| 05 August 2009
Quick quiz: What Detroit Lions pro-bowler felt that there was no alternative than to retire early after the "culture of losing" enveloped his every play? If you said Barry Sanders, you're right. If you said Cory Redding, you would also be correct. Mitch Levy had a fantastic interview with Cory Redding this morning, and it appeared that Redding was nothing if not honest. Here's what I got from it:
- After the 0-16 season and years of being one of the best on one of the worst, Cory Redding was seriously considering early retirement. He said that he loves the game so much, but was a different person and not one that he or his family particularly enjoyed.
- Redding talked to the Lions GM and told him that he couldn't take it any longer, and wanted to go back to school. He did, and the Lions and him got back in touch in February when he said, again, he couldn't play for them. They essentially said 'Tough Luck,' and retirement seemed more likely. Then he got a call about a month later from his agent saying "you're being shopped," and the next day from Tim Ruskell welcoming him to the Seattle Seahawks.
- Of being acquired by the Seahawks, Redding said: "It was like being drafted all over again." He is clearly very excited to be part of this team.
- He said that he believes his role is to make this team better regardless of where he is lining up, be it in the middle or on the end. Redding praised the interior guys and said that whatever he could do to help free up Cole, Mebane and Tatupu to make plays will be the best thing for this team.
- Redding seems like one of the most genuine lovers of the game out there, I was thoroughly impressed with his passion and his eloquence. My wife looked like she was tearing up at one point when he talked about how excited he was to be playing for a winner, but then, she used to cry during cat food commercials so maybe thats not the best threshold?
- Redding was the former USA Defensive High School Player of the Year and was proud of it, but not so proud that he had not determined to go to the University of Colorado. In one of the more amusing portions of the interview, Redding discussed how impressed he was with Rick Nieuheisel and how the only reason he didn't go to UC was that Ricky took the job at the UW. Come on Rick, couldn't have brought him over? Just sayin...
There was plenty more but this is all off of memory. You guys should check the audio out for yourself. I'm blocked from pulling it from KJR at work (which seems criminal, no?), but if you find it and post it in the comments I'll toss it in here and give you props. Thanks!
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