Gurley interviews (vid link & article)

Todd Gurley driven to remain Rams’ humble superstar in Los Angeles

By Vinnie Iyer

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4702953-todd-gurley-los-angeles-rams-running-back-eric-dickerson?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Todd Gurley ran away with offensive rookie of the year in St. Louis. He’s about to become an even bigger sensation in Los Angeles.

That doesn’t mean the Rams running back has gone all Hollywood on us. Despite rushing for 1,106 yards in 13 games last year and having no knee injury from which to recover this offseason, he’s as humble and hardworking as ever.

“It’s been cool. Everybody’s excited about the move,” Gurley told Sporting News. “We’re in transition, just getting ready for the upcoming season. Hopefully we can get some wins, make a playoff run and give the fans something to be excited about.”

Los Angeles is going through a transition in losing hardwood hero Kobe Bryant. But the Rams, now armed with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and set to be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” are living up to their gridiron glitz. Gurley is aware of the new shine, but he’s looking to avoid getting caught in the glare.

“You try to stay away from it and block it out, but you want to embrace it sometimes,” Gurley said. “I definitely was blessed to have a great year like I did, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have another great one.”

When the Rams last had their heyday in L.A. some 30 years ago, it was fueled by Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, who rushed for an NFL-record 2,105 yards in 1984. Gurley already has generated some buzz with his potential to become the NFL’s next member of the 2K club, but it’s not like him to think in that (two) grand fashion.

“My teammates talk about that all the time, but I just want to work hard, keep grinding on the field and let everything take care of itself,” Gurley said.

Gurley has been compared to Dickerson with his running style, which has helped draw up that dream. Some of his favorite all-time great feature backs include Walter Payton and another who once blew up for the Raiders in the Coliseum, Bo Jackson. As a Ravens fan growing up, Gurley especially loved watching another one-time 2,000-yard back Jamal Lewis.

He also has great respect for his older contemporaries, namely Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte and Le’Veon Bell.

“I follow all the running backs now and the past running backs to see what I can take from their game,” Gurley said, with the goal of increasing his potential for explosive runs in Year 2. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league after he had 11 rushes for 20 or more yards as rookie, including a 71-yard touchdown against the 49ers.

Gurley talked to SN on behalf of Kelley Blue Book’s #DriveSmart program. He spoke to students at Inglewood High School on Thursday, teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

It didn’t take long for Gurley to learn the challenges of Los Angeles area traffic as compared to other places he’s driven.

“It’s definitely a lot crazier, probably the worst I’ve been in,” Gurley said. “Coming from Atlanta to L.A, it’s definitely a lot worse, so you want to be distraction-free on the road.”

Driven to be even better on the field, Gurley appreciates the opportunity to be in a market where he can help inspire a lot more young people off the field.

“It’s good to get stared in any community. We’ve having the new stadium built in Inglewood, and it should be good. Hopefully, these kids can a chance to see us play this season.”

No matter who the Rams draft as their quarterback, Gurley will be their biggest attraction for a long time