said, look at him. You know,
I said, he I don't even know what looking at him?
You know, look at him, he said, Dad, he looked
at He said, yes, coach, coach.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
He he minded his own business. That's what I mean.
Speaker 2 (41:53):
People need to mind their own business like me and
you was doing right now. And the poor kid probably
can like, Okay, his whole practice is.
Speaker 3 (42:02):
Going to come. He got me thinking, I'm like what
he mean by that game? You ain't playing my game? Yeah,
he used to do that all the time. And I
mean with him and the Jets class act.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
I went there, you know, I did a lot, you know,
charity function up there by man that they were a
class acts. Their class act. I mean, each each team
was very class I mean that's how you carry yourself
and what you do.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
I had a bless bron I think when Curtis Martin retired.
Oh yeah, oh man, I played with Curtis. You played
with yea New York.
Speaker 1 (42:36):
Curtis had to be I'm thinking probably around to late
two thousands, maybe around because he came in. Curtis came
in the league probably around ninety six May.
Speaker 3 (42:49):
Probably before Damian Thomlinson went up there afterwards.
Speaker 1 (42:55):
Maybe around that time right there. That's right.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
I raised him Churtis Martin and Pittsburgh. He wasn't that fast,
but he was bad. He he made every move count.
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
He was one of one of the most efficient runners. Yes, yes,
did not waste to tell. I mean he was a
hard worker. I remember him in college. I was playing
for the Steelers, and then when I saw him at
the Jets, I said, punk, I remember you.
Speaker 3 (43:22):
I mean he had a good relationship. He was funny.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
You would never know that if you didn't joke around
with him, you know, and a great guy, class act.
Speaker 3 (43:33):
I mean like if he asked him to do something
he can go beyond what you tell him, act him
to do my rookie year, I got a chance to
get on the phone with him. Wow, and you know,
he gave me some advice care with me to this day.
He said, don't chase provision. Let provision chase you.
Speaker 1 (43:53):
I was like, WHOA.
Speaker 3 (43:55):
I was like, man, what does provision mean? So I looked,
I acted like I knew what it was. I went
and googled it. I was like, okay, like money, whatever
it is. And from that day, Bro, I really took
that around with it, and basically it's the going it's
(44:17):
the saying of you know, your body's your briefcase, right, like,
just take care of business and you know the business
will come and anything else that you want to do
really like it. It will. You know, it would show
up at your you know, your doorstep. It's up to
you to open the door.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
There you go.
Speaker 3 (44:34):
You know what I'm saying. So, but I just had
to throw that in there because Curtis Martin is one
of my favorites man, and he actually came to talk
to us with the team. I'm trying to think, like
two thousand and thirteen, twelve, twenty twelve, twenty thirteen, and
you know, really gave his story and just kind of,
(44:55):
you know, just thinking outside of the box as far
as this opportunity that you have, which was take care
of your business and business will be there.
Speaker 1 (45:06):
He is, you said it. He's a consummate professional. See
Curtis often he's always with He's very involved in legs community,
certainly up there in New York, always with Roger Goodell
and perl Man. He's very very active president.
Speaker 3 (45:21):
He said, got that pretty hair? Yeah, yeah, curly Now
I told him you got a jerk curl.
Speaker 2 (45:31):
My hair?
Speaker 3 (45:32):
Well, actually he actually shaved it down. He got here,
he got the low cutting down. Okay, okay, watching hairlines
there still.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
Yeah, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (45:40):
While y'all looking at my I'm saying, y'all, I ain't
got the hat on.
Speaker 3 (45:45):
They told me put the hat on. I'm not high
in my head.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (45:50):
Man.
Speaker 1 (45:51):
Look, Dwight, what what if we look back at your
your time as a as a player, being so versatile,
being so unique, what really, what do you think your
separator was? What was your superpower? What distinguished you from
the other guys and allowed you to play fourteen years
in the league.
Speaker 2 (46:11):
Uh, Jesus Christ. I mean each day I ask for
a certain things. If I don't go out there and
work toward it, why am I praying? You know, Jesus
gonna give you.
Speaker 3 (46:23):
You got to put in.
Speaker 2 (46:25):
You can't be always asking for something. You got to
go out there and show that you're serious about it.
You know, you can talk all the talk if you're
not that putting their time in and the effort in.
That's why I said I ran at one o'clock I
got in the morning, you know, I ran it to
whatever time I can get up watching a television. It's
that I asked you for all this, but I'm not
putting forth the right effort. Why am I acting?
Speaker 3 (46:47):
Jesus? Why would he waste his time on me?
Speaker 2 (46:50):
You know?
Speaker 3 (46:51):
So how didn't want to disappoint.
Speaker 1 (46:53):
Jesus Life lessons? No, take heed.
Speaker 3 (46:56):
I love that man.
Speaker 1 (46:57):
It seems to be a theme, right, guys that we've
had over the show. Uh, it's bigger purpose, Yeah, I
mean I think it's it's it's good when you see
a foundation that's consistency, going back to culture, culture that
exists here and guys that have played here all right,
so you're you're whether it's scouting, recruiting, building the right men,
(47:19):
and this building is great, right, yes, so it's bigger.
Speaker 3 (47:24):
I got something before we go the No, this is
this is like Jonathan Brooks, Carolina panther running back, just
got drafted from Texas. Oh yeah, this year he had
he had.
Speaker 1 (47:40):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (47:41):
News came out yesterday that he tore his a c
l again. If he were to be hearing this, what
advice would you be giving him?
Speaker 2 (47:55):
Uh? First of all, you know, God, things doesn't happen
by coincident. There's a reason why it happened, you know.
But the main thing is believe in yourself, believe in
Jesus Christ, and put forth the effort. If that's the past,
Jesus want you to go down, He'll make it sing.
But whatever you do, don't ever say, you know, I
(48:16):
give up. And I can tell by the young man
he's the type that's gonna say give up, you know,
And I know he's gonna go out there. The main
thing is take it one day at a time, you know,
don't lose the faith with Jesus. There's a reason why
things happen. And we may think that, you know, Jesus
is mad at me. You know, sometimes you just does
it for it to open a bar door for you.
(48:38):
You know, you may come back, you may set every
record that's possible. But the main thing is, you know,
don't get down on yourself because you work. I mean
from what I hear this young man work. It's behind it,
you know, and you wonder how certain thing like that happen.
You got some guys who, like himself, bust is behind
You got some guys who could care less and they're
(49:00):
they're still in it and nothing happening to them.
Speaker 3 (49:03):
How is that possible?
Speaker 2 (49:04):
You know?
Speaker 1 (49:04):
Why?
Speaker 3 (49:04):
Why is that?
Speaker 2 (49:05):
When you said, why is God rewarding that person? You know,
why why is he punishing me? But at the end
of the day, God, God has a recent why he
does everything, And I don't question it. The Lord now
asked to God questions, but I never questioned it.
Speaker 1 (49:20):
The young man special, you gotta we got a glimpse
a glimpse of yes, you know, so freaky. Wishing him
all the best speedy recovery.
Speaker 3 (49:31):
That's a message for all the young guys, every guy, everybody.
You know what I'm saying. You know you're gonna have
some struggles. You're gonna have some tough time, yes, And
you gotta have the mentality and the willingness that's right,
you know.
Speaker 1 (49:43):
The check back in that's right. I think it's a
great message where we're at right and think about the team.
We're excited. I mean it's it's you know, look, no one,
no one in this building believes in more victorious. But
when you watch the tape, yes, you get excited.
Speaker 2 (50:00):
Do right.
Speaker 1 (50:00):
And we all know the process that it takes to
learn how to win, the process to execute right now.
You know, maybe it is who you are, it's who
we are. But we're there like there's something changes, something
turn away. That's it and so and that's all it is.
And once that, once that tide turns, it's gonna be good.
(50:21):
Have a shirt, it's gonna be good.
Speaker 3 (50:22):
To be on the right side over here trying to
get them late tickets.
Speaker 1 (50:25):
Right right, you.
Speaker 3 (50:29):
Know you know how they are, y'all saying the right thing.
Speaker 1 (50:33):
That's right. Man, you've been you've been around for it.
Both you guys have been around for it right here,
Charlotte and and and we've all seen it in ball.
And it only takes a couple of players to watch.
You know, a dynasty be built, so we'll believe for that.
Good believe for that Dwhy Stone ladies and gentlemen, Fortune
Year NFL at former Carolina Panther. We appreciate you joining
(50:54):
us today. Jonathan Stewart, a co host, signing off like
click subscribe, stealing the crew. We'll see you next week.
Speaker 3 (51:06):
M mm hmm
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