My first two years in the CFL, all I thought of was getting back to the NFL - it was like 'I'll put my time in up here and go back.' Then I went and signed a nice contract in Calgary and was like, 'Hey, I can make a living up here, this is great football, and I'm having a blast.'

The biggest issue about the height factor is the bias that the NFL has about it.

But I’ll tell you this: When I lose my athleticism, it’s time to go.

My biggest frustration with the Heisman is it’s become the MVP of the national champion, or a team going to the National Championship game. That’s what it’s turned into. If you’re not undefeated, you’re out of the running.

When I go back to NFL functions today, I feel a bit on the outside looking in. I played 13 years in the NFL, and I loved it – made a Pro Bowl and went to the playoffs – but I always felt like I was having to knock the door down to get in.

The trouble is that right now I want to put as much work into football as I can. It’s very important for me to get off to a good start. By the same token, I feel a responsibility to handle the media and those sort of things.

It’s nice to have a situation where you can make it fun.

Hey, I’m just looking for an excuse to retire so I can play summer league baseball, go coach my nephews, play pickup basketball. I’ve always had that ability to move on to the next thing.

Any game is important to me. At Boston College, when I went out for the spring games, I wanted to win. Maybe it is more important than other preseason games. It’s just that everyone is expecting a lot from me in my first week of professional football. I want to confirm my expectations.

It’s my whole life of being the little guy and having a little chip on my shoulder, from year to year trying to prove myself, and at the end of the day to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame is a very special honor for me.