Q. In your 16-year career with the Raiders and the Chiefs, you set an NFL record with 123 rushing touchdowns and the longest run from scrimmage in a Super Bowl at 74 yards. You also won the NFL Rookie of the Year Award in 1982 and Comeback Player of the Year in 1993. Do you believe you are worthy of Hall of Fame induction?
A. I don’t want to be presumptuous, but it’s something I certainly have thought about for a long, long time. When I was a kid and when I first knew about the Hall of Fame, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. God willing, my dream will come true.
Q. Your high school coach, Vic Player, said you were very mischievous as a youngster, stuffing smaller kids into lockers and hiding when it came time to run sprints. How did he help you mature and become more serious about the game?
A. He kicked me off the team. It was for my own good. I came back, apologized and did what was best for the team.
Q. It is rare that two players from the same high school would go on to become Hall of Fame-caliber running backs. You were the MVP of Super Bowl XVIII for the Raiders playing against Washington, and Davis was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXII for Denver, scoring three touchdowns against Green Bay. What are your thoughts on Davis?
A. When I saw him coming out of Lincoln, I was his biggest fan. I don’t care what anyone says, running back is the hardest position on the football field, and for a while he was the best there was.
Q. Your NFL career seemed to hit a roadblock after a disagreement with Raiders owner Al Davis. After 11 seasons with the Raiders, you became an unrestricted free agent and had five very productive seasons with Kansas City. Did you feel you had something to prove after leaving the Raiders?
A. Our lives are like motion pictures. You are the director and producer of your life. If there are people in your life who aren’t helping you, you have to edit them out.
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