New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings wasn't born NFL ready. Like many other kids who've laced up their cleats in Pop Warner, Jennings aspired to play running back. But for him, that was a goal just beyond his reach because of his weight. Jennings had to change his lifestyle.
Jennings drastically changed his workout routine and eating habits. The decision transformed him from being the kid eating junk food on the sidelines to the player taking snaps in the NFL. Jennings recently chatted with NFL Up! to discuss what motivated him to change, and what continues to motivate him to keep his workouts going.
What originally motivated you to begin working out?
RJ: Time after time, I remember hearing, "You're too fat, you're too slow," and all these other attributes are the reasons why I couldn't be a successful running back. So, I played O-line. They forced me to play that. I played fullback a couple times. Pretty much, I rode the bench my whole career into high school. I rode the bench to the point, man, that after we ran through the white paper and cheered and all that, me and my buddy just sat on sideline. I'd bring like Sprite and M&M's to the sideline because I just did not play. I was like the fourth or fifth-string running back.
There was a Tennessee scout who came to watch our first-string running back. He ended up getting hurt. Then they put in the second guy. He got hurt. This happened in the first quarter. Then the third-string running back got hurt. Then they put in a wide receiver before they decided to put me in. He got nicked up.
Eventually, they put me in. I find a helmet because I don't play. It wasn't even my helmet. First play, 30-yard touchdown. 14 plays, scored four touchdowns, two on offense, two on defense. And at the end, the Tennessee scout came up to me and said, "What's your grades like?" At this time, I had a 0.6 GPA. So I told him and he said, "You've got a lot of potential, get your grades right."
From that day forward, I made a commitment and decided to change and do what it took to be successful. I prepared even harder. I got my grades right. I transferred schools. I repeated my junior year. I took nine homeschool classes during the summer. While I'm doing all this, I could still remember being that little kid hearing, "You're too fat, you're too slow, you'll never be a running back." So, that's kind of a drive and part of the motivation for me.
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings goes through a unique workout regimen to keep himself fit. Jennings overcame many obstacles in his youth by establishing a new diet and workout routine. (NFL)
How has that motivation changed since you've been in the NFL?
RJ: Well, I never rolled out of bed and had all kinds of talent. I wasn't fast, so I had to learn how to run. I had to learn how to read. I had to learn how to train. I had to learn all these things because I didn't have that natural ability. I just had the desire. I appreciate it because I was forced to be inside of the details in order to become all of those attributes I was trying to become.
There's a quote: "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." I had to dedicate so much time and effort to it. I feel that when I'm on the field, I have the right to win. And that's something Tom Coughlin talks about, earning the right to win.
I have a huge desire to be a father, to be a husband and building a solid foundation for them. Right this second, that is the biggest thing. That's a huge drive currently, but never forgetting about all the obstacles that I had and the promises I made along the way if I ever achieved any success in the NFL.
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You mentioned before that you were overweight and asthmatic. How did that change your approach to getting in shape?
RJ: The doctor said that I'd never be able to play sports again. All I remember is crying, and I said, "How do I get rid of asthma?" He said, "You can't. The best thing is to take medication." And that was it.
So I told my mom that I'm going to outrun this stuff. I used to take my inhaler and I'd run and run and run and run till I could not anymore. I was about to pass out. I would take my shots out of my inhaler and calm down, relax and then the next day I'd do the same thing. I kept on pushing myself to the limits. Eventually, I just outran it.
What's in your workout playlist right now?
RJ: Who was I listening to today? There was this acoustic version of "Maps," Maroon 5. I listen to Chris Daughtry, then I flip and listen to some Breaking Benjamins. I'm pretty broad.
Nothing embarrassing?
RJ: No man. I'm never embarrassed.
RJ: No, I pull out some One Direction though: "You and I." It's a long playlist. It's a bunch of random songs that don't really have any rhyme or reason. Love motivates me, so I listen to a lot of music that has some subliminal messages of a fight for love. So any song that has some subliminal tie to love is what I listen to because that's what really inspires me.
What's something that you avoid as part of your diet but you really miss?
RJ: Vanilla, chocolate swirl ice cream with M&M's in it. That's still bangarang to me. That's just the best...with some chocolate chip cookies. If I could have that combo, I'd lose that battle every time.
Are you waiting till after the NFL to indulge?
RJ: No. I just make sure I do it the right way. But yeah, when the seasons over, I treat myself a little bit.
What are some motivational tips you'd give to someone trying to get a routine started?
RJ: The best time to start is always yesterday. Every sacrifice that you make is always worth it. We only have one body on Earth, so treat it well.
Rashad Jennings is a six-year veteran NFL running back currently playing for the New York Giants. He established the Rashad Jennings Foundation, which provides mentorship for individual success while promoting health and fitness worldwide.
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