On a recent episode of the Hoodie Chroniclez Podcast on YouTube, former NFL quarterback Jim Everett sat down with USA Today Managing Editor Josh Petry. They chatted about all sorts of things—NFL trends, college football, and the whole Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) situation.
Everett, who built his reputation with the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, and San Diego Chargers, gave his take on today’s NFL quarterback scene. With nearly 35,000 passing yards and 203 touchdowns in his career, he’s got some authority here. If you ask me, his perspective is worth a listen, whether you agree or not.
Jim Everett’s NFL Career: A Retrospective
Everett was a force at quarterback, leading the NFL in passing touchdowns in both 1988 and 1989. He stuck around for 12 seasons and put up some wild numbers:
- 35,000 passing yards
- 203 touchdown passes
- Completion percentage just under 58%
With that kind of longevity, he’s got plenty to say about how the position—and the league—has changed.
Everett on Today’s NFL Quarterbacks
So, what does he think about the current batch of QBs? He’s actually pretty upbeat. “Man, I love this league. I love the way it’s set up. I love how they are protecting the quarterbacks.”
He also pointed out that protecting quarterbacks is a bit of a double-edged sword. “I’m sitting here with six new body parts; they were trying to wipe us out. They may have gone a little bit too far on that, too, though.”
The Evolution of Quarterback Protection
The NFL’s made big changes to keep quarterbacks safe—stricter roughing-the-passer calls, tighter helmet-to-helmet rules, all that. The idea is to help QBs stick around longer and keep the stars on the field.
But Everett’s not so sure it’s all upside. You can sense he’s a little skeptical about whether the league’s gone overboard with the rule changes.
NIL in College Football: Everett’s Take
College sports look a lot different now with NIL rules letting athletes profit off their own name and image. Everett had some thoughts on that, too, and he didn’t hold back about how it used to be.
“Back in the day, we couldn’t get paid, we couldn’t get jobs, everything was all under cover. If you received something, it was always on the hush. We knew guys were getting stuff. Now, our kids are growing up, and they have stipends and stuff, it’s a whole different way of life right now.”
Embracing the Change
Everett’s actually on board with the new NIL rules. “I think that college kids should have the opportunity to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness, and be able to promote items. I feel like we were in a time that we were taken advantage of, and now at least they have an opportunity to be fair.”
Advice to His Younger Self
On the podcast, Everett was asked what he’d tell his 22-year-old self. He didn’t spill every detail, but you could tell he’s learned a lot from his journey.
He probably would talk about handling pressure, money, and—no surprise—taking care of your body.
Health and Longevity
Everett’s joke about having “six new body parts” really hits home about the physical cost of pro football. These days, sports medicine is better, and the league talks more about safety, but his story is a reminder for young players to look after themselves.
Conclusion
Jim Everett has a lot to say about where the NFL stands right now. He’s seen it all—the good, the bad, and the weird in pro sports.
His take on NIL in college football is especially interesting. He’s pretty open about supporting the new rules, which is refreshing.
Everett’s thoughts on how quarterback protection has changed over the years? Honestly, it’s eye-opening. The way both college and pro football keep shifting is wild, and having voices like his around feels important.
If you want to dive deeper into what Jim Everett had to say, check out the full article here.
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