Willie Parker
Willie Parker
Willie Everette Parker, Jr. is a retired American football running back who played for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. After playing college football for North Carolina, he was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
ProfessionFootball Player
Date of Birth11 November 1980
CityClinton, NC
along arm came expecting guy helped saw took type
When I came here, I wasn't even expecting to play. He (Bettis) was a type of guy who took me under his arm and saw something in me and he just helped me out along the way.
call crazy destroy explain feeling good knew phone
I can't explain what I was going through at that time. I knew I was doing some good things on the field, and I was feeling really confident, but I also knew that one phone call could destroy all of it. Like I said, I had confidence, but there's also this feeling you have. It's a crazy feeling, one that isn't very fun.
bowl dream game north starting super
This is just a dream come true, to be at the Super Bowl and starting in a big game like this. At North Carolina, I really couldn't even get on the field.
crying
He had me crying every night. He's too much.
room saw stay time training
I was in the training room and that's the first time I saw ESPN. I stay away from it.
room saw stay time training
I was in the training room and that's the first time I saw ESPN, ... I stay away from it.
eyes hits name open
I really didn't take any hits in college, so my career's really just beginning. I had to make a name for myself, open up some eyes that I can play.
watching
Man, watching Jerome all day long, he just is what he is.
filling guys looked looking player ready role starting though
I always look at myself as a role player anyways, so I wasn't looking at myself as the starter, ... Even though I was starting I looked at it as though I was filling in. When those guys got back I was ready for whatever.
fourth yards
I probably should give him a fourth of my yards because of what he's done for me.
dreaming hope
I've been dreaming about this chance. It should be interesting. I just hope we live up to the expectations.
accolades defensive gets happy offensive team
More interviews, ... I'm just happy for this team that we got a win. The accolades will always be there. It's not really about who gets offensive awards, defensive awards, it's about the team and the win.
emotional hole lead moment rushing supposed took
That play was supposed to go left, but the hole was so big to the right that I took it. I never thought I would lead the Steelers in rushing or get 1,000 yards. It's an emotional moment for me.
nice
It would be nice ... But it's not about me, it's about the team.