“Too often we are scared. Scared of what we might not be able to do. Scared of what people might think if we tried. We let fears stand in the way of our hopes. We say no when we want to say yes. We sit quietly when we want to scream.”

I don’t dream football. I dream the American Dream – two cars in a garage, be a happy father.

The Heisman is the biggest award I’ve ever won.

Nothing ever turns out the way people expect it to.

I quit because I didnt feel like the Detroit Lions had a chance to win. It just killed my enjoyment of the game.

I wish my teammates, coaches and the entire Lions organization all the best.

I’m a Jewish boy from Jersey. I was born with a strong sense of right and wrong, and a strong sense that the world can be a ludicrous, unfair, inhumane place.

If I could start with anybody, I would initially draft Tom Brady. Then I would go get Ray Lewis, and then maybe an offensive lineman, or somebody like Adrian Peterson.

I really love peace and quiet.

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in school, but I definitely didn’t have adequate time to reach my full potential as a student.

My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it. I have searched my heart through and through and feel comfortable with this decision.

In all the time that people have known me, has anyone ever heard me talk about the importance of rushing records or finishing with the most touchdowns? So if that’s never been important to me, then why would that be a motivation to keep playing?

To me, he has his own style. He doesnt remind me any more of myself than I did (other tailbacks). I did things to remind people of Tony Dorsett, but it was a different style. Hes a guy who can catch balls like Marshall Faulk or somebody like that.

I’m not better than anyone else. I’m not supposed to be on a pedestal. I’ve always stayed away from that.

Happiness does not come from football awards. It’s terrible to correlate happiness with football. Happiness comes from a good job, being able to feed your wife and kids. I don’t dream football, I dream the American dream – two cars in a garage, be a happy father.

It was a wonderful experience to play in the NFL, and I have no regrets. I truly will miss playing for the Lions. I consider the Lions’ players, coaches, staff, management and fans my family. I leave on good terms with everyone in the organization.

My mother was a huge influence on me. She was a living example of what a Christian should be. Her conviction, her discipline. She would rather see other people happy than herself.

I’m scared of the unknown future.

I’d always been scared of people with tertiary education and high intellects in case they found me wanting. I thought they viewed me as just a welder who knew a few jokes.

I get scared because I regard women as the most beautiful creatures in the world.

I am scared of running out of money.

I woke up when I was 14 and went to speak to my mother and scared us both to death.

I woke up one morning, went downstairs, said ‘Good morning’ to my mother and nearly scared both of us to death.’

I was really scared to stay home alone when I was kid, and I would freak out whenever there was a noise after my parents left.

Be scared. You can’t help that. But don’t be afraid.