Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Quotes: Andy Reid, Jamaal Charles, Alex Smith, Dontari Poe, And Derrick Johnson
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs the ball during the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
JAMAAL CHARLES
Q: What are you going to do with your new contract money?
CHARLES: “Save it.”
Q: “Where did you run out of gas?”
CHARLES: “On 29.”
Q: How did you fuel it back up?
CHARLES: “I walked.”
Q: Is your car still there?
CHARLES: “No, it’s gone.”
Q: Did one of the Chiefs fans stop you along the way and bring you the rest of the way?
CHARLES: “No, I had a hoody on. Nobody knew it was me. No, that was just a joke…it was just a joke.”
AA: I love you, Jamaal.
Q: How did it feel to get it done?
CHARLES: “It felt good. I would just like to thank God, first of all, and I would like to thank the Hunt family and my teammates and the fans and everybody that supported me. I didn’t even want to hold out, that’s not my personality. I couldn’t do it. I just wanted to get the deal done. I could’ve held out and got more money, but I’m just happy with what I have for right now. I just wanted to build something here, and build a championship; I want to win a Super Bowl. It’s more than just trying to hold out, I didn’t even want to be selfish like that; that’s not my personality, I wanted to just come back and play football.”
Q: Was that a long negotiation?
CHARLES: “It could’ve been done a while ago. We waited two or three days before training camp to get it done, we could’ve had it done, but I’m just happy that it’s over with and I can move past it and focus on football now. I’m just happy, my family is happy, and the Chiefs are happy, and the fans are happy.”
Q: When did you guys start talking about a new deal?
CHARLES: “We had talked about it during the season. They talked about it with my agents. They (Chiefs) came to them, so they knew at some time that I wasn’t going to play for what I was making next year and I’ve been playing for 5 years like this. The only time I haven’t been playing was the year I was hurt, when I was hurt during my rookie year. Time was going to show, everything happens for a reason. I just thank God, I’m blessed, and move past it.”
Q: What does it say as an organization that they approached you guys about that (deal)?
CHARLES: “If you perform on the field, it doesn’t matter. If you’re not performing, you can’t go ask them for money. When you’re performing, be a good guy, be quiet. I’ve done everything that they’ve wanted me to do. I’ve been staying out of trouble since I’ve been here, I’ve been inspiring younger kids, so I think I’m a great person; I’m a good guy.”
AA: Knowing the Chiefs approached Jamaal pleases me. It changes the whole dynamic of the situation and why they do not seem to be very concerned about the Houston and Smith contracts.
Q: Would it have been possible for you to actually have held out? Would it have churned you up so much that you almost couldn’t have done it?
CHARLES: “I couldn’t do it. I wanted to do it, but it’s just not me. I’m not a cocky player; I’m not one of those players who would do that to my team. I’ve always been a team player the whole time I’ve been here, and I’ve done everything they’ve asked me. I couldn’t hold out, I was just ready to get the deal done and move forward.”
Q: You mentioned that you’re not a cocky guy, it would’ve been hard for you to stomach, but at the same time, how much was it about respect, being the 2nd highest paid running back in the league coming up from 11th?
CHARLES: “It’s been recognized. I’ve been known as a top running back. Since I’ve been in this league, I’ve been known as an underdog, and I just wanted my respect. I still have to earn my respect, I still have to go out there and perform because I asked for more money, but at the same time, they can take it away. So it’s all about staying consistent and staying successful in this league. I want to be in the hall of fame when I retire, I want to win a championship; that’s what it’s all about.”
Q: Are you the best running back in the NFL?
CHARLES: “I don’t question that. I let the people decide who the best is. I go out there and play football; at the end of my career, I want to be in the hall of fame. I don’t judge ‘who’s the best, who’s this and that?’ Everybody has different talents.”
Q: You said that this March you wanted to be like a Peyton Manning? Can you play this thing out?
CHARLES: “Oh yea, I could play it out. I’m still fresh, I’m still feeling good. If I continue to work hard, I can go far. My philosophy is that hard work pays off, if I continue to work hard – things can still come to me. I’m very blessed; I think my skills and the way the game changed – we’re not getting the ball 30 times or 20 something times a game. Sometimes I get the ball 10 times and the rest of it is catches. It’s just the way they use me now; the game has changed.”
Q: Do you like the way you’re being used now, as opposed to maybe in the past?
CHARLES: “In the past I was known for running, now it’s changed to a whole different level of philosophy of passing. The game has changed, I like the way I’m being used and utilized, Coach Reid is a great coach and he knows how to put me in space; I just try to take advantage of every opportunity he gives to me.”
Q: Do you realize fans basically were on your side on this and wanted to see you get more money? Did you have that sense?
CHARLES: “Everybody knew. I had a lot of support from the media and a lot of people. People that know me; some people know me from just being a Chiefs player or some people just know me from being a Texas player. Some of them (Chiefs fans) understood, but everybody from back home and where I’m from knew and understood how this was; so most people didn’t want to see me (get a new deal), and some people thought I was selfish, but that’s not me. I just think that you get what you deserve and everything happens for a reason.”
Q: You talked about wanting to be in the hall of fame and winning championships, can you do that in Kansas City?
CHARLES: “I think I can. If I continue to put the numbers up I have been doing my whole career, I definitely can. I have a chance to be the all-time leader here for the Chiefs in three or four games, so it’s definitely possible if I put up 10,000 yards rushing and also catch the ball. It definitely can happen, I can see it.”
Q: You talked about beating Priest Holmes records, but there are guys higher than him (Priest Holmes) on the list.
CHARLES: “Oh yea, Emmitt (Smith); that’s going to be 12 more years. Emmitt is definitely one of the best running backs; that’s definitely a goal to set, to reach one of the top running backs to ever play, him and Barry Sanders.”
AA: Excuse me, I have to go buy all of the Jamaal Charles jerseys now.