My adopted parents were able to pay for me to go to a private school. So I had it better than most people.
But when you talk about the education and you talk about the lack of recreation for kids to do, I mean, it's second to none in New Orleans when you talk about the lack of opportunities for young people. And it's not just black kids, it's white kids. It's Asian kids. I had Vietnamese kids in my class that had lack of opportunities.
I think of guys like Troy Polamalu. These are guys who didn't see much action in the regular season, but when it came postseason time, they made their plays. That's ultimately how they got their names. Ed Reed. Troy Polamalu. Ty Law. Asante Samuel.
Walking alone, just thinking - that's treatment, man. That's the most comforting rehab I've known.
It makes you grateful, it makes you humble that you have the opportunity to be a father and be there for your son. My father wasn't, so I just try to do the right things for my son.
I want to start a foundation called Second Chance. I was given a second chance, so I want to reach out to different groups of people. It would be nice to give that opportunity to others.
It's senseless. I've lost several uncles, I've lost my best friend to gun violence in New Orleans.
I don't have any bad vibes with LSU. I learned so much there. I experienced so much there. I had so much fun. I met great people.
But, most of the time it takes people to hit rock bottom for them to start believing in themselves, and start seeking help.
When you surround yourself with the wrong people it's going to backfire every time.
I want to be a great teammate, and I want to be the same leader on the field that I know I can be off the field.
I'm not one of those guys who gets stronger in the weight room.
I want to⦠help the young guys, help my teammates, help everybody be confident and make everybody feel like they're special.