I loved Bud Grant.
As a family, we didn't get into the celebrity thing. That's not what we wanted for the boys. We wanted them to play everything they could, be involved in as many school events as they could.
I've said publicly, and it's true, I've had a lot of wonderful things come my way. But personally, the greatest thing I ever accomplished was when I was named the starting quarterback at Ole Miss. That was my childhood dream, as it was thousands of kids in Mississippi.
Back in 1983, quarterback Tommy Kramer got hurt and the Minnesota Vikings traded for me. The plan was for me to play, but I got something called Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, and wound up on injured reserve.
Drew Bledsoe is a great talent. He had some fantastic years early in his career.
When Peyton played, he was a grinder. I mean he was up early and late.
With Eli - and all of my sons - I wanted to impress that as they grow older, they are going to have important decisions to make and at decision time, you can't be 100% perfect, but try to evaluate things and do what's right.
My advice for parents is to support your children, make sure they are having fun. Support them and be there for them. Give them encouragement and make it a life lesson that along the way they are learning to make good decisions and do the right thing.
Gosh, I loved playing.
Indianapolis is a great Midwestern city. Great people. Warm, friendly people.
When I showed interest in sports, my dad handled it right. I lost my dad when I was nineteen years old. Up until then, his policy on sports was that you can go out for any sport you want to - but don't even think about quitting. If you don't like it, you're going to stick it out.
My wife, Olivia, always thought I was one day going to go into coaching. But after playing until I was 37, I didn't want to subject my family to that nomad life. I think I definitely could have done it.
I cherish my time at Ole Miss. I cherish those four years.
I really don't think I have lived my life as an open book.
Obviously, you have to have some physical ability to play quarterback in the NFL.
We never knew we'd have kids playing pro football or going to Super Bowls. That wasn't ever a part of our plan in raising kids, so we really feel blessed.
I'm very proud of high school, college and pro football, the strides have been made to make it a safer game.
I didn't want to be one of these pushy daddies.
People are just so passionate about football in the South. Great rivalries through the years. Unbelievable rivalries. It's healthy.
I'm glad I got to play 15 years. I'm not scarred by the fact I didn't do better, or win more. I don't even talk about it, other people do.
