![]() And here he is, 7,220 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns later. The 5'11 Charles was thought undersized and not physical enough to star in the NFL when he left Texas. I'm going to take advantage of this one more shot." "When I leave I want to be known as Jamaal Charles, phenomenal football player, inspiring to kids and adults. "One more shot," he says, much more seriously now, his grin fading. In an era when NFL players are retiring early to preserve their future health, why not choose the easy way out? And that presupposes him beating out the youngsters to reclaim (and keep) his spot in a now-crowded backfield. Standing on the precipice of either a cushy early retirement or months of rehab followed by the daily grind of punishing helmet-to-helmet hits and the risk of re-injury to his knee, Charles states that he intends to win a Super Bowl with the Chiefs and retire as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He's earned nearly $35 million in the NFL, enjoys his modest home, his wife Whitney (whom Charles met during his freshman year at UT) and his two young daughters.īut the Port Arthur native isn't anywhere near ready to give up on his playing career: He's been to four pro bowls and overcame a torn left ACL four years ago. But he's battled injuries since his time in Austin, and is armed with determination, Christian faith, and even a new vegan diet.įor better or worse, Charles' injury didn't hurt his team, as 24-year-old backups Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware stepped up and led the Chiefs to 10 straight wins. 11 game against the Chicago Bears, and as he nears his 30th birthday, many doubt his ability to make it back to the NFL. In the story, O'Connell meets with Charles in his suburban Kansas City home to chronicle the back's latest attempt to overcome the odds.Īfter a quick conversation about Torchy's Tacos and the incredible queso served by the Austin-based chain, the talk turns serious.Ĭharles tore his right ACL in an Oct. Sport's Illustrated's Chris O'Connell has penned an excellent piece on 29-year-old former Texas Longhorns and current Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.
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