My work ethic came from my parents and my fear of failure. I came from a small, predominantly black school and I didn't want to let them down.

I had that hunger, that desire, to be successful and I wasn’t going to let anything stand in my way.

I was just a small boy from Mississippi, and now little kids are going to identify with me through this game.

Once you get your education it's going to open up so many doors for you. And the sky's the limit. So that's what I want to deliver to students.

I had to work hard and hit the books because the opportunity to play in the NFL is not really that big, so I knew I needed something to fall back on. That’s the message I want to send to those kids when I talk to them in person and let them know the most important thing is getting your education.

I think just what my parents instilled in me was hard work and being able to always go out there and focus and be 100%. I took that work ethic into the NFL and everyday I always gave 100% and never wanted anything to be handed to me. I wanted to earn it. And every time I stepped on that football field during practice I wanted to leave that football field with learning something about what the practice was about for me that day...

If I should get selected into the Hall of Fame, I'd be able to say 'thank you' to all the legends that are in the Hall of Fame. And also say thank you to my teammates, and also to all the fans. It's going to be like a dream come true.