January 3, 2025 • 17 mins
Celebrate 30 seasons of Carolina Panthers football with Jim Szoke. Join him as he sits down with the key figures who shaped the past 29 seasons, reminiscing on the moments that made Panther's history. This week's guest is former Panthers wide receiver, Armanti Edwards.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
He's known more for what he did at the college
football level than as a Carolina Panther, which he was
from twenty ten to twenty thirteen. But it's hard to
beat what Armani Edwards did in college. He's now a
member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Led Appalachian
State the two national championships. He's a two time Walter
Payton Award winner, and he's our guest.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Today thirty Seasons of Panther Football, a celebration of the players, coaches,
and other key figures who've contributed to the organizational success.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
He's a big name in these parts. Aremani Edwards. Whether
you're an app State fan or your team's played against him.
Carolina Panther draft pick, played in Canada, he's back in Charlotte.
Now we're gonna talk about what he's doing today. A
lot of ground to cover with a guy that was
so good on the football field too. And let's begin
with the fact that now into the College Football Hall
of Fame this month. What a great honor of Moni.
(00:52):
What does that mean to you? After starring at app State,
winning national championships, being the two time Walter Peyton Award winner,
What does it mean to have this national award of
being in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
It's a great deal to me, not on a personal level,
but as far as you know, my time at Amplectial State,
we were considered a small school. It was D one
double A at the time that later transitioned to FCS
and me being the stature that I was in size,
(01:28):
I wasn't the prototypical quarterback per se. So throughout my
entire pretty much football career growing up and in college,
you know, they were always naysayer that, you know, I
couldn't play the position, and you know, to get the
highest honor that you possibly can as a college athlete,
(01:51):
there's nothing else that anybody can say.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That's absolutely true. And it's amazing what you were able
to do what you grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Who else was in the conversation as far as your
college recruitment went, as far as possibilities besides Appalachian State
for you at that time.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
It was pretty much a group of schools in the
in the same conference, which was which was the Southern Conference.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
So I was in talks with Elon.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Georgia. Southern was pretty much my number one option during
this time that most do not know. But during the
when the season was over, their coaching staff got fired.
So that's when app called. I took a visit, and
I fell in love with it. But it was a
majority of small schools. The bigger schools such as like
(02:46):
Clemson Memphis I was in talks with, they were only
looking at.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Me as a receiver or dB.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
So pretty much all these smaller schools were giving me
an opportunity as a quarterback.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
And well, but those was Upstate the most attractive as
far as beyond Georgia, Southern being being that place where
you knew you played college quarterback and not moved a
receiver at that point in.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Your career, I wasn't guaranteed to actually play quarterback state.
So they did sign me and another quarterback in the
area of Coco Hillary, and they gave us the same talk.
It was pretty much, you know, whoever wins the quarterback
(03:29):
job between us two, which we were fighting for a
second string. AF already had a first string at the time.
You know, the other guy was gonna transition to receiver.
So it wasn't as if, you know, they told me
I would be the quarterback. I had to work for
it and fight for it. But they gave me an
opportunity to play quarterback, which other schools outside of Georgia Southern,
(03:53):
Elon and another one.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Or two in the mix wasn't given me. But you know,
it was just the icing on the cake and.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Pretty much the tipping of the iceberg when Georgia Southern
the coaching staff got fired. And the way we played
in high school with a fifty to fifty spread offense,
so I was already familiar with the spread and running
the option. We have to stay was still doing that,
so everything worked out in it fit.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
And as we covered, you know, part of you going
to the College Football Hall of Fame is two times
what we would now call FCS national champions two thousand
and six, two thousand and seven, and you yourself the
Walter Payton Award winner two thousand and eight and two
thousand and nine. So obviously a great college career. And
I think you know, if you live to be one hundred,
you'll be asked to come talking a banquet about two
(04:46):
thousand and seven and beating beating Michigan, and not to
recap the whole story, but you know that's considered to
this day to be one of the all time great
upsets in college football history. And you're a good team
obviously knowing that at that state, but you know, going there,
I think they were ranked number five at that time.
I mean, this is something that's going to be like
(05:06):
part of college football lore forever. You know, what does
it mean to be in such an instrumental part of
what is considered one of the most most amazing victories
in college football ever?
Speaker 3 (05:16):
And it's awesome To keep it short, that could very
well be from what I've been witnessing and experiencing the
start of you know, the bigger schools taking the quote
unquote smaller school series. And although there have been more
(05:39):
upsets after our Michigan defeat, I don't think there's been
any effect, like a major effect of unexpectedness compared to
that game since then. And to be frank that the
game really with applecta state and the town up Boone
(06:03):
on the map, because before then nobody knew where app was.
And ever since then everything gets went up from you know,
attendance to guys wanting to go there to play.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
We're talking at a period of time in December where
recently head coach Sean Clark has been fired. Of course,
you were there for Jerry Moore. Is a lot of that,
just the expectation levels that were set by the great
teams and he's had some good ones during his five
year tenure as head coach there and was part of
Eli Drinkwich's coaching staff prior to that. But the expectations
(06:37):
are pretty high in Boon based on a lot of
what you guys did that you know, something like five
and six just isn't going to sit with the fan
base very long.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Yes, of course that comes with the territory and app
State has been a prestigious program since you know, I know,
since two thousand and five before I got there.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
But even before I.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Got there, there was a time where you know.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
They went undefeated in the regular season.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
There were many years where they competed in deep wake
for US who was a bigger school than them, that
they always played. But I know, since my time leading
up to until you know, three four years ago, we've
always you know, been in contention or winning the conference,
(07:27):
and obviously in the FCS we're playing for championships, making
to the playoffs, and you know, we're in a time
now where everybody wants everything quick and sudden, and that's
the sports world. And unfortunately for coach Clark with the
(07:47):
transfer portal and in i L, it can get hard
to keep up in and compete when you're at a
at a school like after Latian State and you're not
winning is mediocre season compared to what we're looking for.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And of course it's all conjecture. And of course you're
ecstatic that you spent your career at app State that
retired your jersey number. But if you were Armani Edwards
in college today, different worlds. You just mentioned nil and
transfer portal. I mean, I'm sure you would have had
huge offers obviously to move up. I mean, just to
be completely honest, would you've probably not been a four
(08:25):
year player at app State of today's college football world
because of the riches that have been offered to you
by the bigger schools.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
That's that's a very difficult course to answer.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
People that know me. I am not someone that is
money driven.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
I'm somebody that compete at the highest level because of
the bonds that I made. So there's a part of
me that would like to tell you that I would
not have left Aflectic state because of the bond that
I made on the field and.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
In what I was taught growing up.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
When I start something, you know I have to see
it through and me leaving out would it have been
seeing anything through in my aspect. But at the same time,
coming from an.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Area where I came from and not growing.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Up with with money, you know, it's hard to turn
down a certain number if it's presented to you at
the same time. But you know that's a that's a
different difficult question to answer, especially you know ten fifteen
years later.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Sure, I love your answer first of all, but you
also the chance to compete and see how you would
do it at that higher level would have been fun
to see too, But we'll never know the answer. We
love the way it played out as a mountaineer. And
then we go to your pro career. Let's talk some Panthers. Now,
twenty ten, You're drafted in the third round Marty Hernie
John Fox. Were you expecting or surprise to go as
high as the third round of the draft that year?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
According to my agent, that was pretty much an area
where I was going to go anywhere between the third
and fifth round, So it was in the expectations there
wasn't a particular team, you know, at that point in time.
But yes, between the third and fifth round is where
I was told that I should be expecting to go.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
And as I guess, a little bit of misfortune that
you were drafted by a team that was in the
final year of their coaching staff with John Fox, so
things probably didn't, you know, start out the way you wanted.
Then you had Ron Rivera after that, and I guess
you did you have any thought that you might be
have the opportunity to play some quarterback? Obviously it was
more as a slot receiver and a return man as
far as your years in the NFL with the Panthers,
(10:45):
But was there any expectation you might get that shot?
I know, at least in practices and so farth you
had some opportunity there, not as.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Far as being a starting quarterback, but there were expectations
and things told to me about.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
You know, implementing wildcat packages.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
You know, we did work on it sparingly in practices
throughout the years, but you know, I may get one
or two plays, you know, as a quarterback here and
there throughout the years. But yeah, that was as far
as you know, my quarterback future in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Was going to go you you know, went on and
play a little bit with the Browns and the Bears
after that, and we'll talk about the Canadian Football League
in just a minute here. But was that difficult going
for being you know, such a star, premium collegiate player
to being very much a role player in the NFL
as far as you know, I'm sure you had some
expectation that would be the way we'd start, but that
(11:43):
that had to be difficult after being you know, the
guy again you had your jersey retired at your college.
To to not have that that type of a role
in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Knows believe me or not that that wasn't the difficult part.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
I never prayed for or stardom or you know, to
be that guy.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
It just so happened that the work that I put
in and having the great supporting teammates around.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
Me an app that I so happened to become that guy.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
But the difficult part for me was changing position that.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Playing and simple.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You know, I've played quarterbacks since I started playing football
at the age of six.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
That's been my position. It was It was completely second.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Nature to me to now having to start thinking, and
I'm going against the best players in the world.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Now in those two don't mix. When you have to
think and you're going.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Against the best competition, is it's hard to play anything.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
I can imagine, Like you said, just starting a whole
new position at the highest level of that sport was
amazing that you had the accomplishments that you had. What
U when did you start thinking about going to Canada.
You're part of a great Cup champion there. You played
for a couple of different teams in the Canadian Football League.
What was that thought process as you got a little
bit later in your NFL career, decided you want to
(13:09):
keep playing professional football by by going to Canada.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
That thought came because of my wife and our son
we had had in twenty eleven. So I know, my
last opportunity in the NFL was twenty fourteen and back
Bears camp. And after that camp, I was pretty much
hanging up my cleats and being done with football.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
I was no longer in love with the sport.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
I didn't like how, you know, things went in the NFL,
and it was it was not fun for me anymore.
And during that time I did get a call from
a guy named Jim Pop. He was a GM in Montreal,
and again I wasn't loving football anymore, and I told
(13:59):
him no, I was done. Next year twenty fifteen, he
called again and I told him no again.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
But something happened shortly after.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
I can't remember where I was coming from, but I
came home and my mom, not my mom, my wife
was showing our son highlight took to me playing in college,
and you know.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
His eyes just lit up and he gave me.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
That look like you couldn't believe that was me playing.
So it gave me a little spark back. And again
I was I always grew up with the mindset and
I was taught, you know, once I start something, I
have to see it through. And at that time I
had quit. I quit football, so I couldn't and I
(14:47):
didn't want to just leave my.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
Career as it was.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
I didn't have a I didn't have an NFL career
period when you look at the statue. I didn't want
to live the rest of my life knowing, not knowing
whether I could have been a receiver, you know, at
any level. So I got another call from a different
(15:12):
team in twenty sixteen, and I took it, and you
know it was fortunate enough to be a part of
a great cup and have some successful CFO Sea.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
That's awesome. I'm glad you got the chance to extend
your career in front of the family, to have that
opportunity to do that. When I saw you a couple
of months ago, I think the first thing you said
was what you had just moved back to Charlotte somewhat
recently and in the business world now. And I said,
what was your first thing about wanting to move back
to Charlotte. You said the weather, because that had to
be a culture shock for a kid from Greenwood, South Carolina,
(15:44):
spending as much time up in Canada as you did.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Definitely, definitely we get a lot of snow and boom,
but never seen any type of snow like I being
in Captain.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
And tell us about what you're doing now, because I
know you're with the Northwestern Mutual So how is that
going in the financial world And is it like learning
a new position in the NFL, learning a new position
in your career.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Yes, I'm at Northwesternmutual and the financial industry now, and
yes it's learning something.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
All over again.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
And you know this time with.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
This career.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I per se, I don't have a short window where
I need to be the best in a year or two.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
So that's what I'm looking at right now.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Just taking it day by day and continue to get
my name back out and down the community, and you know,
see a successful career get started.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
Harmoni.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Glad you're doing well in life. Glad you're back here
in Charlotte, and just congratulations on so many things, including
the College Football Hall of Fame.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
To you, all right, thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Thirty seasons of pan through football
He's known more for what he did at the college
football level than as a Carolina Panther, which he was
from twenty ten to twenty thirteen. But it's hard to
beat what Armani Edwards did in college. He's now a
member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Led Appalachian
State the two national championships. He's a two time Walter
Payton Award winner, and he's our guest.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Today thirty Seasons of Panther Football, a celebration of the players, coaches,
and other key figures who've contributed to the organizational success.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
He's a big name in these parts. Aremani Edwards. Whether
you're an app State fan or your team's played against him.
Carolina Panther draft pick, played in Canada, he's back in Charlotte.
Now we're gonna talk about what he's doing today. A
lot of ground to cover with a guy that was
so good on the football field too. And let's begin
with the fact that now into the College Football Hall
of Fame this month. What a great honor of Moni.
(00:52):
What does that mean to you? After starring at app State,
winning national championships, being the two time Walter Peyton Award winner,
What does it mean to have this national award of
being in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
It's a great deal to me, not on a personal level,
but as far as you know, my time at Amplectial State,
we were considered a small school. It was D one
double A at the time that later transitioned to FCS
and me being the stature that I was in size,
(01:28):
I wasn't the prototypical quarterback per se. So throughout my
entire pretty much football career growing up and in college,
you know, they were always naysayer that, you know, I
couldn't play the position, and you know, to get the
highest honor that you possibly can as a college athlete,
(01:51):
there's nothing else that anybody can say.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That's absolutely true. And it's amazing what you were able
to do what you grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Who else was in the conversation as far as your
college recruitment went, as far as possibilities besides Appalachian State
for you at that time.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
It was pretty much a group of schools in the
in the same conference, which was which was the Southern Conference.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
So I was in talks with Elon.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Georgia. Southern was pretty much my number one option during
this time that most do not know. But during the
when the season was over, their coaching staff got fired.
So that's when app called. I took a visit, and
I fell in love with it. But it was a
majority of small schools. The bigger schools such as like
(02:46):
Clemson Memphis I was in talks with, they were only
looking at.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Me as a receiver or dB.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
So pretty much all these smaller schools were giving me
an opportunity as a quarterback.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
And well, but those was Upstate the most attractive as
far as beyond Georgia, Southern being being that place where
you knew you played college quarterback and not moved a
receiver at that point in.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Your career, I wasn't guaranteed to actually play quarterback state.
So they did sign me and another quarterback in the
area of Coco Hillary, and they gave us the same talk.
It was pretty much, you know, whoever wins the quarterback
(03:29):
job between us two, which we were fighting for a
second string. AF already had a first string at the time.
You know, the other guy was gonna transition to receiver.
So it wasn't as if, you know, they told me
I would be the quarterback. I had to work for
it and fight for it. But they gave me an
opportunity to play quarterback, which other schools outside of Georgia Southern,
(03:53):
Elon and another one.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Or two in the mix wasn't given me. But you know,
it was just the icing on the cake and.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Pretty much the tipping of the iceberg when Georgia Southern
the coaching staff got fired. And the way we played
in high school with a fifty to fifty spread offense,
so I was already familiar with the spread and running
the option. We have to stay was still doing that,
so everything worked out in it fit.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
And as we covered, you know, part of you going
to the College Football Hall of Fame is two times
what we would now call FCS national champions two thousand
and six, two thousand and seven, and you yourself the
Walter Payton Award winner two thousand and eight and two
thousand and nine. So obviously a great college career. And
I think you know, if you live to be one hundred,
you'll be asked to come talking a banquet about two
(04:46):
thousand and seven and beating beating Michigan, and not to
recap the whole story, but you know that's considered to
this day to be one of the all time great
upsets in college football history. And you're a good team
obviously knowing that at that state, but you know, going there,
I think they were ranked number five at that time.
I mean, this is something that's going to be like
(05:06):
part of college football lore forever. You know, what does
it mean to be in such an instrumental part of
what is considered one of the most most amazing victories
in college football ever?
Speaker 3 (05:16):
And it's awesome To keep it short, that could very
well be from what I've been witnessing and experiencing the
start of you know, the bigger schools taking the quote
unquote smaller school series. And although there have been more
(05:39):
upsets after our Michigan defeat, I don't think there's been
any effect, like a major effect of unexpectedness compared to
that game since then. And to be frank that the
game really with applecta state and the town up Boone
(06:03):
on the map, because before then nobody knew where app was.
And ever since then everything gets went up from you know,
attendance to guys wanting to go there to play.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
We're talking at a period of time in December where
recently head coach Sean Clark has been fired. Of course,
you were there for Jerry Moore. Is a lot of that,
just the expectation levels that were set by the great
teams and he's had some good ones during his five
year tenure as head coach there and was part of
Eli Drinkwich's coaching staff prior to that. But the expectations
(06:37):
are pretty high in Boon based on a lot of
what you guys did that you know, something like five
and six just isn't going to sit with the fan
base very long.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Yes, of course that comes with the territory and app
State has been a prestigious program since you know, I know,
since two thousand and five before I got there.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
But even before I.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Got there, there was a time where you know.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
They went undefeated in the regular season.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
There were many years where they competed in deep wake
for US who was a bigger school than them, that
they always played. But I know, since my time leading
up to until you know, three four years ago, we've
always you know, been in contention or winning the conference,
(07:27):
and obviously in the FCS we're playing for championships, making
to the playoffs, and you know, we're in a time
now where everybody wants everything quick and sudden, and that's
the sports world. And unfortunately for coach Clark with the
(07:47):
transfer portal and in i L, it can get hard
to keep up in and compete when you're at a
at a school like after Latian State and you're not
winning is mediocre season compared to what we're looking for.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
And of course it's all conjecture. And of course you're
ecstatic that you spent your career at app State that
retired your jersey number. But if you were Armani Edwards
in college today, different worlds. You just mentioned nil and
transfer portal. I mean, I'm sure you would have had
huge offers obviously to move up. I mean, just to
be completely honest, would you've probably not been a four
(08:25):
year player at app State of today's college football world
because of the riches that have been offered to you
by the bigger schools.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
That's that's a very difficult course to answer.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
People that know me. I am not someone that is
money driven.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
I'm somebody that compete at the highest level because of
the bonds that I made. So there's a part of
me that would like to tell you that I would
not have left Aflectic state because of the bond that
I made on the field and.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
In what I was taught growing up.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
When I start something, you know I have to see
it through and me leaving out would it have been
seeing anything through in my aspect. But at the same time,
coming from an.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Area where I came from and not growing.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Up with with money, you know, it's hard to turn
down a certain number if it's presented to you at
the same time. But you know that's a that's a
different difficult question to answer, especially you know ten fifteen
years later.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Sure, I love your answer first of all, but you
also the chance to compete and see how you would
do it at that higher level would have been fun
to see too, But we'll never know the answer. We
love the way it played out as a mountaineer. And
then we go to your pro career. Let's talk some Panthers. Now,
twenty ten, You're drafted in the third round Marty Hernie
John Fox. Were you expecting or surprise to go as
high as the third round of the draft that year?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
According to my agent, that was pretty much an area
where I was going to go anywhere between the third
and fifth round, So it was in the expectations there
wasn't a particular team, you know, at that point in time.
But yes, between the third and fifth round is where
I was told that I should be expecting to go.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
And as I guess, a little bit of misfortune that
you were drafted by a team that was in the
final year of their coaching staff with John Fox, so
things probably didn't, you know, start out the way you wanted.
Then you had Ron Rivera after that, and I guess
you did you have any thought that you might be
have the opportunity to play some quarterback? Obviously it was
more as a slot receiver and a return man as
far as your years in the NFL with the Panthers,
(10:45):
But was there any expectation you might get that shot?
I know, at least in practices and so farth you
had some opportunity there, not as.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Far as being a starting quarterback, but there were expectations
and things told to me about.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
You know, implementing wildcat packages.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
You know, we did work on it sparingly in practices
throughout the years, but you know, I may get one
or two plays, you know, as a quarterback here and
there throughout the years. But yeah, that was as far
as you know, my quarterback future in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Was going to go you you know, went on and
play a little bit with the Browns and the Bears
after that, and we'll talk about the Canadian Football League
in just a minute here. But was that difficult going
for being you know, such a star, premium collegiate player
to being very much a role player in the NFL
as far as you know, I'm sure you had some
expectation that would be the way we'd start, but that
(11:43):
that had to be difficult after being you know, the
guy again you had your jersey retired at your college.
To to not have that that type of a role
in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Knows believe me or not that that wasn't the difficult part.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
I never prayed for or stardom or you know, to
be that guy.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
It just so happened that the work that I put
in and having the great supporting teammates around.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
Me an app that I so happened to become that guy.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
But the difficult part for me was changing position that.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Playing and simple.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You know, I've played quarterbacks since I started playing football
at the age of six.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
That's been my position. It was It was completely second.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Nature to me to now having to start thinking, and
I'm going against the best players in the world.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Now in those two don't mix. When you have to
think and you're going.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Against the best competition, is it's hard to play anything.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
I can imagine, Like you said, just starting a whole
new position at the highest level of that sport was
amazing that you had the accomplishments that you had. What
U when did you start thinking about going to Canada.
You're part of a great Cup champion there. You played
for a couple of different teams in the Canadian Football League.
What was that thought process as you got a little
bit later in your NFL career, decided you want to
(13:09):
keep playing professional football by by going to Canada.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
That thought came because of my wife and our son
we had had in twenty eleven. So I know, my
last opportunity in the NFL was twenty fourteen and back
Bears camp. And after that camp, I was pretty much
hanging up my cleats and being done with football.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
I was no longer in love with the sport.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
I didn't like how, you know, things went in the NFL,
and it was it was not fun for me anymore.
And during that time I did get a call from
a guy named Jim Pop. He was a GM in Montreal,
and again I wasn't loving football anymore, and I told
(13:59):
him no, I was done. Next year twenty fifteen, he
called again and I told him no again.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
But something happened shortly after.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
I can't remember where I was coming from, but I
came home and my mom, not my mom, my wife
was showing our son highlight took to me playing in college,
and you know.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
His eyes just lit up and he gave me.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
That look like you couldn't believe that was me playing.
So it gave me a little spark back. And again
I was I always grew up with the mindset and
I was taught, you know, once I start something, I
have to see it through. And at that time I
had quit. I quit football, so I couldn't and I
(14:47):
didn't want to just leave my.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
Career as it was.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
I didn't have a I didn't have an NFL career
period when you look at the statue. I didn't want
to live the rest of my life knowing, not knowing
whether I could have been a receiver, you know, at
any level. So I got another call from a different
(15:12):
team in twenty sixteen, and I took it, and you
know it was fortunate enough to be a part of
a great cup and have some successful CFO Sea.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
That's awesome. I'm glad you got the chance to extend
your career in front of the family, to have that
opportunity to do that. When I saw you a couple
of months ago, I think the first thing you said
was what you had just moved back to Charlotte somewhat
recently and in the business world now. And I said,
what was your first thing about wanting to move back
to Charlotte. You said the weather, because that had to
be a culture shock for a kid from Greenwood, South Carolina,
(15:44):
spending as much time up in Canada as you did.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Definitely, definitely we get a lot of snow and boom,
but never seen any type of snow like I being
in Captain.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
And tell us about what you're doing now, because I
know you're with the Northwestern Mutual So how is that
going in the financial world And is it like learning
a new position in the NFL, learning a new position
in your career.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Yes, I'm at Northwesternmutual and the financial industry now, and
yes it's learning something.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
All over again.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
And you know this time with.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
This career.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I per se, I don't have a short window where
I need to be the best in a year or two.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
So that's what I'm looking at right now.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Just taking it day by day and continue to get
my name back out and down the community, and you know,
see a successful career get started.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
Harmoni.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Glad you're doing well in life. Glad you're back here
in Charlotte, and just congratulations on so many things, including
the College Football Hall of Fame.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
To you, all right, thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Thirty seasons of pan through football
Popular Podcasts
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides.  Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer  Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.