EP 30: Interview With Retired NFL Running Back Larry Johnson

https://atgridiron.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ATG-Larry.png ()SUBSCRIBEhttps://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/after-the-gridiron/id1441939773?mt=2 (iTunes) | https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/I3poqibyqfnwjnj5mwcn6lhmz2i (Google Play) | https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/after-the-gridiron (Stitcher)Larry was a star running back for 7 seasons in the NFL playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.  He started playing when he was 9 years old and he was scared to death playing!  He didn’t know how to play and guys that did were very aggressive and he was actually knocked out of a game.  However his football coaching dad told him to keep going and not give up, so he did.  That turned into him becoming a great player, but in high school he was heavily recruited by only a few schools.  Most thought he would go to Penn State since his dad was a coach there at the time.  However, he wanted to leave Pennsylvania and would have entertained offers from other big schools.  In the end, he did go to Penn State.  Knowing who the incoming competition would be, he was confident that he could out perform them and eventually earn the starting position.  That is exactly what he did, and in his final season reached 2000 yards rushing becoming only the 12th player to reach that mark in NCAA history.  From there he would be drafted to the NFL by Kansas City, but that isn’t where he wanted to play.  He was heart set on playing in Pittsburgh, and they were very interested in him as well.  With Jerome Bettis close to retirement, he felt it was the perfect spot for him.  However, they decided to select Troy Polamalu.  KC was not disappointed, and he became an All-Pro back with them.  He went on to play for a few more teams after leaving KC, but didn’t have the success he did with the Chiefs.  After his football career ended, he was asked to speak to some youth and share some of his experiences and to motivate them.  He did a great job with them and was asked to do it on a more permanent basis.  Not having a defined plan for what he wanted to do, he decided to follow that path.  He is now working with The Motivational Edge, which is a non-profit organization that helps youth through activities and the arts.  They provide dance classes and music creativity where kids can express their artistic talents.  They are based in Florida and help kids across the State.  For more information about them and Larry, follow the links provided below.website: https://themotivationaledge.org/ (www.themotivationaledge.org)twitter: https://twitter.com/2LarryJohnson7?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor (www.twitter.com/2LarryJohnson7) RESOURCEShttps://www.atgridiron.com (www.atgridiron.com)http://www.symfonies.ca (www.symfonies.ca)