|
|
|
|
Daunte Culpepper Q & A
ABC Sports Online
|
In a special interview with Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper for Raising the Roof: Heroes of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, ABC Sports had an opportunity to ask questions about Daunte's professional life and his humble beginnings. Excerpts from the inteview follow.
ABC Sports: Do you remember Doug Williams?
Daunte Culpepper: I remember Doug Williams playing in the Super Bowl, and breaking the record for the most touchdowns in the game. I was a young kid, but I remember that. You know, James Harris, I have met him, a couple of times. I have spent some time with him. But I don't remember watching him play. I have heard a lot about him. Both of those guys kind of paved the way, and fortunately for me, I haven't been faced with any of the obstacles that they had to go through. Because of what they did to pave the way for guys like myself -- and the other guys that's black and -- and in this league now.
|  | | Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass
the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
|
ABC Sports: Do you think that the African-American quarterback, plays differently?
Culpepper: Hmmm ... I don't know. I think you get a certain type of player from a guy. But it doesn't really matter, I think about the color of his skin -- now, it doesn't. You want a guy that's going to be athletic and make plays. And if he is black, you got a black quarterback, there are a lot of white guys that could make plays, and that is very athletic at the same time. I am saying there is a hope, you know? That is not anybody out there that's going to make any judgments on a player, just because of his skin color.
ABC Sports Let's move on to, really, what sounds like -- for you -- what's really important ... parents and kids. It gives you goosebumps to see these parents who take some of these kids who, uh, wouldn't know where to go. The babies of color in particular just need somebody to love them. And you are clearly committed to this. What is your connection? Why do you feel this sense of community?
Culpepper: First, it is because I was adopted myself. Fortunately for me, I was adopted at one day old. I don't really remember anything but her, you know? It's almost like I was her own and that's how she treated me. There was a lot of love there. But, as I grew up, I found out that it was very important that I was adopted by somebody like that. It was very important for me to you know where I came from and to try to help this organization -- the African American Adoption Agency. It is important to me to try to get parents, or wanting parents, to get kids that need to be adopted.
ABC Sports: What about being adopted makes you the kind of human being that you are?
Culpepper: I have to give a lot of credit to my mom, Emma Culpepper, who adopted me. I am a direct reflection of her. She did the best she could raising me, with pretty much nothing. She was already just living off Social Security. The day she adopted me she was 62. Just that love that she showed me ... if I can give some of that to this organization, and try to help them out in any kind of way -- give 'em some visibility, or anything like that -- it's my duty to do.
ABC Sports: You also are involved in a program called the Esteem Program. What is that program about?
Culpepper: It is a program meant to make it positive for kids, for the guys, you know, coming along growing up. Give them a positive outlook on things, and let them know a little bit about about my background. I want the kids to know it doesn't always have to be like that. Just because you come up in poverty or a poor neighborhood, there are ways that you can make everything better with yourself. It doesn't have to just be athletics. It can be through school or through anything else. Just use your mind, and you can attain anything you want to.
ABC Sports: This is going to be a tough one for you. What would other people like, your friends say -- what's the best thing about Daunte Culpepper?
Culpepper: I don't know. I am a guy that just that just wants to be the best person he can be. Well, besides football, and everything else, I just want to be the best person I can be. And that just means being a professional person. Going out and just trying to do right -- just try to be the best person I can be. Everybody that knows me, and knows how I am, would probably say that.
ABC Sports: And the other side of that question is -- what would you say -- not what would they say -- is the best thing about Daunte?
Culpepper: I don't know. I guess just me being me. What you see, is what you're going to get. That's the type of person I am. And, you know, I think that's the best way that you can be with somebody. Just to be straight up, and let 'em know that's how you are. What you see is what you get with me.
|
|
|
|
ESPN.com:
HELP |
ADVERTISER INFO |
CONTACT US |
TOOLS |
SITE MAP
Copyright ©2001 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.
|
|
