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10 questions for ... darrell thompson
Minnesota's all-time leading rusher hasn't strayed far from the program. Executive director of a mentoring program in the Twin Cities, the former NFL tailback also calls Gophers games on the radio. Sports editor JIM ROSSOW tracked him down to discuss Minnesota's new stadium, Tim Brewster's Illini ties and Brett Favre.
Are you mad you had to play at the Metrodome?
No question I would have loved to play outside, with the fresh air and the game-day experience. I'm not afraid to say I'm completely jealous.
So you don't miss the Metrodome?
The only time I'd miss it is when it's really cold. But, no, I don't miss it. It's like the apartment you lived in when you were in college. It's nice to think back to those days, but you don't wish you were still living there. It was a nice, temporary place to live. That's all. The home you live in now is much better.
Is TCF Bank the best stadium in the Big Ten?
Yeah, it is. It's brand new. Would you want a Lexus from 2009 or an old one? Everything about it is really nice. Even the visiting locker room. The whole place was well thought out.
They tell me it's going to be 50 degrees Saturday. That's not right.
Weather is a little bit overrated. We don't play Alabama and Texas. We play Wisconsin and Iowa. Basically, it's the same here as it is there. We're not playing in any Southern state. We don't even go to Missouri. It's not that different here than it is for you in Illinois. Now the NFL is different because they play a month and a half longer. But I played in Green Bay for five years so it's doable. People just have to get used to it.
Tim Brewster is an Illinois grad. You haven't caught him wearing any orange and blue, have you?
No, I haven't. I think he's pretty much converted now. I think he's a good guy who is happy where he's at. He coaches hard, he recruits hard, he's got a bright future. People here really like him. He's definitely learning on the job and getting better every year.
Is it hard for the Gophers to get anyone's attention with Brett Favre in town?
Not really. You still get the attention you deserve when you win. That's when people come out, when you're winning all the time. If Minnesota was winning all the time, I could see Brett Favre coming to a game. He's that type of guy. I played with him for the Packers, and if Brewster asked him, 'Brett, can you bring a couple of the guys to the game to get my team fired up?' he'd do it. There's a good relationship.
What does it take for the Gophers to knock the Vikings off the front page?
I think a dominating win at home. Coach (Glen) Mason did a great job getting some great wins, but all of those were on the road: beating Michigan at Michigan, Ohio State at Ohio State, Penn State at Penn State. You beat those guys at home, let those home fans celebrate, then all those people start coming back every week.
Favre's 40. Ever think of making a comeback yourself?
Unfortunately, I have nothing left. If it meant just throwing the football, I'd consider it. But my job was running the football and getting hit. I'm 41 years old. That's not happening. (Favre) takes good care of himself, he's smart and he's tough. He's been able to avoid the big injuries, and he's been able to play with broken fingers, a hurt shoulder, a sore back. There are a couple spots you can play a long time in the NFL, and quarterback is one of them.
The Big Ten seemed to be a much better conference when you were playing. How does it get back its reputation?
It comes down to winning some bowl games. Last year, almost everbody lost a bowl game in bad fashion. That just doesn't work. The league, I think, has more talent than when I was playing. But it's been proven the Southern teams have shown a tremendous commitment to football. The North has to do the same.
What happens first, the Vikings winning a Super Bowl or the Gophers winning a national championship?
That's a tough one. I would say it's almost 50-50, but I'd have to lean to the Vikings because they have Brett Favre. They could maybe do it this year with some luck along the way. With the coaching staff they have, and the way they're recruiting these days, the (Gophers) are going to have a chance pretty soon.
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