In this interview, we interview Ahmaad Galloway, Former Alabama and Broncos Football Player. Ahmaad played four years at the University of Alabama. In the spring of 2003, Ahmaad Galloway was drafted in the seventh round by the Denver Broncos.
Contributors
Justin Riley – @JustinRiley7
Santiago Leon @sleon
Show Notes
-1999 SEC Champion
-2000 & 2001 Academic All-SEC selection
-Winner of the “Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award”
-Member of the Denver Broncos, Las Angeles (San Diego) Chargers, Scottish Claymores, and Frankfurt Galaxy
High School:
-Originally from San Diego
-Moved to the Memphis, TN area
-played at Millington High School
-Two-time All-Region, All-Metro, and All-State selection
-Chose Alabama over Nebraska, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Florida
- You chose Alabama during a rebuilding period over some big names at the time: Nebraska, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Florida. No one would have faulted you from going to any of those schools. What made you feel like Alabama was the clear choice?
-One of the reasons he chose Alabama was because of his best friend, LB Victor Ellis, who also decided to go there. He felt that Victor could hold him spiritually accountable.
Alabama:
-Redshirted in 1998
- When you set foot on campus, Alabama wasn’t what the modern day fan is now experiencing. We were rebuilding in Year 3 under Mike Dubose. What was the atmosphere like for you at that time?
- When you arrived, who invested in your growth spiritually and on the field?
-Played sparingly in 1999
-Won the SEC Championship in 1999
-Breakout season was 2000
-Alabama was favored to win the National Championship in 2000, but something went horribly wrong
-Head coach Mike Dubose was fired
-Ahmaad started the season out strong. He erupted against Vanderbilt for 172 yards and a TD - Many felt that Shaun Bohannon was going to be the next star in the backfield coming into the 2000 season. However, you quickly emerged as the feature back in the offense. This was very apparent against Vandy when you rushed for 172 yards and a TD. How were you able to become “the guy” in that Alabama backfield?
-Alabama finished with only 3 wins in 2000 after such lofty expectations - Expectations were high for the 2000 season. Many experts believed we would win the national championship. Instead, things went horribly wrong. Not only did we not win the national title, but we finished with only 3 wins. In addition, Coach Dubose was fired. What do you feel went wrong that year?
-Mike Dubose fired
-Dennis Francione hired as the new head coach - In 2001, when I walked out of the weight room at the old aquatic center after a workout, I’d pass by the practice field. For the first time in a long time, I felt energy coming from the players. I heard y’all hollering and cheering each other on. What was that transition like from Mike Dubose to Dennis Francione?
- That season, we had a lot of close losses, but then the Iron Bowl happened. No one expected us to win. However, Andrew Zow, Santonio Beard, and you had a different plan. Y’all went off! We won 31-7! Can you describe that experience?
2002 Season:
-Alabama was placed on probation and a bowl ban
-Alabama was loaded that season and had the opportunity to do something special
- Even though the team was placed on probation, it seemed like it didn’t matter. Most programs would have not been motivated. It wasn’t that way for y’all. What kept that fire strong even though we couldn’t play for anything other than pride?
-Off to a great start
-Barely lost to No. 1 Oklahoma in Norman
-Destroyed a Nick Saban-led LSU in Baton Rouge 31-0
-Upset Tennessee in Knoxville 34-14
-Against USM (Game 3), Ahmaad Galloway tore his ACL/MCL was out the rest of the season - Alabama was rolling. We had a special season in the making. Then, Game 3 against USM happened. You tore your ACL/MCL and missed the remainder of your senior year. What was your mindset at that point and how did it test your faith?
- One thing that stood out to me the most about your injury, you didn’t waiver on being a leader. A lot of people in your position would have allowed their circumstances to hinder their role as a leader. What made you different?
NFL:
- Heading into the 2004 NFL Draft, what were scouts telling you? Were they optimistic despite your injury?
- How much were you able to do at the NFL Combine or Pro Day?
-Drafted in the 7th Round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos - You slid to the 7th round, but were picked up by the Broncos. You had quite the task ahead of you with a crowded RB room: Garrison Hearst, Reuben Droughns, Quentin Griffin, and former teammate Santonio Beard. Knowing that, what was your mindset going into that situation?
- Who was instrumental in your development at the next level?
-Played 2 seasons with the Broncos with stints in NFL Europe (Scottish Claymores, Frankfurt Galaxy)
-Traded to the Chargers - A lot of the chatter that I was hearing was that you were the future of that Broncos backfield. The Broncos were supposedly happy with you, but they traded you. With that being said, what led to your departure from Denver?
Coach Galloway
- You were out of the NFL, but then God opened the door to coaching. Why do you think He led you down that path?
- What takeaways did you have from Mike Dubose, Dennis Francione, and Mike Shanahan that you incorporated into your coaching style?
- What lessons from your own personal experiences with the game are you trying to get across to your players?
Educator/Teaching:
-Now a dean at Workman Middle School in Pensacola, Florida
- You now have transitioned from being a coach to a dean at Workman Middle School. What led you to that profession?
- What is so special about that age group of kids?
- We all know Ahmaad Galloway as the player. Who is Ahmaad Galloway the educator?
Rapid Fire:
- (From Marvin Constant) How many pet snakes died before you gave up on the dream of being a snake owner?
- (From Audience member Ryan Weed) How would you have prepared better before that injury happened, if you had it to do all over again?
- Which NFL Europe country had better food, Scotland or Germany?
- What does Ahmaad Galloway look like in a current Alabama/Steve Sarkisian offense?
- What current Alabama RB would you compare yourself to?
- Who did you want to beat the most at Bama, Auburn or Tennessee?
- Who was faster, Santonio Beard, Shaun Alexander, or you?
- Who makes better BBQ, Memphis or Tuscaloosa?
Which Alabama football player has impressed last season
Predictions
Poll Question
Which is your favorite Milk Chocolate? #NationalMilkChocolateDay
Hersheys- 43%, Lindt- 18.8%, Godiva- 25%, Dove- 12.5%
Ahmaad- Hersheys
Justin- Hersheys
Transcript
Ahmaad Galloway
And then we’re all searching. At that point when we were searching, it was not a good feeling. You know, you look at you look to your brothers left and right. But you didn’t, you know, we weren’t in order. And so, you know, we had some rebuilding that we had to do. First we had a new coach come in and kind of put some patches on things for a little while, but it’s just great to see where guys are now. You know, in terms of where we were, where the where the program is now, you know, we’re certainly not where they are now.
Santiago Leon
How was the coaching staff when you first arrived?
Justin Riley
Young, you know, yeah, the young Dabo Sweeney, you know, yeah, veteran and IB Williams
Ahmaad Galloway
you know, you have a veteran on an IV Williams, but again, on the defensive side, some of the coaches are still kind of young. And so I do think there was a point where we really didn’t have an identity, you know, for this to be running back to you, as there were times when we were lining up back then
Justin Riley
live, when that wasn’t our identity. So it’s just a lot of a lot of tough times. You know, I think we had a lot of good ideas, but, you know, no real identity when john alexander left,
Santiago Leon
I was novel back then.
Ahmaad Galloway
Young, great. The drills that I’ve used throughout my career and in terms of coaching, which is funny, because anytime I’ve ever coached, I always take receivers. And I think that’s one of the things that helped me get drafted, is that I had hands, but I would always go through dabbles drills. So you know, Dabo was just a really good guy. You know, he was young at the time didn’t deserve To be in the line of fire that he was put in, but in terms of just a technician, he was he was amazing. His drills were good. He was always well prepared. But you know, I saw very useful coach Sweeney at the time. I can see now we’re being a head coach certainly wears on you a little bit. No doubt.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, of course we did win the SEC championship in 1999. But I really wanted to kind of start focusing on when it was your time there. manufacture that Shambo Hannon was going to be the next star in the backfield coming into that 2000 season. However, you quickly emerged as the feature back in the offense. That was definitely a parent against Vandy that year when you rush for 172 yards and a touchdown. How were you able to become the guy in the backfield that year?
Justin Riley
Well, I just you know, at that point, you know, it’s funny because you know, as I was a junior in Tennessee, I always heard about this guy on the west of the east side of town. The CNA sample and it and then I get there and I’m playing with them. But, you know, I saw there was a time where bohannan sat out the spring, I think due to academic reasons of which that was the time I won my second spring MVP, and that just wanted to make a statement that year. You know, it’s hard for me to allow a guy and we’re good friends, but it’s hard for me to allow a guy to start in front of me that been there all spring. I completely understand that course. You know, expectations were pretty high for the 2000 season. You know, may experts believe we went would win the national championship. Instead, things went horribly wrong. Not only did we not win the national title, but we finished with only three wins. In addition to that Kosta Bose was let go, what do you feel with rolling that year?
Ahmaad Galloway
You know, you know what’s ironic is when I look when I look back at it statistically, I think that was my best season. So I, I don’t think you should have been we no longer have a son Alexander. I think he should have been well we are the next 220 round pound running back who’s adult Walker semi finalists? Let’s be feeding. I don’t I you know, I just think our offensive game plan change. We had a ledger file and player and pretty millions, but I don’t think we were quite a five wide team. I do think we should have been more of a downhill running. And
Santiago Leon
that year obviously said you know was your best year which game was your most memorable game that season?
Ahmaad Galloway
Well, to me the most memorable game would be the Vanderbilt game. Because the first play of scrimmage you know, set the tone which, you know, that was the first play of scrimmage. I should have had 20 More Tears like that.
Justin Riley
I don’t think in my time at Bama have ever had games you know 10 to 12 pairs.
Santiago Leon
Are your thoughts about the coaching fired? Like, was that something that it had to be done?
Justin Riley
At the time, just because the order of the program, you know, there’s a great discipline, a great expectation that comes with, with playing at Bama and we were far off, we were far off the path. Right. And, you know, in 2001, I remember walking out of the weight room at the old Aquatic Center after work out and I’d pass by the practice field pretty regularly. And for the first time in a long time, I really felt energy coming from the players. I heard y’all hollering and cheering each other on. What was that transition like from my elbows to coach frangioni. We were just excited to have the expectation set upon us from but at this time, it was from an outsider. And so even as an outsider, the expectations were set a little higher, but they were You know, FCC type standards, if you know what I mean. Um, that season you know, we had a lot of close losses, but I saw improvement game after game. But then the arambol happened at Jordan hare. No one expects us to win. However, Andrew, San Antonio, and you had a different plan. Matter of fact, y’all went off. We went and we won 31 to seven. Can you describe that experience for all the listeners, especially those of us who really enjoyed that game? At that time, eyeline which was the you know, Wesley bread in Japan goes down on the season a little bit. And so they were firing off the ball, great run blockers. But, Lord, you know, holes were there all night, which you know, as we as we were able to get down hill and run the ball effectively that night that opened up the passing game but you I just I just think we were we were a scrappy team. We wanted to win. We came out, firing on all cylinders. You know, that night any any one of the four running backs in the stables that could have rushed for 100 or better?
Santiago Leon
Oh, one season I’m on how would you rate that season for yourself compared to 2000? And I’m sorry, how would you rate yourself for the 2001 season compared to 2000?
Justin Riley
I do think my junior year is the focus was a little bit more on the one game. But I do think that that final year, you know, we were set when we were rotating backs, which was fine by me. I do think my senior year is when I finally said, Hey, I gotta read for 12 to 15 before I get out of here, and I think I was on the path But that this is like transition to your senior season course. We were placed on probation and a bowl ban at that time. You know, even though the team was placed on probation, it seemed like it, it really didn’t matter to you guys, you know, most programs would not have been motivated at that point. It wasn’t wait for y’all what kept that fire strong, even though we couldn’t play for anything other than pride? I mean, if you just said it, I mean it is Alabama. And so it’s hard not to get up for game when you’re playing at Alabama. You know, spring games are sometimes the most memorable. Okay, because we’re trying to beat the snot out of each other for playing time and position. But when you’re around that crowd, I mean, the energy that you feel the love the support, I mean, even coming up with three and a season. I mean, you feel like you do all the fans something No, no, no. Man, of course, you know, we got off to a great start. We didn’t win at Oklahoma, but I mean, it still kind of felt like a victory because we’re on the right track. We almost upset them in their own house. And later on that year, we we destroyed a Nick Saban led LSU in Baton Rouge 31. And up and of course, we had a special season the making, then gang three against us. Same happened, you tore your ACL mcpl and miss the remainder of your senior year. What was your mindset at that point? And how did it test your faith?
Ahmaad Galloway
Well, at that point I set out to try to see if I could come back from injury. You know, that was a big challenge for me, you know, y’all as an athlete, you always want to go out on your own terms. But the, I guess the most disappointing thing was just I didn’t didn’t end on my own terms. And so, from a faith standpoint, you know, kind of just sit back and as either Getting ready for the combine getting ready for the draft, knowing that you’re a little bit at a disadvantage, you know that for the first time you’re vulnerable so that wasn’t a great feeling.
Santiago Leon
Can you tell us like a process you know, I’m heading towards like the NFL Draft what were scouts telling you?
Justin Riley
In my mind free agent up late, late in the round, you know, just because of I didn’t necessarily I didn’t run at the combine. Top End speed was always question. I ran at my senior pro day and had a great 20 yard and pool my quad so I really didn’t know. I didn’t I didn’t play. I didn’t play in the senior bowl. So, you know, it was just kind of it was a mystery. I there was good back that didn’t get drafted that year on Instagram out of Florida did not get drafted. San Antonio didn’t get drafted. uh you know to get drafted at all was just you know an honor and a shock is something you did he slid to the seventh round and you were picked up by the Broncos. Gorgeous Yeah, they were not short on talent that year. You had quite the task ahead of you with a crowded running back room garrison Hersh, Rubin drones, Quintin Griffin. And like you said, your former teammates, Antonio beard, knowing all that what was your mindset going into that situation?
Ahmaad Galloway
Just compete. You know, at that point, I wasn’t even quite healthy. But I just went in with a compete mentality. I had trained with Derek hertz over the going into the combine. So of course, he’s coming off with a second ACL injury, which he’s won Comeback Player of the Year twice. So just get a chance to compete and see how he rehabbed himself from that standpoint.
Justin Riley
You know, I had sec guys that I’ve trained with so I just I felt like I was gonna make that squat. And so nonetheless, I Shanahan the guys called me in and then didn’t put me on IR at the
Ahmaad Galloway
very physical frame. And so they I was fortunate to be kept on the roster for a year.
Santiago Leon
Ahmad, how was the rehab process at the time? Has modern science improved? Like has it like improved since then?
Justin Riley
I think it has, of course, my first year coming up. My first game X was really in Glasgow, Scotland, the weather was great, mostly. So I never really felt like I was healthy that second year. When they say that he imcl a two year injury. I really felt explosive again. And so you know, the way the athletes are now, it’s not a secret. It’s not a career ending injury. You know, guys can bounce back from it. But I do think in terms of being an athlete and phenomenon and freakish I had my limitations so that’s why I don’t think I had the career after that. Who was your closest brother?
Santiago Leon
When you were at the Broncos like who like who are you really close with?
Ahmaad Galloway
Mike Anderson, Mike Anderson and Clint borders are gonna be the guys that that I dealt with the most.
Justin Riley
I’m trying to think Yeah. Mike Anderson and Clint borders
Ahmaad Galloway
clinic pourrez Wow. He’s a legend. No. And then our Wilson our because we’re from Berkeley around the same area. He’s right outside of Memphis.
Justin Riley
I do want to talk about your time with the Broncos. You know, a lot of the chatter that I was hearing was that you were the future of the Broncos backfield. They were supposedly very happy with you and it’s really building up you have as to be the next God then all of a sudden they decide you know, we’re going to trade into San Diego. But with that being said, what led to your departure from Denver is I’m still scratching my head about that one.
Santiago Leon
Me too.
Justin Riley
I’m just gonna when I look at it if I had to choose I wasn’t a time when we didn’t around a lot of one back set. And a lot of the a lot of the different running backs, excluding Clinton borders, which you know, he’s a 100% tailback. A lot of those guys can play tail and fullback and I had no wants or desires of playing the fullback position. You know, a coach put me in a fullback in San Diego and got brave enough. And I went in there and go block the fullback and jumped out the way and he said Galloway, you’re gonna get somebody hurt. I said, but yeah, but it won’t be me. And so I just I’ve never wanted to play. I’ve never wanted to play that fullback position
Santiago Leon
and go Yeah, go ahead, Justin. Go ahead.
Justin Riley
I was gonna circle back to your time in the NFL Europe. You know, you mentioned your Tom and Skoll and you know, that’s actually a place on my bucket list that I want to go to. Can you kind of talk about your time there? And do you really feel like your time spent in the NFL Europe really made a difference in your development? And do you think what was so successful successful about the NFL Europe formula as opposed to? Well, we got from the ATF or the NFL.
Santiago Leon
Alliance,
Justin Riley
I think the history of the NFL Europe and then the first year, I wouldn’t fight healthy. I don’t mean so like I said, a bit started that second year. It was a very good season for me by I’ve got my competence, but you know, and just to have the back from the team, put on my back, just felt good again, you know, I felt like, you know, I’d recover fully from my injury and dad’s gonna be honest, at that point, I was really ready to get out of football, but I enjoyed the experience. I I think I stretched a little bit that first trip around in Scotland. But even you know after being released and things like that, I said I was going to German. It was a place that I really wanted to play the first year because it was not as rainy. And so I really made the most out of Germany. You know, they were used to good running backs coming through with skip pics. I think Curtis Alexander even played there. Yeah, so they were used. They were they were used to it. And so I just I really took Frankfurt Germany in
Santiago Leon
a mine NFL Europe of course isn’t our memories. I know Kurt Warner came out of there. Um, what level? I mean, what would just I mean, how would you describe the height like the level of play with NFL year was at high level with the NFL or was it like one step down?
Justin Riley
I was maybe two steps down. I mean, you know, every now and then they have a national player that they put, you know, on the field. And so, when you when you look up as a tailback, and, you know, the last name of the lineman is good to go and feel like, well, this, this looks a little different. And so, you know, you’re used to seeing American style line and versus, you know, some guys that are from other countries that are not as big. The the physical aspect and the speed is a little bit different. But But guys that were tuning up, it was it was good practice. I think what makes what made it better than the AFL. Again, it was just the history and the structure of the league.
Santiago Leon
And was so was like the league mostly, you know, was a mostly us players or was it more like European players when you were in it?
Justin Riley
It was it was mostly us players, but, but just being honest. You know, some of those Though a lot a lot of the guys that were there weren’t even the big guys when they were on campus. You know that they were just fighting to make a team. You know, so when you’re when you’re playing in the NFL everybody was a big man.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, so while you were there was that a? I mean, was your feeling was like a whole lot of these players had a shot to play for like the NFL or was it like, only like 2%? Like, I mean, like
Ahmaad Galloway
you’re saying, exactly right. Yeah, you’re saying it exactly right. I looked around and said hey, which which, which? In turn made me look at it like a vacation. Oh, wow. I said hey, maybe only 2% of these guys don’t play. You know, I’m on my way out.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, yeah. Interesting because I talk about it with Justin a lot like you don’t see many players coming from the CFL to the NFL at NFL, Europe. Use her Kurt Warner and a few names but it wasn’t that much all right
Justin Riley
you know even even guy that tried to revive you know I played with akili Smith with my quarterback you know the big name out of out of Oregon and he never made it back I mean low I think Ron Davy was over there with you know the big arm big guy but never you know it no guys really ever got back in the league and lit it on fire.
Santiago Leon
You think like there should be a nother lordly you know maybe like NFL you’re or maybe the xfl like have that. That league for that. You know? How about that that that little Second Chance league or what are you thoughts about that?
Ahmaad Galloway
No. No.
Justin Riley
Outside of an arena league that these guys may want to pick up and do just because they know it’s arena. I don’t think there should be a league once you leave college is either in the NFL that you need. The worker job.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, I agree. I mean, Justin, I talk about this all the time. And I it’s like, it feels like if you don’t make it to the NFL on like day one, it’s like over.
Justin Riley
Right? I wish, you know, here’s the thing, you know, is it really over if you earn a degree, you know, and it’s, it’s, you know, the college experience shouldn’t be, hey, if you don’t make it to the NFL, it’s bust. You know, hey, it’s, you know, if you earned a degree, you know, what did you do with your time there? So, you know, it’s kind of catch 2020. So, but unfortunately, athletes are put in the position to where as soon as they step on campus, it’s either Hey, they’re playing in the NFL, or it’s,
Santiago Leon
yeah, cuz a lot of them, you know, don’t really put time and like education, right.
Justin Riley
And, and some of them don’t, but then some of them do who, when, you know, it’s, it’s like, you know, 12 years later In education, I’m like, hey, did did I really not make it? You know, just being honest. The seventh round, I’ve made more money in education and I bet than I did in the NFL. Right. I think I took on a $13,000 signing bonus which I brought home 11 maybe
Santiago Leon
this is a good time. Good conversation. I like this.
Justin Riley
You’re absolutely right. I think society really glorifies more. Were you able to go pro? Were you able to get that big, right? Yeah, but
Ahmaad Galloway
my English degree from alphabet and nevermind the English degree from alphabet.
Justin Riley
On the table, I put that on table like, I feel like I can compete with anyone.
Santiago Leon
I just, I just feel like
Justin Riley
the college experience and what you did at college really, to me it carries more weight. Because even if you don’t make it prone, like you said, You got that piece. It says I did something that not everybody can do. And then to what you did in college man, you’re remembered as a legend for the rest of your life and anywhere you go, you know, you’re gonna be held a high regard a lot of times it really helps you get into into job situations that normally may not have been, you know, available, but I really just feel like college is more of a special time and not enough weight is being put on that, you know, Hey,
Santiago Leon
I just did it.
Ahmaad Galloway
Right, right, right, right. Right.
Justin Riley
That’s the thing about Alabama, if you played Alabama, anytime that match your first string, second string, third string, you are remembered as an icon forever. That’s just the way our our fan base, you know, reacts. That’s how we treat our athletes. We there are you know, we’re all one big family and we make a big deal about y’all. You know, when we see when we see that’s just the way it is. That’s
Santiago Leon
the culture You think Nick Saban kind of like emphasizing players to focus on school or
Justin Riley
Yeah, I think he does this because he looks at it holistically looks at the complete player and the complete person and I do think that’s what makes the difference is when when you work like that on the field, you weren’t like that on the classroom. It’s just an expectation. Say that from a fan base. It’s not like you know, we have subpar fans, we have great fans who themselves have gone through the University are closely tied to it. Just well educated. So they have expectations because they know what a special place it is. For anybody,
Ahmaad Galloway
let alone the athletes.
Justin Riley
Right? Okay, so you’re out the NFL, but then God opened the door to coaching. Why do you think he led you down that path? Well, I’m just gonna use me honestly, just because I’ve always liked education. It was the way that I could Get in. You know, it’s hard telling somebody, hey, I don’t care what you tell them about, you know, Hey, my name is Mike Galloway, automatically they cut you off. They in their mind, they’re like, Hey, I know you’re that football player your data, they don’t hear anything about hey, I’m an English major. I’m the public relations minor and a Spanish major, minor. They don’t hear any part of that. And so, you know, I had to coach so I can get in and education.
Santiago Leon
And uh, my while you’re coaching Who was your style? I mean, like, like, how was your style? With coaching like
Ahmaad Galloway
anybody that could any one of my assistant coaches that could keep the practice going while I was somewhere getting my certification?
Justin Riley
I hear you. I really, I really, I mean, just being honest. I hate i was i was gonna push and being a head coach. I got I have no desire to do it. Tommy Timmy, you know a ball 1000 times and he catches it great. Every time. Doesn’t he greater than that? I mean, I got I had maybe four plays in high school, everybody in stadium knew I’ll get the ball. I mean, I, you know, there’s no schematic way that you draw. I mean, Derrick Henry was Derrick Henry when he was in high school. No what? No, no. Coaches made him more about academics. Yeah, these guys, you know, and then I’m about males and females. You know, the joke in a school is if you call me coach Galloway, I’ll go nuts because I never wear when I have on slacks. But I mean, it was my way in. But, you know, I found that other side of things. I’m just big on academic.
Santiago Leon
That’s awesome. And like the talent pool, when you coach I was back then.
Ahmaad Galloway
I saw players but I mean, you know, I
Justin Riley
didn’t see anybody that made me look like they look like me. No. You know, and that’s, that’s For me or gets me and when I say look like me, I take me out of the equation, think about some of the players that I play with finding those players are. Yeah. You know, you get excited you hear about a recruiting class. I mean, which the brothers that we got coming in on the O line, and that’s phenomenal. But I mean, finding these athletes, it’s just not, you know, can’t find it
Santiago Leon
easily.
Ahmaad Galloway
Right? I mean, where are they, you know,
Santiago Leon
needle in the haystack. Right, Justin?
Justin Riley
Pretty much. And you know, truth be told, you know, a lot of people put so much emphasis on recruiting class having the top, no class, our top five top 10 or whatever, you know, and the fact of the matter is, you know, a lot of those guys you know, they don’t really pan out like everybody’s projecting them to and you put added pressure on these kids. I say you really are and in what the sad thing is that kind of students a mob and before you know it, they’re not even thinking about school from an academic standpoint. Now they’re behind in credits you know that the smart guys are getting something done and graduate early and transfer some other but you never hear about the guys and they end up leaving don’t make it I mean out of out of a recruiting class of 25 that there are six that leave that you never hear about.
And you know now six to see six kids from small and small towns that have just walked away from an Alabama degree.
Santiago Leon
Have you thought about maybe being a mentor to these college players to pursue school and education?
Ahmaad Galloway
Yeah, I think is better suited from evaluate in the service myself. And so that’s the higher I get an education. I’m working on my literacy foundation right now that I do with the end. NFL players Association so that’s my next big push. And then it’s, it’s, it’s a big plus to have guys like john alexander come back around or Damien Thomas and you know, Clinton portis I’m the guy that hit that I could hide behind it as a bigger name that I’m still willing to help out to be good friends. lt
Santiago Leon
won the greatest running back of all time.
Ahmaad Galloway
Yeah. Great teammate, great teammate.
Justin Riley
Now you’re the dean at work in middle school. I want to hear your take on this to me when I was in education, I was coach I was coaching and teaching at home with middle and Birmingham, Alabama, and that age group accused was really special to me, but I really want to hear why you felt like that specific age group was special. I just, I really feel like at that age group, both male and female, you can point them in the right direction. Say Hey, young ladies, this is what a man should look like. terms of dating are his hands on his waist. So how does he, you know, how does that what are his mannerisms? What is the sound like? What is this conversation? Like? What are the type of things that he’s talking about? And I taught a model that both the male and female, you know that to tell the the males, Hey, guys, it’s not a locker room, you know. And so being able to point that out real early, you know, sometimes by the time you get them as juniors and seniors that are already formed, where you can write different things in the book from sixth to eighth grade. Yeah, you nailed it, you nailed it right there is you know, they’re in that transition phase of where they’re at across was roads, and they’re trying to figure out who exactly they are. And then by timing set, like you said, when they’re juniors and seniors, it’s already formed, but you really have a special time to where you can be responsible for them becoming just amazing young men and young women and it’s so critical for them to have a positive role model because now in society, they really don’t have that in the home. And I really saw that a lot when I was teaching and coaching. And a lot of my students and players were always coming to me because they just didn’t really have that leadership that they were yearning for.
Ahmaad Galloway
Yeah, but even even for those that do have it, in the realm of education, we’re still kind of placed in that world where we’re holding on to the higher moral standards, which is a good thing. You know, if we go away from that, heaven forbid, at which, you know, I think at one point, we were trying to find a way out, but when you sign up for that, you, you sign up for the entire package. You know, you realize, hey, where you teach when you’re in a neighborhood store that data raise your buying better behavior, right? You know, I’d be nine but, but it’s okay. You know, that you accept it and you teach kids or you can live like that. How neat is that? This culture right now? You know, they’re thinking, hey, if I live to be 35 that’s not really good. So um, yeah, you know, I, I never forget teaching down in Miami and I, I just I was in an older E Class. And I had a Miami student asked me you don’t have a farm?
Justin Riley
Well, you know, it’s a it’s a regular he claims it is or but I mean, where did you expect to see a Lamborghini outside?
Santiago Leon
know that I’m high school football or even college football should emphasize these players to get more into education may become a requirement, hey, if you don’t get a C or B, you can’t go to the NFL Draft like you think you should be pushed for.
Ahmaad Galloway
It’ll never happen. I mean, it’s just the best Jason’s been laid, you know, hesitation is kind of an afterthought. And so, you know, I do think you’re going to see guys become more educated, the more business savvy they get. You look at what Michael Jordan’s doing, look at what Magic Johnson is doing. Heck, you look at Patrick mahomes what he’s done now and having to ownership with the Royals, at some point is going to take a business mind to run some of the endeavors that you have going on in love with your friends and draw it up on dirt. You know, somebody’s gonna have to have an MBA somebody’s gonna have to have some management skills at some point.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, and also, with Shaq, you know, he owns like a percentage of the Sacramento Kings. I think having a business degree having knowledge on entrepreneurship, how to handle money. With finance, there’s a lot of opportunities out there and you know, like we were talking about before, I can see a Nick Saban really pushing for this. Well, he actually Oh yeah.
Justin Riley
I don’t mean to interrupt anybody, but he actually has been doing that for quite some time. Because, you know, I remember talking to Matt Odell and some other players and some people who are close to the team, while Nick Saban has been down there. He actually has executives and high ranking officers and companies come in, I don’t know how many days a week or whatnot, that happens, but they spend time with the players teaching them about life after football, teach them skills, preparing them for life, and just really investing in that guy. You know, who, you know what they’re gonna be like, after they leave Alabama or after the pros, and I definitely know he’s on board or something like that, whether it’s that way across the board.
Ahmaad Galloway
I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m at some point, though, that, you know, everybody’s gonna be a professional in something. And so, you know, the likelihood of that is not gonna be
Justin Riley
professional athletes The thing is, you know, I got a good friend of mine. He’s a guy who’s 26 You know, this guy is 26 with three different businesses who, you know, he wouldn’t believe it or not, but he’s lightyears in front of some guys that retired at the NFL. Oh yeah. She’s got an offer business client sale he’s been on it for he’s in his third year successfully. So you know at 26 you know, he’s he’s already you know, above Right, right. And so just getting guys to kind of not be so far behind the curve. You know, guy guys aren’t completing internships and getting hands on experience. When they’re college athletes. It’s just go to class with a little bit and then your hands on with football.
Santiago Leon
Well, there you have it, I suppose like this is an education subject. topic that’s pretty interesting to talk about. Obviously, we pay attention a lot with stuff But, Justin, anything else before we head into rapid fire?
Justin Riley
Yeah, there’s one more question. You know, we know Mr. Galloway, the football player who is Mr. Galloway, the educator
Ahmaad Galloway
just so mighty believes that in any any and everybody you know can can achieve I don’t you know, you know I hear people say I’m sure you have bad students if the students at this point that you know they’re still won’t be led even even you know, I tell you what, in 12 years I’ve never given below a scene I’ve never written anybody up. I just think the point of the matter is to be in class and step out of it. So that just I just have a good time Hey kids, reach their dreams whatever they are.
Santiago Leon
They’re having this hit into rapid fire quick questions quick answers. I’ll start with this Ahmad. How was a Drew Brees like
Ahmaad Galloway
great teammates great husband great father. By far, my most talented teammate I’ve been around I got
Justin Riley
a question I have been waiting to ask this just is from your buddy Marvin constant.
How many pet snakes died before you gave up on the dream of being a snake owner? Okay, we’ll stop. We’ll stop it for
Ahmaad Galloway
no one listening. Wait.
Santiago Leon
Who do you keep in touch the most from Alabama? Kenny Smith. Neely Wow.
Ahmaad Galloway
Kenny Smith by far
Justin Riley
What does Mr. Galloway look like in a in the current Alabama slash Steve Sarkeesian offense.
Ahmaad Galloway
Looks like a guy that won’t let his quarterback be touched by an opposing linebacker who I like to hear that
Santiago Leon
a mind which Alabama player impressed you the most last season
Justin Riley
last season
Ahmaad Galloway
Ruggs
Santiago Leon
for that a lot.
Justin Riley
Yeah, no, are not to another question from an audience member. How would you prepared better before the injury happening knowing what you know now I probably wouldn’t have stressed as well as I did feel the pressure coming into my senior year and I stretched a little bit but I mean, I had it in my mind that you know, this was it and I needed to get it done, but I just I just didn’t know what it was gonna be short that cut that short so quickly.
Santiago Leon
college football, which player was the best player that you played with and Against.
Ahmaad Galloway
The best player that I played with would be Chris Samuel the Sean Alexander against would be our Wilson.
Justin Riley
man and he’s right on point right there. Who do you want to beat most Alabama, Auburn or Tennessee?
Ahmaad Galloway
Auburn.
Santiago Leon
Wow. These are turnovers. And which fan base was the most annoying and still to this day is the most annoying for you,
Ahmaad Galloway
Tennessee.
Justin Riley
I mean, I completely agree with that. I know I’m gonna ask your harwin now, who makes better barbecue Memphis or
Ahmaad Galloway
Tuscaloosa question? I got I gotta go. I gotta go a Memphis on this one. I get I’m a homer.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, Memphis Memphis barbecue
Ahmaad Galloway
sauces is something that does You know it can’t be competed with. I agree with that completely.
Santiago Leon
From your four years of college what was the most memorable game?
Ahmaad Galloway
The Iron Bowl that year? I think it was faster.
Justin Riley
Yeah, I got one more. Who is faster? San Antonio beard. Sean Alexander, are you?
Ahmaad Galloway
Wow. Oh my goodness. Antonio Beard.
Justin Riley
Oh, wow. I wasn’t expecting that. He did have some wheels a
Ahmaad Galloway
match or three steps.
Santiago Leon
And who do you cheer for from the NFL? I wish to like the Broncos or the Chargers?
Ahmaad Galloway
A little both. Both, just because I’m from San Diego originally. Oh, gotcha.
Santiago Leon
Yeah. And your thoughts on Justin Herbert joining the chargers.
Ahmaad Galloway
I wish we would have went another rapper. Oh,
Santiago Leon
I could be proven wrong. you’re implying to attack a law, right?
Ahmaad Galloway
Yes.
Santiago Leon
Interesting. Interesting. Of course. I would just come
Justin Riley
right there with you. I was secretly hoping that Taco Bell would end up in San Diego. I just thought it was a better fit a better to feel. He understands the atmosphere over there. And my gosh, what he could do with the weapons, they have better options. Yeah,
Ahmaad Galloway
exactly. That’s what I thought.
Santiago Leon
And what advice would you give it to obviously, he’s a little bit injury prone, but what advice would you give them? Hey,
Justin Riley
go out there and just play. Don’t worry about the injury. Part of that. You know, you want to go out there and do what you’ve been doing. Work this long. Keep doing it.
Santiago Leon
something to definitely look at Of course, he’s here with the dolphins and we’ll see what happens this time. But um, have you heard anything about college football this season? Like the scheduling wise?
Justin Riley
I have not. I mean, I got a lot of people asking I have not I am a little biased because I’m, you know, I’m still kind of pulling my hair out if I could ever try to see what we’re going to do with the school and just do it in general. So right now I just a little bit secondary, right. And wasn’t
Santiago Leon
out of school this fall for you guys.
Justin Riley
Right now. Fine, is you know, we’re going partly in person and online with the district. But the way the cases are increasing daily, you know, I got to do a zoom meeting tonight. But I mean, the weather, the case are increasing, especially here in Florida. I’d be surprised if we’re if we’re going at all physically.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, I was
Justin Riley
just about to ask that I was gonna be interested to see how y’all were responding right now because I know how crazy things are. Florida. I’m in Mississippi and things are any less crazy and we’re all still kind of looking around trying to figure out what’s going on. Like you said we got to live the E learning in place. We are some school systems are allowing kids to come in and some football seasons are going on come hell or high water. Some have actually said said we’re not gonna have a season so it’s just it’s just crazy. Yeah, we’ll see. You know, I just I do I think we’re all in a bit of a standstill either. I think we’re kind of juggling until the next big and I hate for lack of a better term outbreak comes to fruition whether that be you know, the vaccine is here or some more bad news. You know, right now we’re just kind of all you know, wandering around like ants, if we close who we open, you know, it’s only a matter of time before you know there’s another topic on the on the menu. So I just got my fingers crossed.
Ahmaad Galloway
with sports and and school opening back up, you know, you know it’s only gonna get a little worse.
Santiago Leon
We’ll see what happens of course, you know play by air ticket week by week and of course we’ll hear more this week from the SEC in the ACC with the whole scheduling issues, Poll Question of the day what is your favorite milk chocolate and we’ll go with Ahmad
Ahmaad Galloway
Reese’s. Well,
Santiago Leon
our Hershey’s went go Divo. Or, like, yeah, or she’s lint or chocolate.
Ahmaad Galloway
Yeah, I mean, we gotta go Hershey. I mean, is there any other
Santiago Leon
dove chocolate my bed last? Oh, yes. Justin, what’s your choice? right
Ahmaad Galloway
come on,man. There there is no choice these other man
Justin Riley
No, she’s
Santiago Leon
43% lent 18% and who do you know go diva is actually going second then Lin then yeah that’s it no chocolate at all percent so though and of course you go head to our Twitter account and able to vote for your favorite chocolate milk chocolate because today’s national milk chocolate day. Ahmad Galloway what is the best way for people to reach you or Yeah, what’s the best way to reach you online?
Ahmaad Galloway
I’ll just I’m easy to find law. I’m in education, my network, the middle. I’m here in Pensacola, Florida. We have a Facebook page.
Justin Riley
It’s education. I’m there. You find me around the Bama games. The seasons began but I’m here in Pensacola Escambia County education.
Santiago Leon
And when will you join Twitter
Justin Riley
and Instagram?
Ahmaad Galloway
We’re gonna, we’re gonna figure this thing out. I say give me until the end of the week and then I’m gonna have
Santiago Leon
is there’ll be 10,000 followers waiting for you. At least.
Ahmaad Galloway
I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready.
Justin Riley
If you need help with instagram instagram account, I’m more than willing to help you out with that but I
Ahmaad Galloway
also want to take you up on it.
Santiago Leon
And Justin Riley, what’s the best way to reach you talk to you about your healing process with your back. Back is
Justin Riley
a focus man. Yeah, Monique, you don’t you didn’t know. A powerlifting meet last weekend I pulled a muscle my back my final attempt. Got the weight it counted but it came with quite a price. I am feeling better. Stay well. Stay spin
Ahmaad Galloway
Especially if please stay healthy it just forgive me I’m walking into a crowd of people but yeah, I think I’d stay healthy.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, I know we gotta go but Justin say your Twitter handle and your Instagram handle
Justin Riley
well first of all I want to thank you mom for coming home is always a great pleasure to have you on my favorite players when I was there, it’s just an honor to be able to learn more about you and your journey. As far as finding me here social media at Justin rally seven on twitter at Justin rally underscore seven on Instagram. I also contribute regularly to the sports cast at the sports cast one that’s the same for both Twitter and Instagram. Reminder next Tuesday, we will have a mas former teammate Terry Jones Jr. coming on so stay
Santiago Leon
tuned for that TJ and of course you can reach us at the sports cast dotnet the sports cast net on twitter at the sports cast one We have Shawn bar style all the way from the UK and talk about the mike tyson fight which I heard a mod is gonna is willing to buy us dollars
Ahmaad Galloway
I don’t know I don’t know about that I’m interested to watch
Santiago Leon
anyways Ahmad Any closing words
Ahmaad Galloway
No Hey God thank you Sorry I’m in honor you know really like what you guys are doing you know you’re helping us to stay relevant you kind of help us practice being young but guys just thanks for the support you know as as players we started to appreciate it but I think we must admit it as players we’re certainly fans of the program as well so keep it up guys. Thank you Ahmad. We should start a foundation on pushing these players to stay I mean to finish like their degree.
Justin Riley
You know, my contact information. So let’s let’s, you know, let’s get together.
Santiago Leon
Hey, Justin, any closing words from you?
Justin Riley
Now you just again, man It’s really excited that we had this opportunity, especially interviewing you as a player but also a man of God and later that you’ve been because of that, as always been very special for me and then the rest of us fans have had the opportunity to get to know you not only when you’re there but throughout the years and yeah, you will always be relevant us brother.
Ahmaad Galloway
Thank you guys. You’re making me because I think I think I’m gonna jump off the phone on that one. I appreciate you
Santiago Leon
guys. I’m on every appreciate. Thank you so much. Roll Tide Roll Tide. God bless.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.