The life of a NFL running back is a grueling one. When you win back-to-back Super Bowls, rush for 2,000 yards in the span of two seasons and get crowned the NFL's MVP, the duty becomes even more taxing. Therefore, when it's all said and done, the temptation to throw in the towel has to be pretty enticing. However, for Terrell Davis, the thought of giving up on fitness never crossed his mind.
In his seven-year NFL career, Davis became one of the most decorated players in the league's storied history. The sixth-round pick out of Georgia went on to become the anchor of the Denver Bronco's backfield for two Super Bowl championships, taking home MVP honors for Super Bowl XXXII against Green Bay. With 2,008 rushing yards in his 1998 NFL MVP-winning campaign, the three-time All-Pro became one of just seven running backs in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. Like we said, taxing to stay the least. When the curtain closed on Davis' career in 2002, the running back's training regimen didn't decrease in intensity. Davis stuck with the programs he used during his NFL days, and supplemented them with programs like P90X and Insanity, as well as workouts taken from magazine's like Men's Health.
During Davis' days with the Broncos, the team employed what he called the best trainers in the entire league. Therefore, the only real alterations T.D. had to make to his post-career maintenance routine were placing less of an emphasis on lifting and cutting down a few reps here and there. As Davis put it, he was just looking to stay "reasonably" in shape.
Upon entering the league in 1995, Davis' penchant for staying in shape was set into place by looking up to veteran teammates like Shannon Sharpe, Steve Atwater and Ray Crockett. As a 23-year-old bright-eyed kid, Davis felt like he could do just about anything but in talking with Sharpe, Davis learned of the Hall of Fame tight end's use of acupuncture and massage therapy. Accorrding to Sharpe, the only way to stick around in the NFL other than performance was through the use of the proper game preparation and recovery methods. Davis adhered to the veteran's advice and and credits these practices for guiding him through his 2,008 rushing yard season in 1998, as well as back-to-back extended Super Bowl seasons.
"I would have a routine every week where I had three to four massages," Davis said. "I had a chiropractor on Tuesday and a biomechanic two days a week. All those things were things that I did as not only recovery but preventative measures to make sure my body could withstand a season like that."
When it comes to training days, Davis' gym bag is filled with all Nike gear, as well as Gillette Clear Gel deodorant. After all, every good running back needs the proper protection. Starting during his NFL days and continuing through the present, Davis fell in love with the fit and feel of the Swoosh's gear, especial the Air Max line. Since we are Sneaker Report we had to ask Davis what his favorite sneakers of all time are. His answer, of course, were Jordans. More specifically, Davis cited the Air Jordan I, III and XIs as his favorite models. Whatever the case, there just seems to be something about football players and their Jordans.
While Davis awaits a call to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton (his candidacy is one of hot debate), the running back currently serves as an analyst on NFL Network. Given the opportunity, we couldn't resist talking a little football with T.D. According to the running back, the games to watch this weekend are New England versus San Diego and Seattle at Philadelphia, with all four teams making a serious case for an extended playoff run. As Davis watches the games with his analyst hat on this weekend, know that the running back remains in the same tip-top shape as his playing days.
Stephen Fiorentine is a freelance writer from Long Island. He loves his New York Giants and Yankees, as well as Cool Ranch Doritos. Follow him on Twitter.
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