Pierce talks about Super Bowl, NFL life
Temple honored Baltimore Ravens reserve tailback Bernard Pierce on Saturday for winning the Super Bowl.
The former Owls standout addressed the crowd during halftime of Temple's basketball game against Rhode Island at the Liacouras Center. The Owls won, 76-70.
After deciding to forego his senior season at Temple, Pierce was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of last year's NFL draft. He went to rush for 734 yards and a touchdown as Ray Rice's backup.
The Ravens ended the season with a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.
After the ceremony, the Ardmore native met the media. Here is what he said:
On what it has been like since winning the Super Bowl:
"In the off-season a lot of appearances, a lot of hosting events, a lot of traveling, not too much sleep. But overall it's a great experience."
On the biggest adjustment from college to the NFL:
"Not being the starter. It was humbling. So I had to get used to that. Once I got used to that, it was the season. The season is three times longer than a college season. So that's another thing I had to get used to getting my body healthy and staying in shape."
On a moment where he realized that he could excel in the NFL:
"I always knew that I could do it. I just needed that shot. And [Ravens offensive coordinator] Jim Caldwell gave me that chance."
On while dealing with a bone bruise, having Rice call him the toughest guy he knows:
"Ray Rice, first and foremost, he's my friend. So when he said that, that surely was a confidence boost to make sure I was in the training room every day. And try to get back healthy as possible."
On spending this past season in the same locker room with future hall of famers in linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed:
"You would actually be surprised, because everybody in that locker room is a comedian. It's a funny group of guys in there. But you know, there's definitely a lot of future hall of famers in there, too. So we laugh and have fun. But at the end of the day, I make sure I listen and pay attention."
On what was on his mind the moment the Ravens won the Super Bowl:
"I can finally rest. That's the first thing that was on my mind. We made it. We beat everybody out there. We weren't supposed to. We defied the odds and now we are champions."
On Temple hiring Matt Rhule as the new football coach:
"Oh, I love Rhule. I love the guy. I'm definitely happy that he got the job."
On how his life changed since he became a professional football player:
"I wouldn't say that it was much of a change. You are just going from a college atmosphere where you are among one of the star players here to an NFL team to where you progressed to become one of the go-to guys on the team. So I really wouldn't say it was much of a difference beside a free living [in college]. We are in the real world, now."