Miles
Well-known member
- Mar 18, 2019
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The Lead
Over the course of a lengthy discussion with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his podcast, "The Dale Jr. Download," former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall touched on many topics — encouraging a focus on mental health, building his post-NFL career and several highlights from his football career.
One memory that Earnhardt asked about specifically was the moment that Marshall cemented his place in NFL record books, when he caught 21 passes in a 2009 game against the Colts. As Marshall looked back on it, he recalled feeling the performance was better than the statistical achievement.
"I love this game not because of the 21 catches but because of performance and being in the zone," Marshall told Earnhardt. "… People study people like you and I, right — like, how do you get in the zone? You see people out in the [Silicon] Valley and in tech companies, like, how do I get in the zone? Right? And so they're trying to build applications and build products that can help people get into that zone, which is damn near impossible. But this is a real thing."
In the midst of a third consecutive 1,000-yard season, Marshall had emerged as one of the league's best young receivers. He had neared this level previously with an 18-catch game in 2008, which put him in a tie for second place for the most receptions in a single game.
But Marshall could tell he could be even better.
"Before the game, I went to Michael Smith, who was reporting for ESPN at the time," Marshall said. "… I said, This is going to be the greatest game of my life. And I just took off. I said, I'm telling you now because I want you to report. I want you to know I said this before. I was crescendoing all week. I was tapping in. And what I was focusing on was being locked in on a moment and nothing else."
Marshall was undeniable in his focus, his drive and his performance. To some degree, he felt like JAY-Z.
"The entire game, if you watch that game, I get up [when] I get hit hard or I make an amazing catch, I'll just get up, flip the ball to the ref and I'll just walk back to the huddle," Marshall said. "I was actually channeling my inner JAY-Z at the time. JAY-Z was just ascending to something different, and I was like, Man, it's, like, effortless for JAY-Z. How he poses for his pictures, how he talks, the business moves that he's making. And I'm like, That's me and football. I'm gonna channel that. That was my swagger on the field that day."