Deshaun Watson Quotes

As a kid, you'd look at all these guys in the NFL and almost idolize them.

The likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry at Chelsea, English players with proper status at a club, they're going to be like the dodo bird. Extinct.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Hines Ward, Marion Barber, and a host of other black stars help the NFL shine brightly week after week.

Growing up, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were the players I looked up to - and Carlos Tevez when he was at the club.

Ryan Giggs and David Beckham were the two players I've always looked up to.

When I was younger my idols were Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit.

I think it was fantastic being in the 49ers Hall of Fame.

You see guys in the NFL when you're younger, and you try to model your game after that.

My role models weren't holding steering wheels and mashing gears on Sunday. They wore burgundy and gold with names like Art Monk and Darrell Green.

Hey, you can't play football forever unless you're Brett Favre or Ray Lewis.

I loved Tom Landry and Roger Staubach.

I played with great teammates like Ronaldinho and Messi. I think they are two of the greatest players in the history of football.

My biggest hero was Roman Gabriel, who was the QB of the Rams, and Roger Staubach. Those were the two guys I tired to emulate when I was little.

I always idolized guys like Deion Sanders, Barry Sanders, Steve Young and the entire 49ers team, really. I was a huge 49ers fan growing up.

Paolo Maldini and John Terry are two of the toughest men I have met on the field.

It is wonderful... Steve and Dan took professional football to a whole different level with the way they played the game. The fact that Steve is going in with Dan is very special.

A Redskin is a football player.

My sporting heroes were Ken Jones, Stanley Matthews, and Cliff Morgan.

Peyton Manning's been my guy since the sixth grade. My cousin bought me a Tennessee Volunteers No. 16 jersey. He's been my guy since then.

Without a doubt, one of the toughest football players to ever play the game is Tom Brady.

I had some good OGs, from Charles Woodson to Justin Tuck to Antonio Smith.

I do not hate Andrew Luck.

I have all the respect in the world for the Patriots, and I respect Tom Brady tremendously.

I played 18 seasons. That's a lot. There is some that played more. Brett Favre I think played a couple more. There is a few. There is a few guys that played more, but not many.

It's special - when you start playing, you are aware of names like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie; you have seen them playing and know what great players they are. So it's fantastic to have a chance to line up with them. I'm really pleased with how that understanding has started off.