AFL Q&A: Adrian McPherson
Published on March 24, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Indiana Firebirds rookie quarterback ADRIAN MCPHERSON continues to emerge as one of the AFL's up-and-coming young stars.
McPherson (6-3, 185, Florida State) is currently ranked second overall in rushing with 139 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games. He also ranks among the AFL's top passers with 1,023 yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Entering Week 8, McPherson makes his first appearance among the Top 10 fantasy players, averaging 30.3 fantasy points per game. In his last two games, McPherson, with the aide of new head coach MIKE WILPOLT, has not only directed the Firebirds to back-to-back victories, but has passed for 354 yards and six touchdowns (0 INTs) and rushed for 51 yards and another six scores.
The 20-year-old McPherson was the only athlete to ever be named Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in the state of Florida, a feat he accomplished during his senior season at Southeast High School in Bradenton. In football, he completed 217-of-355 passes (61.0 percent) for 3,727 yards and 42 touchdowns as well as rushed for 765 yards and eight scores as a senior. In basketball, he averaged 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists per game, including games of 59, 56, 52, 49 and 46 points in basketball during his junior year.
McPherson and the Firebirds (2-5) host the Grand Rapids Rampage (0-6) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. this Saturday at 7:30 pm. ET.
Q: When was the first time you ever played football?
A: I began playing Pop Warner football when I was about eight years old in my hometown of Bradenton, Fla.
Q: How does the AFL compare/differ from college?
A: The size of the field. I played against some pretty fast guys growing up and playing in college, so the speed was not too much of an adjustment; it's just a smaller field. I'm learning more about throwing the ball with touch instead of just using my arm strength to make throws.
Q: What is your pregame ritual?
A: The only thing I have to make sure I do is talk to my parents. We are really close and everything I do is for them, so I have to speak with them before every game. They have made it to almost every game so far, so it has been easy to see them and get some last minute words in with them. My mother is my stability and my rock to lean on.
Q: Do you play any other sports?
A: I play basketball whenever and wherever I can. Basketball is actually my favorite sport. I also played a little bit of baseball.
Q: What is your fitness schedule and eating habits?
A: I work out five days a week. I definitely eat a lot of junk food.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: I enjoy Rap, R&B, Gospel and some Jazz. I prefer easy-listening music over the hard-edge rap and that stuff. Music gets me in a state of mind close to relaxation. I don't really use it to pump me up the way other guys do. My listening habits are closer to meditation.
Q: What is your favorite sport movie?
A: "He Got Game." I love basketball and that is a great movie.
Q: Describe your characteristics on and off the field.
A: I'm just really laid back. I live in the (shopping) mall off the field and on the field I just try to be a leader, someone that my teammates can rally around.
Q: What makes you a good teammate?
A: Even though I'm young, I can be a leader both on and off the field.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: Playing football somewhere. Because this is what I love to do and I will work as hard as it takes to continue to play.
Q: Who is the toughest AFL player that you have faced thus far?
A: My Indiana teammate, DS ANTHONY DERRICKS. He's the best middle man in the League, so it helps going against him everyday in practice.
Q: What two teams would you like to see in the ArenaBowl this year?
A: The Firebirds and the Tampa Bay Storm.
DID YOU KNOW? McPherson's favorite recording artist is KIRK FRANKLIN because the music relaxes him; he uses his music like a meditation devise. His favorite food is Mac and Cheese, because "it is easy to cook" and he "never forgets the recipe."
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- AFL Q&A: Adrian McPherson - AFL I
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