This week, Jim Brown appeared on ESPN Radio and referred to the Cleveland Browns' third overall pick Trent Richardson as "ordinary." But what everyday, run-of-the-mill running back would be able to pull off nasty ankle-breakers on the field and also take the time to make a young cancer survivor's dream come true outside of the sport? With all due respect to arguably the best player to ever compete in the NFL, there is nothing ordinary about Richardson.
Earlier this week, we got to talk with Trent at the Conversion Sports and Entertainment "NFL Pre-Draft Luxury Gifting and Style Suite" event, organized by CC Carnie, to see what he thought of Hologram 2Pac and going to his first high school prom with leukemia survivor, Courtney Alves.
Interview by Jose Martinez (@ZayMarty)
How does it feel to reach your goal of making it in the NFL?
A lot of people didn’t think I could even make it to college. It’s hard to make it where I come from at the age of 18 and to make it into the NFL, that’s big, man. We got great people around our community of Pensacola, Fla., from Derrick Brooks to Emmitt Smith to Cortland Finnegan. Now, I can say that I’m one of those guys that can always be remembered and have my name go down in college football history. Everybody gotta compare themselves to me. [Laughs.]
In the days leading up to the Draft, you were probably hearing all the rumors of teams trying to trade up to pick you and so on. How did that make you feel?
Right now, I’m just anxious. I’m ready to get it over with. Get settled in and just really get to work. I’m not really leaning towards one team because you can’t get your hopes up, but whoever it is, that team is going to get the hardest worker and the closest thing to a Pro Bowler as rookie.
What are you listening to these days?
T.I. and some of that Gucci. I’m from the South. But I do listen to Jay-Z and some of Diddy’s new records. I’m always bumping Biggie and 2Pac. I listen to a little bit of R&B and Gospel too.
Speaking of 2Pac, how did you feel about that Hologram 2Pac at Coachella?
It was crazy, man. Technology is crazy these days. You look at stuff like that and you’re like, dang, you could practically be in one place and not really be there. Of course, some people say that he’s still alive. Man, just let that guy rest in peace.
Now, if they said that they could create a hologram of a former NFL athlete, who’s one player that you would want to see?
Bo Jackson. Walter Payton. Ernie Davis.
Who’s the most famous person in your cellphone?
I came in contact with Wayne and Baby. I know Diddy because I know his son. It’s been crazy because I’ve met all these folks that are fans of me and I’ve always been big fans of them. It’s shocking to me. [Laughs.]
How was it taking leukemia survivor, Courtney Alvis, to her high school prom?
Since I was always doing athletics, I never went to my prom when I was in high school. So, it was big for me. That girl deserved every bit of that because she fought for her life and when some people know that they have that illness, they give up. But Courtney’s strong, man. You know, people didn’t think I was going to do it. First, people thought I was just going to drive her there, but I was like, “I’m gonna take her.” Hey, I may be the only dude with a beard in there, but I’m gonna go.
