All I can say to the young players is, enjoy every moment of it. Just enjoy every moment of it. Your career goes by very quickly.
I've gone through back surgery a couple times, and of course, my radiation treatments for six weeks got me to the point where I was not able to play at the level that I was accustomed to.
My parents didn't agree with what was going on, you know, with the communists coming in, Fidel Castro. I didn't see the reason why I needed to go back there and be a part of that exhibition.
I think I've inspired a lot of people, and I'm one, if I get a letter and someone's in serious shape, I'll call them. I relate to these people.
It's fun when you're winning and performing well, but it's also hard because now you get older, you got responsibilities.
Basically, as a leader, I try not to make any mistakes, because there's a lot of people watching even though you don't think so.
I don't care what people think about me because I know I am more than all the pain and strife they hold inside.
I grew up mostly in Germany, but my favorite summer trip was driving from North Carolina to Texas in a camper with my parents and us six kids.
I started playing Madden back in 1993 because that was the first year I actually made it into the game and that was a big thrill. When you're in Madden, you've made it, baby.
I don't think teams play this game to hurt other guys. I don't think that's the story. We don't play this game to hurt one another.
Emotional hurt, you gotta let that go. Walk away and let it be. So many highs and lows, but if you keep being down, you'll never get up.
I always felt that if I did the right thing, that if I trained hard and worked hard, I'd be rewarded somehow.
I liked Roy Jones, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ali... those were the guys I was looking at growing up.
I think a lot of guys want a son because of all of the things they do while growing up. A lot of guys want to share those experiences with their own sons.
As a player, that's not your responsibility to comment and to give your opinion on another player. As a quarterback, I don't want another quarterback tweeting about my performance or judging me in that way.
Never die easy. Why run out of bounds and die easy? Make that linebacker pay. It carries into all facets of your life. It's okay to lose, to die, but don't die without trying, without giving it your best.
But when you lose a family member or something tragic happens, that stays with you forever. You never get over it. Knowing that you have to deal with that for the rest of your life... Football is important, but not as important as you once thought it...
I've been so fortunate in my life that my family has never been jealous of my success. They have shown true love and commitment to me by being supportive. They shared in it.
I don't really make plans and I just want to be happy and continue with my business and take care of my wife and kids. I want to sit back, relax and enjoy life.
Once you've been around this business long enough, anything is a possibility. It's a business first and foremost. Guys play it because they love it, but it is a business, and if you don't understand that it's a business, you're lying to yourself.
I have a hard time believing athletes are overpriced. If an owner is losing money, give it up. It's a business. I have trouble figuring out why owners would stay in if they're losing money.
