I grew up in a tough neighborhood where a lot of kids were older than me. The older kids decided to pick me on me starting when I was about 6 and it didn't take me long to take a stand for myself.

I am a firm believer in if you can't get it the old fashioned way, you don't need it.

My sophomore year I placed 2nd, and my junior and senior year - I got smart and piled up enough points between myself and second place where I didn't have to run the mile.

It's all about the attitude, gut, heart and determination to go out and give 120% every time to try and help the team win.

I've always played with kids that were five, six, seven years older than me.

If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.

I also tell them that your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will - that's just the bottom line.