USA Football National Conference, in case you missed it: Cris Carter on the power of football

By Brent Glasgow | Posted 2/1/2018

Photo via Mike Fender

Minnesota Vikings legend Cris Carter wowed spectators throughout his gridiron career, which earned him a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. At last Friday's opening keynote ceremony at the USA Football National Conference at Pro Bowl, he showed why he's equally respected off the field.

In his 15-minute address, Carter discussed football and what the game has meant in his life.

View Carter's full speech here:

Highlights include:

• (1:44) Carter's first youth football experience in Ohio, including a 70-yard run the first time he touched the ball.

"After that, it was just like a drug. Didn't have a way to practice from the housing projects about two miles away from the field, but what football told me early was (that) people weren't racist, people weren't prejudiced, because I used to go out on the road and walk to practice, and predominantly, white people used to pick me up."

• (4:22) What football has done for Carter, including the experience of coaching.

"Football's been so good to me, and it wouldn't have been if it weren't for people like yourselves - football coaches volunteering; moms being team moms, riding kids to practice. You don't realize the impact you're having on young people."

• (6:55) Carter critiques the modern high-level college athlete.

"They're more concerned about wearing two different shoes, how long my towel is, what kind of shield I got on my helmet, 'Hey coach, I need a single-digit number.'"

• (9:33) Carter says football is at a "very critical juncture."

"The game is actually safer now than it's ever been, and we need to make sure we keep communicating that to people, so they get comfortable with the game of football."

TagsBlog National Conference Coach Fan/enthusiast

USA Football National Conference, in case you missed it: Cris Carter on the power of football

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