What was your favorite restaurant in the city?

I’m a huge steakhouse fan. So I went to Maple and Ash – it was actually my wife’s birthday. They have a pretty unique tradition. I’m sure people who have been there know what it is. I can’t repeat it out loud, but we had a great time.

They trained in nine different locations. What’s the best and hardest part about moving?

I think the best thing about it is being able to be in different environments, experience different cultures and be around different people. The hard part is that it’s not just me moving. Since it’s my wife and three sons, it’s always difficult to make adjustments with them.

Who are your role models?

Of course my mother and father are very important. I am a man, therefore my father. There is no man on this earth who is more important to me and my development than him. So I won’t disrespect him by naming anyone other than him.

You talked a lot about your wife and your three children. How did you react to your new role?

Well, as you mentioned, I’ve moved nine times. Therefore, my family and I are used to change. This is of course different with two changes that are very quick but definitely exciting. They are proud of me and obviously support me.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Direct, open, honest. I really try to use my past experiences, but it’s also about building a connection with these players to show them that I care about them first and foremost as people and not just as football players.

Players typically have pre-game rituals or superstitions. As a coach, do you have any pre-game rituals?

I usually just go outside and put my headphones in. What I do first is FaceTime my wife. We talk and then I probably run 10 to 12 laps around the field to get myself back on track.

Barry Sanders introduced me to football. This is my favorite player of all time. I was a big Barry fan. I’m from Atlanta and was a big fan of Mike Vick. If you watched him grow up, he was just a generational talent.

Favorite football memory – as a player and coach?

Coach is easy – Super Bowl, winning it (with the Rams) in 2021. Hopefully this isn’t a one-time deal. But the preparation for this year, the moment – my family had the chance to get on the pitch, that was cool. As a player, probably too many to name. I think the first time is always the most important. The first time I ran on the field in Georgia as a freshman and the crowd went wild, the arena was sold out – that was pretty cool.

“Welcome to the NFL” moment?

As a player I only had two injury-plagued years. That’s why I won’t rehash the past. I could get angry again. But as a coach, joining the LA Rams organization was obviously a big jump compared to my time in college. So just the amount of ball because in college there’s academics and recruiting. There are so many things outside of this football. In the NFL it’s ball all day long.

You played running back in college and in the NFL. Who is on your running back Mount Rushmore?

Barry is at the top, so I think he’s just in a league of his own. It’s hard – there are so many. I was a big fan of AP (Adrian Peterson). Walter Payton – one of the greatest. LaDainian Tomlinson, I was a big fan of his and I wouldn’t say I modeled my game after him because I couldn’t play that way at all, but I definitely had a lot of love for him. These are probably the best ones I’ve watched the most, simply because I liked the style of ball they play.

You wore number 20 in college – does that number have any significance?

Who is the most difficult player you have played against?

So there’s a cat named Odell Thurman, many may not know who Odell Thurman was, but he was in Georgia when I was there. He ended up being a second-round draft pick for the Bengals. He’s definitely one that sticks in my mind. (Former Panthers linebacker) Thomas Davis was also at Georgia at the same time. Those two cats were really violent soccer players, so they definitely helped me toughen up and grow up. I won’t give too much credit to the opponents, but these are two of my teammates that I had a lot of respect for.

What’s on your bucket list?

I’m not really a bucket list person. However, I love traveling, so every time we go away I get on a plane and go somewhere fun. I’m planning to travel to Tokyo next summer. It will be the first time I go there.

What was your favorite place to travel to?

Turks and Caicos Islands. There’s a place called Beach Enclave that I’ve been to three or four times, so I’ll be back there in a few months.

Who would play you in a film?

Oh man. I mean, Denzel is the greatest of all time, so I’ll stick with Denzel. What is Denzel, 69, called now? No doubt, I’ll still take Denzel.

Do you have hidden talents?

No, not at all. I wish I had done it. That’s a good question. Kind of embarrassing, I guess I have no talents at all. If I could sing, however, it would be dangerous because I would walk around singing all day. I would never keep my mouth shut.