Brian Westbrook: 'It's been a great ride'
Updated Reid quote at 2:18 p.m.
Brian Westbrook: 'It's been a great ride'
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Updated Reid quote at 2:18 p.m.
Brian Westbrook started his retirement ceremony on Wednesday by thanking a building full of supporters, ranging from team owner Jeffrey Lurie to head coach Andy Reid to the trainers to the public relations staff to those who serve food in the cafeteria. Nearly seven minutes of thank yous included his eight seasons in Philadelphia, his career at Villanova and his life growing up in the Washington area.
"When I think of myself, I think of Brian Westbrook from Fort Washington, Maryland, to DeMatha, injuries, to Villanova, injuries, to Philadelphia, injuries," Westbrook said. "All the good news, all the bad days, a third-round pick that was too small, would only be a special teams player, to an All-Pro, to a two-time Pro Bowl selection, to a franchise player in total yards from scrimmage. It's been a great ride, and I thank all you people and everyone who's been here every step of the way.
Westbrook recounted the journey in which he overcame injuries and a lack of size. Reid said he "never coached a player as smart" as Westbrook, and credited Westbrook's parents and Villanova. Westbrook's father, Ron, told a story of how when Westbrook was younger, he came home with a report card with one C. His mother didn't want him to play in a championship basketball game as a result.
"She ended up letting him play, but education has always been the key for her and myself," Ron said.
That translated onto the football field, where Eagles running backs coach Ted Williams said Westbrook did not need to be told more than once and studied film with intensity.
"He prepared to be the best he could be, probably because at some point people told him he couldn't be," Williams said. "So he said, 'I need to prove that I can. How do I do that?' Because a lot of people prove that they can, but don't know how to do it. When you figure that out, you go full speed."
Westbrook started with the Eagles in a backfield rotation before becoming the primary back out of necessity. He was a trusted teammate of Donovan McNabb, a close friend who called him Tuesday telling him to "represent."
"He was the best quarterback this city of Philadelphia has ever seen," Westbrook said.
Westbrook finished his career in San Francisco, where he actually gained a better appreciation for the Eagles. He had heard from teammates that the Eagles maintained the best organization in the league and didn't really understand until he went elsewhere.
"When you go somewhere else, you actually see this is the best organization in the NFL," Westbrook said. "I've been on the other side and see how things are done differently."
When asked for his career highlight, Westbrook pointed to the famous punt return against the Giants. He said Merrill Reese's play-by-play call of the return is what he hears in his head when he thinks of the play.
"It was 10 guys blocking," Westbrook said. "I made a couple guys miss here and there, but it was 10 guys blocking."
What a class act! Love this guy....Good Luck, Brian!!— uncle meat- Loved BWest. Beast on the field, class act off the field. Welcome back, west and thanks for the great memories. Loved the way he use to carve up the Giants and Cowboys.— PhillyinBmore
- Another great player that didn't get his due, just like Dawkins, Trotter, D-Mac, Runyan all because of a clearance rack mentality by the front office during their time here. #36 prayed you and Dawk would get your SB, unfortunately it didn't happen through no fault of your own. I wish you the best of luck in the future, you have been and will contuinue to be missed by the Eagles Nation.— FROM THE BEACH
- He was a great Eagle. But some don't know much about his college career at Nova. He is the all time, all purpose yardage leader in NCAA history -- at any level. He is alo the only player to ever have 1000+ yards rushing and 1000+ yards receiving in the same season. And he is smart. In his last football season, he had already graduated and was enrolled in Villanova's MBA program. Congratulations Brian, we are proud of you!— aaciii
- how many of you criticized Andy for letting Tra, Bwest, Runyan go? hate to tell you, but he was right. They didn't have anything left after the Eagles.— palmyra21
- Congrats on a stellar pro and college career. Go Nova. Go Eagles.— TR3
- Thank you, BWest! And welcome home where you belong.— PhillySubsMac
What a story! Andy Reid attended a local college game at Villanova, saw this kid, and said "Sign him up!"
GREAT Philly story! One of my favorites!
B-West, truly a class act, a good man and a great Philadelphia Eagle! He will be missed. Now, it's Donowhine's time. Unlike the elegant speaking of Westbrook, McSagg will be whinin' and cryin' about how he wished he could have given the Philly fans a Super Bowl and how he tried his best. WHAA WHAA WHAA!-
"Reid said he "never coached a player as smart" as Westbrook".
"Eagles running backs coach Ted Williams said Westbrook did not need to be told more than once and studied film with intensity."
It would be great if, in addition to being smart on his own behalf, he could also teach and coach.— rgray58 - Someone else mentioned it in their reply, but I noticed it too - sure is strange how the year after Banner left, you have these guys coming back to retire as Eagles, some of them a couple years after they actually played last.— lefty1117
- Class act, class guy. He provided many great memories throughout the years.— dogman5
- Never forget the game where Westbrook took a seat on the 1-yard line against Dallas. Told me all I needed to know about the man. Winning was more important than personal stats or glory. It's a shame he just couldn't stay healthy.— SweetsErik
- Really nice kid that took a pounding and kept grinding. A DC kid that captured the hearts of skeptical Eagles fans. I hope he stays around and mentors the draft picks.— Dexter
- Thanks for beingan Eagle Brian, we (the fans) appreciated you, good luck in the future! Just sayin', everyone knows! :)— DJ
