I learned from different guys I played with, too. The key was probably three people: The good Lord, the offensive linemen I played with and great fullbacks that could block very well.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
You know over 20 years I played for a number of managers and dozens of coaches. I don't know any of them that I didn't learn something from to help make me a better player.
Mike Matheny, Fernando Vina, Edgar Renteria, Mark McGwire and Darryl Kile... before he died. Those guys took me under their wing and taught me the way to play the game the right way.
I was a defensive lineman coming out of high school who was considered amongst the top... maybe the top six guys, top five guys, and wanted to prove to my team that I was going to be a top guy going into college.
It actually took me a year to learn how to play running back - to understand what they were doing defensively and then what our guys were doing every single play.
He took me under his wing when I first came to the Rams and taught me everything - his technique in the pass rush, how to play off blockers, and how to make the big play.
I was not a very good football player when I started out.
I have three Defensive Players of the Year. Only one other player has done that. But being a defensive lineman, it's hard to control the game.
We had to play both ways on the field, so I was offensive center and defensive end.
I was also very lucky to be a teammate of two of the greatest players to have ever played the game. I learned very early on by playing for Frank Robinson and with Henry Aaron that even the greatest players in the game were just one of the guys.
Charles Barkley taught me a lot when I played against him. How he would use his body or use his dribble to get people in there and all that stuff.
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