Although NFL star Terrell Davis came to Mountain View last month to discuss migraine headaches, he still found time to talk football. After giving a speech on migraines June 25 at El Camino Hospital (see story in last week's issue), Davis sat down with the Town Crier to discuss life on the gridiron.
A conversation about the NFL's best running back may not start with the name Terrell Davis, but he's almost always mentioned before too long.
Davis' accomplishments last season alone warrant his inclusion among the elite. The Denver Broncos star was the AFC's top rusher with 1,750 yards. His 15 rushing touchdowns led the league. Davis made the Pro Bowl for the third straight year. And to top it off, he won the Super Bowl MVP award.
Yet Davis realizes he didn't earn these honors by himself. When asked about his success, the 25-year-old is quick to credit those around him.
"It's the supporting cast," Davis said. "I'm the runner I am today because we have a system I believe in, and a team that believes in that system. Every one's part of it."
This system - coach Mike Shanahan's version of the West Coast offense - helped make Denver the best offensive team in the league a year ago.Combined with the league's No. 5 defense, the Broncos went 12-4 in the regular season.
Despite these impressive numbers, most so-called "football experts" didn't give Denver much of a chance to beat the Green Bay Packers Jan. 25 in Super Bowl XXXII. Davis said the prognosticators only added to the Broncos' motivation.
"It was a slap in the face to call us a two-touchdown underdog," he said. "We felt we had a chance to beat that team - and we felt strongly about it."
By game's end, that feeling became fact. The Broncos stunned the Packers - and most of the world - with a 31-24 victory.
Davis did much of the damage against the Packers' vaunted defense, rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns.
And most of this was accomplished in the second half. A migraine headache caused Davis to miss nearly all of the second quarter, landing him in the locker room for treatment.
But Davis, playing in his hometown of San Diego, returned with a vengeance after halftime.
"The game was a stage, and it was set for me to do what I always wanted to do," Davis said. "I couldn't blow that opportunity - you dream of doing that."
When the Broncos needed points, Davis provided them. With the game tied at 17 late in the third quarter, he scored on a 1-yard plunge. In the final two minutes of the contest, Davis reached the end zone on another 1-yard run. This broke a 24-all tie and held up as the winning touchdown.
Davis was voted the game's MVP, earning that famous trip to Disneyland.
"I could have gone out on a season like that," Davis said. "If I had been 32 or 33, I would have retired. But I'm young and have a lot of football left in me."
Davis said he's excited to start the next season, especially with Denver quarterback John Elway returning for one more year.
"I wasn't sure what John was going to do, but I was hoping he'd come back," Davis said. "I was thinking the worse and hoping for the best."
With the team virtually intact, Davis believes the Broncos are able and willingly to defend their title.
"It's tough to come back and do what we did last year, but I think we can do it. In fact, I know we can," Davis said. "Our confidence is high, but it's a matter of wanting it and concentrating."