Todd Gurley speaks about his first black head coach since he was a kid
Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Terez Paylor spoke with Atlanta Falcons RB Todd Gurley about his move to Atlanta, the Falcons recent turnaround and what it means to him to have a black head coach for the first time since he was a child in Raheem Morris.
Todd joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of Pillsbury and Operation Homefront, which worked together to help military families thrive during their transition back to civilian life.
Video Transcript
[NO SPEECH]
TEREZ PAYLOR: I'm here with Todd Gurley, star running back for the Atlanta Falcons, who speak on behalf of Pillsbury. And Todd, a promise we'll get to that in a minute. But I first want to say, thanks for joining us man. How are you doing?
TODD GURLEY: I'm doing good Terez. How you doing today, man?
TEREZ PAYLOR: I'm fantastic man. I'm fantastic.
TODD GURLEY: [INAUDIBLE]
TEREZ PAYLOR: Oh, you know what, I've got to try to make it look a little professional now. Got my Hall of Fame voter football and all that.
TODD GURLEY: I approve. I approve.
TEREZ PAYLOR: Hey, you know what, I'm a national writer. And I watch a lot of football, trying to take notes on every game. And, I spend way more time in here than I probably want to, but I'll tell you this man, you guys have been playing better football the last month. You guys have been fun to watch man. So, I just want to know from you, playing in Atlanta, you're back in Georgia. Just how great is this man?
TODD GURLEY: You know you're winning, you know it's just the spirits. The spirits are high. You go about your day better you. Got more pep in your step. You got something to play for as well. It's definitely a lot better. People feel confident coming in the games. You can just feel it.
TEREZ PAYLOR: Now, Coach Morris, said yesterday, that the dirty birds are back. Are you co-signing on that man? Where are you at on that?
TODD GURLEY: If my dog said it, then I'm with them.
TEREZ PAYLOR: Alright. All right. Let's talk about that for a second, because I just want to know, because you work with him, what is it about him that has helped you guys kind of turn things around this month? I see 3 and 1, and I want to know what he's given you guys.
TODD GURLEY: I mean he just keeps it real. Speaks what's on his mind, and just say it. It's no BS.
TEREZ PAYLOR: If somebody asked you about Coach Morris, what would you tell them about him as a head coach in this league?
TODD GURLEY: First of all, he's black, and he's head coach. So, that just tell you right. There's not many of those. Honestly, I haven't had a black coach since little league.
So, I'm excited just to be able to play for a guy with the opportunity, and under the circumstances he'd been under. So, you can't do nothing but respect that, and appreciate that.
TEREZ PAYLOR: I'll tell you this man. I live in Kansas City, and I've covered the Chiefs, for like a decade. So, one thing that Andy Reid, does is he puts it on himself, right. One thing I noticed, is that the touchdown against Detroit, Raheem Morris, said it was his fault. He took responsibility for that. And I want to know as a player, how much does that matter, and help you guys, trying to buy into the culture he's trying to set.
TODD GURLEY: Most definitely. I always blame everything on the coaches by the way.
[LAUGHTER]
But, somebody just to be able to just take credit, and man up. You can't do nothing but respect that. Obviously, at the end of the day, I'm out there playing. And I know what I need to do. But, just for someone to have you back. With whatever profession it is everyone feel appreciated.
TEREZ PAYLOR: All right man. Hey first of all, tell me why you wanted to partner with Pillsbury, to welcome the first military family to their new home. What made you get involved in this man?
TODD GURLEY: Man. Obviously, just being able to go back to Georgia. I played at Georgia. Being able to play for the Falcons. And, being able to just partner with Pillsbury. Pillsbury, wants to give military family the place to call home.
- Brittany, Collin, welcome to your new home. Let's go check it out.
TODD GURLEY: Being able to put military family into a home that's rent free. To be able to surprise Trevor, Britney, and their son Collin. Being able to FaceTime, Trevor. And being able to just show him his new home.
It's just a priority for me to just be able to do what I'm supposed to do. A lot of people helped me out growing up. So, to be able to have this opportunity to work with Pillsbury, and Operation Homefront. It's a great feeling. Something that you can just look back on, and just be very proud of. And it's just one thing I'm super excited about.
TEREZ PAYLOR: So, all in all, I guess I would say, your Georgia homecoming is going pretty good so far and away?
TODD GURLEY: Yeah. Yeah, it is.
TEREZ PAYLOR: Awesome. Awesome my man. All right, hey, thanks. This was great. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you again for joining us, man. This is great.
TODD GURLEY: Alright man. Thank you. Have a great day.