Drugs, violence and poverty, Richardson said, permeate the Warrington neighborhood of Pensacola, Fla., where he grew up. He had two daughters when he was a teenager, life was hard and the wrong crowd presented itself at virtually every turn. Richardson, though, credits his mother, Katrina, and the coaches he had as a youngster for helping him emerge from difficult circumstances to become a star running back at the University of Alabama and a first-round draft pick.
This week, Richardson and the other 252 members of this year’s draft class received reminders about how to stay on the right path during the 15th NFL Rookie Symposium, which is being held in Northeast Ohio for the first time. The AFC rookies will wrap up the symposium today with a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, and Richardson expects to receive a valuable history lesson.
“I want to be in the hall of fame, and I want to be one of the most talked-about running backs in the NFL,” Richardson said Friday during the symposium’s PLAY 60 Youth Football Clinic at the Browns’ headquarters. “I want my name to always be remembered in a good way, not in a dumb way or in a crazy way. For me, I’m always gonna work hard and make sure that my standards are set high.”
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, both of whom have encountered their fair share of off-the-field drama, spoke to the AFC rookies Thursday during orientation at the Bertram Inn & Conference Center in Aurora.
“To me, [the most important lesson] was what Adam Jones said — ‘Make sure you look at that bank statement, make sure you do background checks on your financial adviser, your agent, your broker, all that stuff,’ ” Richardson said. “I had never thought about that stuff. That’s something I’m going to go back and double check on.
“I have kept my circle small. I have friends back home, but they know their spot. They know their place, and when I get with them, I get with them and I talk to them. But they know when I’m working it is straight business. I’m not going to let anyone interfere with my business.”
Like Richardson, fellow Browns rookie Mitchell Schwartz heard the warnings loud and clear during the symposium.
“Don’t make the same mistakes other people have made already,” said Schwartz, an offensive tackle from the University of California whom the Browns picked 37th overall. “They bring a lot of guys in who have kind of already done the wrong things that you shouldn’t be doing. You just try to learn from their mistakes, so you don’t do it yourself. I think that’s kind of the big takeaway. It’s all stuff you know — not to drink and drive. Other players who have been through it can tell you the situation you can get caught up in and how easily things can turn for you.”
Much of the advice sounds familiar to Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden, who’s different than a typical rookie because he spent five years in minor-league baseball before playing football at Oklahoma State University and will turn 29 in October. Still, Weeden knows one particular message is worth hearing again.
“T.O. said it — everybody really said it — but you’ve got a lot of free time on your hands, and there’s a lot of people out there that want to open up their hand and have you help them by loaning them money or whatever it may be,” said Weeden, the 22nd overall pick. “I don’t care what anyone says. If you’re financially stable, it makes things a lot easier, and 78 percent of the people that leave the league after three or four years aren’t. To me, that hits home. I like my money. I want to keep my money. I think hearing guys that have been through the actual situation, to hear it come out of their mouth, that hits home a little bit.”
Of course, lessons from the symposium only pay off if they’re applied. Each player must make his own decisions, and Richardson believes his foundation will help him remain disciplined.
“My mom kept me humble with church and my faith,” Richardson said. “Football can mold you into a man and mold you into a different person and a respectful person when you have coaches like I had.
“I’m gonna always be that guy that didn’t have that much, and I’m gonna always work hard. I’ll make sure I remember where I came from.”
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 1, 2012 9:36 am
Who would have thunk 90 MPH winds would be touching down in Ohio? Just think it could be worse though those funnel cakes have been known to form in parts of the state. Good to know your electric company was on top of things. Goodness knows you never know when you'll be put back on the grid sometimes. in 2008 Ohio had a hurricane that formed after one in the Gulf reached up here and reformed . the Browns played the Steelers that night on Sunday night football . i lost power then but watched the game from my dads house .who would have thought that Ohio would have a hurricane ?? it was just high winds and yes we lost power for three days then . but the damage wasnt nothing like Fri afternoons was . most streets were blocked off with fallen trees . live power lines snapping all over the place . it was crazy around here . total carnage . there is nothing personaly that cant be fixed . just lots of cleanup and dumping my fridge & freezer . what a mess . thankful to have power back thankful that no one was serisouly injured or worse . that is a miracle as there was no warning for this storm |
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 1, 2012 9:38 am
Mary Kay Cabot and the rest of the PD writers just seems hell bent on running Colt out of town don't they? |
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 1, 2012 9:42 am
anybody else get hammered Fri afternoon ? the three county area here took a beating and then some .Had some good damage around Cow-lumbus Bluez. Storm ripped off the ridge vent off my roof. Had to climb up right after the storm to slap some plastic down over the hole. And I gotta get up there shortly to put it back on. At least my repair job will only cost me an hour or two of my time and a $3 tube of caulk and bit of roll shingles I already have out in the garage. |
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 1, 2012 10:37 am
Duff ..morning . glad you are okay and had minimal damage .
now dont fall off the roof 
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 1, 2012 12:52 pm
Saw what I thought looked funnel shape in the clouds Friday afternoon in Fort Wayne, IN, but all clear up here in Michigan..
Glad you are all safe, all things can be replaced/repaired/cleaned up... Woof... |
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 2, 2012 9:44 am
Better than 2011? Last season, the Browns used their fourth and fifth running backs after injuries to Jackson, Hillis and Hardesty. This season, Richardson figures to be a workhorse.
1 Comment As the Browns prepare to embark their second season under Pat Shurmur there are many questions that remain. With training camp opening Sat. July 28, we’re going to take a position-by-position analysis of the current roster as the team heads to camp over the next few weeks. Part two is the running back and fullback positions. Candidates: RB --Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson, Chris Ogbonnaya and Adonis Thomas FB -- Eddie Williams, Owen Marecic and Brad Smelley. When the Browns chose to let Peyton Hillis walk during free agency, they created a hole in the backfield as neither Hardesty or Jackson have shown they can be reliable featured backs. Not only did the Browns feel a need to address the quarterback position, they had to find a starting running back. And by all indications they did. Not wanting to be left at the altar and taking no chances they traded to move up from the fourth spot to number three to get the premier running back in this year’s draft. Richardson (5-9, 230, first year, Alabama) – Taken with the third overall pick, the Browns are expected to make Richardson the focal point of the offense. He could be plugged in and used the way Hillis was in 2010 as Richardson can pass block, as well as be an effective receiver coming out of the backfield. Some draft experts said Richardson is the best back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. Richardson can make things a lot easier for Brandon Weeden or Colt McCoy or whoever is the quarterback as the running game has to be better than last year and cause teams to have to game plan against someone. Jackson (5-10, 216, 6th year, Nebraska) -- Jackson was penciled in to be the third down back after signing as an unrestricted free agent from the Packers in 2011. However, he suffered a toe injury and was on injured reserve before he got out of the starting blocks. He is being counted on to take that role over again in 2012. Hardesty (6-0, 225, 3rd year, Tennessee) – Hardesty was hampered in 2011 by a calf injury after missing his rookie season with a torn ACL. He had 266 yards (3.0 avg.) with no touchdowns. His best game was a 95-yard performance on 33 rushes against the Seahawks. He also caught 14 passes on the season. This is a put up or shut up year for Hardesty after Tom Heckert made a bold move in 2010 by trading up to get Hardesty in the second-round after Hardesty had an injury-prone college career. Ogbonnaya (6-0, 225, 3rd year, Texas) – Ogbonnaya was pressed into service after the top three backs went down with injury. He responded with a 121-yard rushing game against Jacksonville and finished second on the team with 334 yards (4.6 avg.) and one touchdown. He also caught 23 passes. However, he could be the odd man out if the projected top three are healthy. Thomas (5-9, 185, rookie, Toledo) – Thomas came out of nowhere as a tryout invitee at the rookie minicamp and was signed to the roster. The Browns thought enough of him to let speedster Armond Smith go. With a good preseason, Thomas will be a candidate for the practice squad. Marecic (6-0, 245, 2nd year, Stanford) – Marecic was the starter for the 2011 season after being drafted in the fourth-round out of Stanford, but suffered two concussions as a rookie. He had just four carries for 8 yards and caught five passes. He should be better, but the head injuries are worrisome. Williams (6-1, 242, 2nd year, Idaho) – Williams was on the practice squad and was called up to the active roster when Marecic was injured. He could be a dark horse candidate to replace Marecic, but didn’t help his cause missing the spring practices due to an injury. Smelley (6-2, 235, rookie, Alabama) – The Browns selected him in the seventh-round and the former lead blocker for Richardson could have the same role in the NFL. Smelley has the versatility to play both fullback and tight end. Better than 2011? Last season, the Browns used their fourth and fifth running backs after injuries to Jackson, Hillis and Hardesty. Thomas Clayton was used and Ogbonnaya came in off the Texans’ practice squad and started with two days practice. Thus, the Browns should be much stronger at running back this year with Richardson being the workhorse. Hillis was the leading rusher in 2011 with just 587 yards and three touchdowns, so it should be easy for a healthy Richardson to exceed those numbers. Marecic was a rookie and struggled besides suffering concussions. He should be much better in his second season. Smelley could be a very interesting addition. He was impressive in the OTAs and the minicamp |
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Dawg Pound Lounge ,July 2, 2012 12:00 pm
If your heading out for the 4th Holliday please be safe & enjoy yourselves . Training camp is right around the corner . First pitch is at 7:05 tonight . Happy B Day AMERICA !!
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