Itโs always great to reconnect with Ravens legend Jamal Lewis, who joins Nestor 24 years after his Super Bowl XXXV run to discuss King Henry and Lamar running downhill before his Super Bowl day appearance in Baltimore next Sunday as part of Verizonโs Fan Fest and โWorld Biggest Viewing Partyโ coming to every NFL city for the big game.
Nestor Aparicio and Jamal Lewis discuss the upcoming Super Bowl events in Baltimore, including a food drive and a Verizon Super Bowl Fan Fest. Jamal reflects on his coaching career, particularly his involvement with high school football and his sonโs team. He praises Derek Henry and Lamar Jacksonโs contributions to the running game. Jamal also touches on the challenges former players face, emphasizing mental health support. Nestor reminisces about Jamalโs Super Bowl victory and highlights Jamalโs upcoming appearance at the Fan Fest. They both express excitement for the community events and the Super Bowl experience.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
Super Bowl week, food drive, Verizon event, Jamal Lewis, coaching football, Derek Henry, running backs, mental health, NFL experience, Super Bowl memories, Baltimore positive, Hall of Fame, player transition, community support, fan fest
SPEAKERS
Jamal Lewis, Nestor Aparicio
Nestor Aparicio 00:01
Welcome home. We are W, N, S T AM, 1570 towns in Baltimore. We are Baltimore positive. Iโll probably be smiling a little bit in this one. Having a little bit fun. We are doing a cup of soup or bowl during Super Bowl week. We begin on Monday, Acosta will be a fates, Tuesday, Cocos, Wednesday, State Fair, Thursday, Friday. Weโre going to end it at Cooperโs north in Timonium. Please bring out canned goods for the for the food banks, weโre going to stock local pantries in each community. On behalf of the Maryland Food Bank. Itโs all brought to you by wise markets and our friends at the Maryland lottery. Itโs giving me a chance to check in, and thereโs a big event happening on Super Bowl Sunday, Verizon is involved, and my wife is a long time horizon engineer and an employee. And theyโre they got all the stadiums in the league, and theyโre doing in Baltimore. And my man, Jamal Lewis, was tanning Glen Burnie the Verizon store about a week ago, and I found all these old pictures back we were a little bit younger, and Super Bowl year and nice guy awards, and I havenโt actually pictured me, you and Travis holding jerseys up on the day you were signed out on the backfields by the police place. Itโs now Stevenson University. Jamal Lewis joins us. I think heโs still in Atlanta. I know heโs coaching ball, um, with Ed Reed, amongst other things, and going to be back in town, I think, for the Super Bowl as well. Jamal, whatโs going on? Man, watching Derek Henry, every week. Man, Iโm thinking of you every week. I think of you, man,
Jamal Lewis 01:21
hey, man, itโs been awesome, dude. Itโs been awesome. I appreciate the shout out and everything. Um, my, sorry, my dog.
Nestor Aparicio 01:28
No kind of dog you got? I love dogs. Heโs
Jamal Lewis 01:32
a Aussie doodle. Oh,
Nestor Aparicio 01:35
look at that. Hey, yeah, he can interrupt us anytime. Iโm sorry. I got plenty of room for I got plenty of room for Aussie doodles on the show. All right, youโre doing the blocking now instead of running with the dog. Now looks
Jamal Lewis 01:48
like every time I get on the phone with the interview, heโs he just decided to pick up the toy, you know, on your lap, dogs so but no. Man, itโs been a good year. Man, itโs been a good year. Itโs been a busy year just with Derek Henry and whatโs been going on with the running back position and everything, man, itโs just itโs been great. You know, itโs been exciting, from the standpoint of my ninth my ninth grade son got me involved now, and, you know, in helping out with high school football, and got me back into it. And you see, we just brought in Ed Reed as our office coordinator, and he really wanted to do that. And he wanted to do offense. He wanted to do offense. You know, thatโs what he thatโs where he wanted to be. And and his son also plays as well. He plays, heโll be a senior next year. Great player, man. And you know, we just, we just see things. You know, that sometimes other people donโt, you know, and feel like we can go in and kind of help with the program and take it where it needs to go. And Iโm happy. Iโm happy out of his busy schedule, you know, he was able to do it. But,
Nestor Aparicio 02:51
well, I had Mike Nolan on. He was talking Dion. I had no idea Dion was going to go on and coach like this. And all of you had Mike Flynn on a couple weeks ago. All of you with kids. I mean, Anthony Mitchell, another teammate of yours, with Keaton, and what heโs done. I mean, balls in your blood, probably in the same way itโs in the hardball family blood, right?
Jamal Lewis 03:09
Yeah, yeah, you know. And all that time, you know, you know, as far as after ball, you know, after playing, you know, I spent a lot of times in the parks and and, you know, taking, taking kids to to different activities, which, you know, my youngest son, you know, football was one of them. So he just stuck with it, you know, and just kept going with it. So itโs just one of the things where weโve been doing it, and you donโt, you find yourself just going to the park and not trying to be that, that dad, but at the same time, you know, it just ends up falling into the fact that if you go on and youโre able to go and you play high school football, then youโre committed, you know. And we just want to give them the best opportunities, you know. So itโs good to see a lot of these guys out there just, you know, you just see one after other. Youโre like, oh, thatโs this kid. Oh, thatโs his kid. So, and they on the cottage level and playing, you know, in championships, you know, so itโs, itโs a good thing, man, itโs a good thing
Nestor Aparicio 04:08
for you. Your kids are freshmen, so youโre a, youโre on the four year plan for this. At least you signed up for this. Yeah,
Jamal Lewis 04:13
yeah, Iโm on, yeah. Heโs a freshman, you know, Iโve already been involved last year anyway. But, you know, just seeing things that need to happen or whatever, and making some moves and really just trying to help these kids get recruited, man, you know, thatโs the biggest thing, or, or just help them get noticed, you know? And thatโs what weโre thatโs what weโre doing. So
Nestor Aparicio 04:32
you understand n i l money, or do you know, I mean, your sec, I gotta ask, you know what? I mean, I saw you run, I saw you run the ball at needling back with T Martin. You know, when you, like, came in and I saw you play in college, the notion that theyโre paying the kids now, right? Like, I think all of us are, Beyonce had no problem adjusting to it. From what I
Jamal Lewis 04:53
can tell, no, no, because heโs, heโs marketable. You know, heโs marketable. He has, he has everything in 10. To recruit, even if they werenโt paying players, you know, he would be able to still recruit players, because he knows how to go out and how to get them in, you know. And heโs Dion, and heโs not, you know, heโs doing good, you know, heโs doing for the good of the kids, you know. And I know it because I was pretty much, you know, I knew about his little league team. They actually came to Atlanta to play us one time. And I was just amazed that, you know, we had a great program here in Atlanta. But when he came, it was just, it just seemed like it was just 10 times more, but it was more structured. It was just, it was ran like a protein, you know. So you know this and the success they was having, they just didnโt look good and didnโt have success. They had success, and yet, a lot of pro guys that was coaching with him and things that nature. So, you know, itโs not, itโs not surprising to me to see where he is right now. But, you know, I just want to see him continue it, you know, and just keep that passion. Alright,
Nestor Aparicio 05:59
look, man, I never had your jersey back in the day because I had my own. You know, used to see me in the jersey all the time back in the day because I sat up in the stairs. I had my own with my name in the radio station 15. People say 15 and a 70. You know, people say, Why? Whatโs 15 and seven is my race. I bought a legit oiler because I was, grow up a Houston Oiler fan. I go, I bought it. Getting legit. This guyโs going to the Hall of Fame, and you you ran the ball at a pretty high level. Tell me what you see in his game, and just in general, with running backs, because look, man, I have tape of you and me getting together at Super Bowls in Atlanta and some other places in recent years. And my buddy is Chad weaslings, an agent. He lives here in town. He comes out with rock and roll buddies. He represents Josh Jacobs. And, you know, the last couple of years, all of this, running backs canโt get paid. Nobody wants running backs. Theyโre not that important. We can have committee. We can go cheaper. We can get a fourth or fifth round draft pick and turn them into Terrell Davis and all that, instead of using a top five pick in your case to draft you, um, where are you in the running game, and what running quarterbacks have allowed in these kind of offenses to really gash defenses? And look, the Eagles might win the Super Bowl with a running game next week.
Jamal Lewis 07:12
Yeah, you know, itโs changed a lot, you know, because it is a passing League, you know, itโs a passing League, so you gotta have big on quarterbacks get the ball down the field. You know, when I was playing, it was, you know, you had the same thing. It was a pay it was, it really was more balanced, honestly. But then it just took off into, you know, just high powered offenses. And thatโs what sell tickets, you know. So itโs like, thatโs what it is. But I can tell you, as a, as a running back. You want a good passing game. You want a good passing game because it keeps, you know, it keeps you with a seven man box and sometimes possibly a six, you know. So it works because you got space, and you can run in space. You just need to be able to, you know, know where itโs going, and just be a good runner, you know, but at the same time, you know what Derek Henry was doing when you got Lamar Jackson, you know, heโs a threat. And more than just passing the ball as a quarterback, he can boot it, he can do certain things. So it keeps the defense a little loose, you know, whatever, and off balance, to the point where you got a 200 and probably 60 pound guy coming downhill, you know, itโs, itโs, itโs, you know, itโs crazy, because he can get a full head of steam and get going. And I love seeing him, you know, in the playoffs. And also, you know, those last games in December, where it was more of he was just, just getting it downhill. And, you know, itโs cold and, and he was just running that much faster. It was like he gets faster, you know, as the season went on, you know, whatever. And it was good to watch. But I think the way him and say, Quan is doing, man, they they really, they really help the the running back position, you know, from, from where it where it was.
Nestor Aparicio 08:59
Well, you get smiling when you start talking about running downhill, but you get this look in your eyes about it,
Jamal Lewis 09:04
hey, man, I know how he feels. Man, I know how he feels when itโs just, itโs, itโs just, he just needed it more. He just needed it more. He just needed it a little more. But of course, you know, I always said that, right? Just give it to me more.
Nestor Aparicio 09:17
How are you feeling? I mean, we all worry about guys getting hit in the head in this game we see, I mean, over the weekend, thereโs just, itโs a violent game. I donโt even mean Damar Hamlin is out there running around. I donโt even, you know thereโs some certainly, there are no cowards in this league. And for you to have played the game the way you played it, rules were different, tackling was different. Hey, I got hit in the head. Thereโs a tent back there, and thereโs testing and all of that. Iโve had you on, and I know youโve been outspoken everybody of your era, and I have former teammates of yours that have had some issues as well how you feel and people I always worry about, all of you, especially the ones of you that have always been nice to me from the minute you met me on the field, off the field, you won games, you lost games, you had problems on the field, problems. Off the field, life after but I want all of you to be healthy, because I know what you gave to the game. I was there every minute of your career here, before you went off to Cleveland.
Jamal Lewis 10:08
Yeah, man, itโs just one of those things where I think itโs more, more the fact of, you know, the beatings and all the stuff that you went through and how physical it was, whatever itโs the game, you know, it was the sport. But at the same time, you know, I think itโs more of the, the the, you know, Iโve supported, you know, mental health, right? So I think that thatโs made you that thatโs more of an issue than the hits upside the head, you know, itโs, you know, where some of these guys have came from childhood trauma and things that they go through, from the standpoint of, you know, you know, being a superstar, you know for, you know, 20 plus 30 years to you know, not being a superstar. So I think just
Nestor Aparicio 10:50
being a player and not being a player, that is, I went from being a media member to not being a media member, and Iโll tell you, it has been a wild mental adjustment for me to sit here and watch games on television and watch Mark Andrews not take the podium and not have like, itโs weird, but I say this the adjustments made, and itโs made for you as a player that you know thereโs going to be the other side, but you donโt think about that when youโre playing. And you can even have a lot of money and still just miss the routine of all of it and really find yourself in a bad way. And thatโs why, 25 years later, for guys like you, I love to see that youโre happy and out coaching your kid and living your best life and taking the money you made and enjoying your life because you worked hard you did, you know, yeah, man. And
Jamal Lewis 11:31
itโs just one of them things where, you know, thatโs, I think thatโs why a lot of guys do coach, or try to coach, you know, to be around it, have that structure, and, you know, kind of still be in that vein of what theyโve done for so long. And I think thatโs that, thatโs the major thing, man, and I think thatโs where guys deal with it most. And, you know, finding help and offering help and offering the conversation, you know, whatever. You know, thatโs always good.
Nestor Aparicio 11:59
Alright, well, hereโs why Iโm going to shamelessly plug for my wifeโs company and for our friends and for Jamalโs event as well. Jamalโs gonna be part of the Verizon Super Bowl Fan Fest. Itโs gonna be down at the stadium. Itโs gonna be all day, beginning in four for the Super Bowl. Tickets are available if youโre a Verizon customer, you get in on it. Jamalโs gonna be there. You get to meet legends. And I would Jamal, you Legend of me, mascot, cheerleaders going to be there, theyโre going to have food, thereโs going to be music, the gameโs going to be on. And, you know, Iโm a Verizon customer. Theyโve helped feed my family and my wifeโs family for all of our life. So I wanted to give them some love. I knew you were part of it. Iโm like, Hey, Jamalโs coming to town. I want to give you shout out. So here I am. Youโre coming in again. You do love me being with the fans. I mean, I thatโs why Iโm like, Jamalโs getting on a plane, coming up here and being his self. Is he always been
Jamal Lewis 12:48
here? I am. I love it, man. Itโs always a good time. This is going to be a good time because, you know, a lot of people have an experience going to the Super Bowl. And Iโm not talking about just going to the Super Bowl. Iโm talking about just going to the festivities and the things around it. And I think, you know, the NFL experience, you know, a lot of people havenโt experienced that, but I think this is going to to really, you know, be able to give people that feel like youโre at the Super Bowl, you know, and youโre at the experience and, you know, food and fun and music and everything else. This is a big thing. Itโs never been done, and itโs done in 33rd what every NFL city. So itโs going to be, itโs going to be good. Iโm happy to be there. I like coming to Baltimore, you know, everybody come out. Letโs have a good time.
Nestor Aparicio 13:37
I like it more when weโre winning. I like it better when weโre in the game. You know, right, right, exactly. So here we go, Dude, I booked all of this, and I have Flacco coming on this week today, as we take this is January 27 you may hear it on the 29th of the 30th, but I should have booked you on Tuesday, right? Because january 28 is, you know, I mean, it comes every year, and itโs probably right up there with your birthday or your, you know, anniversary childโs birth. But january 28 is a significant day in this community, Jamal, you know
Jamal Lewis 14:09
that, yeah, it is, it is. I think everybody feels it, you know, whatever. And you know, that
Nestor Aparicio 14:15
was a night dog. I mean, that was a night there in Tampa. Now that was something. It really
Jamal Lewis 14:20
was. It really was, I can remember just like it was yesterday, man. Itโs just, it was a good time. You see all the highlights. You see the stuff all the time, you know. And itโs you just get another memory and another memory, you know, so, but itโs a good thing, man. And this would be a good time. And itโs always about making memories. Man, on Super Bowl, dude,
Nestor Aparicio 14:41
I was sitting underneath of the pirate ship, so Stokely caught the ball toward me. Your touchdown at the other end, when you leaped in, was in the far corner. It was at that moment when that happened that I got up and said, Iโm going down to the locker room. And we just won the Super you know what? Iโm. Mean, so like having a good time. And that was a night there. I mean, I West Shore forever, 24 years ago tomorrow. Oh, my God, my hair got long. I love you. I miss you. Iโm glad youโre doing well. I would love to see you when youโre in. You know the crab cakes are on me if youโre coming in like before the game, let me take you out. Get you some serious crabs. Not all that South Beach Real. Youโre home now. Youโre barely carry the ball. Come on now. Jamal Lewis, our Ring of Honor mates, our Verizon celebrity of the the weekend for Super Bowl weekend, get on down to the stadium. Support the folks down there come back downtown. I need to say this enough, as a citizen, as a Baltimore positive person, the reason to come down to the party next week a you get tickets. Click. Itโs free. Itโs easy. Come on down, be a part of it. But more than that, itโs coming downtown and being a part of something downtown, especially when we got baseball ramping up. So get down and support the city the way. Jamal is coming back in. Iโll see you next weekend, Jamal, Thanks for always coming on. Itโs good to see you doing well. We have Joe Flacco coming this week. We have, we have nine Hall of Fame voters on this week. We have five former players, three former coaches, and a and a Super Bowl MVP in a pear tree, because Joseph Vincent Flacco is going to be here as well. Back from awards, weโre back. Got all the champions you you and Joe, back to back. I got 35 and 47 covered, and weโre going to be down at the ballpark next week to see maybe saquon Barkley, maybe Patrick mahomes. Weโll see how it is. Back for more Baltimore positive. Stay with us.