Q&A: Todd Gurley on ’torturing’ himself, McVay’s brain and playing every game
PostPosted:4 years 9 months ago
https://theathletic.com/1073216/2019/07 ... very-game/
Q&A: Todd Gurley on ’torturing’ himself, McVay’s brain and playing every game
By Molly Knight
It’s been a thrilling summer for sports in Los Angeles. The Lakers got Anthony Davis. The Clippers snagged Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Dodgers are thrashing their way through the National League. So it’s easy to forget about the Rams, the team that exceeded all expectations last season and rewarded local fans with the highest joy dividend on their emotional investment.
To fill the void of a slow sports day, I recently caught up with America’s running back — Todd Gurley — to talk about the Super Bowl, his health and what makes being a Ram so fun.
It’s been five months since the Super Bowl. How often do you think about it?
Are you asking if I get cold chills and then wake up and start yelling Tom Brady’s name? (Laughs)
Yes.
Nah. I don’t think about the game too much, to be honest. I’ll see stuff on the Internet and be like, dammit, we could have had it. It was one of those moments for me where I just looked at it like a blessing to be able to do something I always wanted to do. To play in the Super Bowl feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But also to come up short is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I mean, bad stuff has happened to me in my life before. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time.
Have you gone back and watched the game?
Why would I do that?
Some athletes like to torture themselves.
Not me. I do not. Working out is the only time I torture myself.
How have you been feeling? Everything good?
Yeah, I’ve been torturing myself. It’s been good getting myself ready for training camp. It’s gonna be a long season and that’s what I’m expected for — to get my mind and my body right for 16 games plus the playoffs.
I’m just going into training camp with a great mindset and be with my teammates and really just lead those guys and follow coach (Sean) McVay.
What is it like being a Ram? How is it different from other teams?
It’s very fun. Super fun. Very, very fun. Of course, it’s always fun when you’re winning and you have a great coach, great organization, great trainers. great strength staff. But at the end of the day, it all starts with the players.
We’ve got a great team of guys with no egos. Good dudes, good vibes. Offense hanging with defense; everyone’s hanging with each other. We have a great time and we play for each other. We’ve been around each other awhile and we’re a younger team, so we like to have fun with each other. I just love it. And then we’ve got Coach McVay, so it just makes everything better.
How would you describe Coach McVay to someone who doesn’t know him?
He has the brain of an elephant. Great, great guy. Super, super guy. And for me personally, him coming in (two years ago) helped me out tremendously.
How has he helped you?
He led me to a Super Bowl! He got me to become an All-Pro player, too.
I mean I give credit to myself on that for working hard, but he came in and put me into different schemes and put me with a great running backs coach (Skip Peete). And just learning stuff from (tackle Andrew) Whitworth, (guard) Rodger (Saffold), and Sully (center John Sullivan) over the years has all been huge for me.
What is your favorite play McVay calls for you?
He’s always coming up with something new, so I can’t even like something for too long because then it’s gone.
There have been a lot of rumors about different injuries you might have. I’ve seen some crazy stuff online. Is there anything you want to clear up?
No. (Laughs)
So you’re feeling good and preparing to play the whole season?
Yeah. That’s all I’ve got to say.
Rams fans will be excited to hear that.
Yeah. Once the season comes, everyone’s gonna (see). There’s only one way to find out.
Q&A: Todd Gurley on ’torturing’ himself, McVay’s brain and playing every game
By Molly Knight
It’s been a thrilling summer for sports in Los Angeles. The Lakers got Anthony Davis. The Clippers snagged Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Dodgers are thrashing their way through the National League. So it’s easy to forget about the Rams, the team that exceeded all expectations last season and rewarded local fans with the highest joy dividend on their emotional investment.
To fill the void of a slow sports day, I recently caught up with America’s running back — Todd Gurley — to talk about the Super Bowl, his health and what makes being a Ram so fun.
It’s been five months since the Super Bowl. How often do you think about it?
Are you asking if I get cold chills and then wake up and start yelling Tom Brady’s name? (Laughs)
Yes.
Nah. I don’t think about the game too much, to be honest. I’ll see stuff on the Internet and be like, dammit, we could have had it. It was one of those moments for me where I just looked at it like a blessing to be able to do something I always wanted to do. To play in the Super Bowl feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But also to come up short is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I mean, bad stuff has happened to me in my life before. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time.
Have you gone back and watched the game?
Why would I do that?
Some athletes like to torture themselves.
Not me. I do not. Working out is the only time I torture myself.
How have you been feeling? Everything good?
Yeah, I’ve been torturing myself. It’s been good getting myself ready for training camp. It’s gonna be a long season and that’s what I’m expected for — to get my mind and my body right for 16 games plus the playoffs.
I’m just going into training camp with a great mindset and be with my teammates and really just lead those guys and follow coach (Sean) McVay.
What is it like being a Ram? How is it different from other teams?
It’s very fun. Super fun. Very, very fun. Of course, it’s always fun when you’re winning and you have a great coach, great organization, great trainers. great strength staff. But at the end of the day, it all starts with the players.
We’ve got a great team of guys with no egos. Good dudes, good vibes. Offense hanging with defense; everyone’s hanging with each other. We have a great time and we play for each other. We’ve been around each other awhile and we’re a younger team, so we like to have fun with each other. I just love it. And then we’ve got Coach McVay, so it just makes everything better.
How would you describe Coach McVay to someone who doesn’t know him?
He has the brain of an elephant. Great, great guy. Super, super guy. And for me personally, him coming in (two years ago) helped me out tremendously.
How has he helped you?
He led me to a Super Bowl! He got me to become an All-Pro player, too.
I mean I give credit to myself on that for working hard, but he came in and put me into different schemes and put me with a great running backs coach (Skip Peete). And just learning stuff from (tackle Andrew) Whitworth, (guard) Rodger (Saffold), and Sully (center John Sullivan) over the years has all been huge for me.
What is your favorite play McVay calls for you?
He’s always coming up with something new, so I can’t even like something for too long because then it’s gone.
There have been a lot of rumors about different injuries you might have. I’ve seen some crazy stuff online. Is there anything you want to clear up?
No. (Laughs)
So you’re feeling good and preparing to play the whole season?
Yeah. That’s all I’ve got to say.
Rams fans will be excited to hear that.
Yeah. Once the season comes, everyone’s gonna (see). There’s only one way to find out.