Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
July 13, 2001

Henri, who played his first fours years in the league with Atlanta, has 6.5 career sacks. (Allsport)

 

Oakland Raiders RB Zack and Denver Broncos LB Henri Crockett talk about the upcoming football season and running their football camps for kids.

Zack, a runningback and seven year veteran, has played for Indianapolis, Jacksonville and now plays for Oakland. For his career, he has 690 rushing yards for an average of 3.2 yards a carry and 366 receiving yards for 7.6 yards a carry.

Henri, a five year veteran who plays linebacker, played his first four years with Atlanta where he started 46 games. During those four years, he had 6.5 sacks.

The Crockett brothers, who played together at Flordia State, also run a youth Football Camp. The camp is this Saturday, July 14th in Pompano Beach, FL.

Proceeds going to the Henri Crockett Foundation which benefits South Florida's underprivileged Inner City Youth. The Camp is open to kids 8-19 years old. For information call Joe Davis at 954-609-7955.

Zack Crockett: Hi gang. This is Zack with the Oakland raiders here to chat for a few.

Henri Crockett: Hey, this is Henri here to chat for a while.

Question: As brothers, how competitive were you growing up and how does the Raiders/Broncos rivalry during the season affect each of you?

Zack Crockett: As brothers we have always been competitive and we have an older brother who set the stage. So we had big footsteps in little league and high school. My older brother and Henri pushed me. As far as the rivalry it will be a doozy. He played with the Falcons last year and that was the first time we played each other. Now we play each other twice. It will really be something.

Henri Crockett: Growing up I didn't think it was too competitive. They set the stage and I followed the map. In Denver it is a chance for us to get together again. But on the field that all goes out the window.

Question: What is it like to have to play against each other now and during these games which team does your mom rout for?

Zack Crockett: She's split down the middle. Last year I thought she was more on the baby's side, with me in the middle. Each of us wants to win. Now we are on different teams, hopefully we can be on the same team sometime. But as a Raider I hope we can beat their back in! But it will be a good game.

Henri Crockett: I think Mom stays neutral. The most important thing is for us both to do good. When one of us loses, and we have to, she feels bad for us. It's different with your brother off the field. We're laughing. When you get your game face on and he's laughing it's kind of hard. But it's fun.

Question: Who's the best trash talker between the two of you?

Henri Crockett: Zack is the biggest trash talker.

Zack Crockett: He tries to intimidate with the look. I am more outspoken and Henri intimidates with a look, a facial expression.

Question: Who were your Favorite NFL players growing up and what players do you admire now?

Zack Crockett: When I was growing up there were 2. One was an unsung hero, Tony Nathan for the Dolphins. Another was Mean Joe Green with the Steelers. When he threw the jersey to the kid and all? I grew up watching him.

Henri Crockett: It is a funny thing. Cornelius Bennett. My first two years in the league I played with him. I had my high school scrapbook and it said my favorite was Bennett and I showed it to him and he was like "Wow". So he was my favorite.

Question: Henri, of the backs you have played against in the NFL, describe the back that is most like your brother? Zack, describe the one most like Henri.

Henri Crockett: Jamal Anderson. He is big, can run over, through and around you. And he can catch it out of the backfield.

Zack Crockett: With the look and everything? Greg Lloyd. When he got a chance he would knock the helmet off you and intimidate you with his look.

Question: Zack, can you explain how the RAIDER fan's intensity is different from any other place that you have played? Do you get pumped to see all of the fans so "amped" about their team?

Zack Crockett: That is like FSU! You see guys with the Harley and the mask and the yelling. It's a rush. In Indianapolis you had people falling asleep with a cup of coffee. With the Raiders you know they will give you 110% every weekend.

Question: Do you agree that a majority of impact players come from Florida. Why do you think so?

Zack Crockett: We are bred on speed and strength. Some from the north and the snow are slow. Here down South every little league football team is competing against another county. Same with High school. That is where the colleges look for their talent.

Henri Crockett: Growing up we were raised about speed and quickness. Up north they are starting to catch on now. They only play football during the football season. They don't have spring football because of the snow and stuff. W play year round down here so we are ahead of the game.

Question: Henri, what's it like playing for Mike Shanahan? And also, Zach, what's it like playing for Jon Gruden?

Henri Crockett: It is different. I have never seen someone so calm. Reeves was outspoken. Shanahan says what he expects and you won't hear another word. Reeves repeated himself over and over. Shanahan gives you more responsibility. It is strange to meet a guy who is always calm.

Zack Crockett: They call Coach Gruden Little Chucky and you know that movie. He is full of energy. He is a players coach on the field talking and joking with you. He knows the game, a student of the game, and he gives us the leeway to be men and players on the field. He lets us loose.

Question: Just for Fun...If you 2 had to make an imaginary "bet"...who do u think will do better this year?...Broncos or Raiders?

Zack Crockett: Raiders! I need to get to the Super Bowl. Henri has been there and I need to get there.

Henri Crockett: Broncos, definitely. NO question.

Question: How did you get started with your Youth Foundations and your Football camp? What is the most gratifying part of those endeavors for you?

Henri Crockett: Watching the kids grow up. I have been doing it in Atlanta. Derrick Brooks helped me start. A woman named Kiesha Walker, my co-founder, put me in the right places. She walked me through everything because she had been doing that for a while. The kids don't trust you at first but then after a while to watch them open up and grow is good. That started me with the camp. That made me want to do it in my hometown, to give back to my hometown.

Zack Crockett: Growing up in the community we grew up in, we can give back. Kids now have more opportunity. We didn't have the players around us like now. When kids start seeing the players who made it it gives them the hope that they can get out and do it. It gives them the visions to say "If he made it, I can too."

Question: Who was the most influential person to each of your careers?

Zack Crockett: My mom. She has always been the backbone. Through little league football, through everything. She has been the cheerleader, supporter and when we need it the coach. She has been the push for us.

Henri Crockett: Definitely Mom. She was always in the background and didn't mind being there. She went above and beyond to be there for us and see all the games. Even in college she drove up for every game. She even cooked for us! She is definitely the backbone of the family and our lives.

Question: What do both of you like to do that is not football related?

Henri Crockett: I like the movies, got to plays, and I like to shop and by clothes.

Zack Crockett: I am an average golfer, so I like to go out and cut the grass. My daughter is at an age where she needs a lot of time and grooming for life. I like to spend time with my family and watch movies and all. That is me in a nutshell.

Question: Zack, I am a huge RAIDER fan and enjoy watching everyone on the squad excel. What do you think your role will be this year and do you think with the number of backs we have that there will be enough plays for you to get some strong numbers?

Zack Crockett: With all we have this year, we have to come in and take what we want. You have to be determined and work hard. Hopefully I will have what I had last year but with the addition of Garner and Metcalf it will be split more. You have to be ready for anything. You never know when your number will be called.

Question: Henri - How has Brian Greise looked so far - does that shoulder seem to be completely healed?

Henri Crockett: Yes. It seems really good in passing camp. We did like 20 days in camp and he looks good and confident. I got a chance to talk to him. He did some good off season work and is ready and excited about the year.

Question: Where can we find out more info on your foundation and/or the football camp?

Henri Crockett: You can call Joe Davis at (954) 609-7955. We don't have a website set up right now. Camp is from 8am to 5pm and on July 14th. Only one day this year but we'll make it 2 or 3 next year.

Zack Crockett: Thanks to all the fans for chatting with us. I hope to see you soon in a stadium near you. Especially the Raider Fans. Cheer us on and walk us to the Super Bowl.

Henri Crockett: Thank you for having me here and allowing me to speak to you all. Again, please support the foundation and what we do with the community. and.. How 'bout them Broncos!!!