Bussin' With The Boys — Best of the Bus: Marshall Faulk On Playing For The Greatest Show On Turf

Release Date: November 8, 2025
Guests: Marshall Faulk
Hosts: Will Compton & Taylor Lewan

Episode Overview

This episode of "Bussin' With The Boys" features NFL legend Marshall Faulk, who opens up on his journey from New Orleans to the NFL Hall of Fame, offers candid reflections on the evolution of the running back position, recounts the highs and lows of his storied career (including "The Greatest Show on Turf" era with the St. Louis Rams), and shares personal stories about mentorship, competition, and his post-NFL advocacy work. The conversation is engaging, filled with nostalgia, advice, and humor, making it essential listening for any football fan.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Early Athletic Journey and College Decisions

• Recruitment Experiences
  • Faulk recounts visiting Nebraska, where Coach Osborne wanted him to play cornerback rather than running back, which heavily influenced his college decision.

    "Coach Osborne...he was honest. Like, first day...he asked, 'What position you think you can play here at Nebraska?'...they offered, but I had to play corner." — Marshall Faulk (00:39)

  • The lack of flexibility to recruit pure "athletes" (rather than set positions) is contrasted with modern practices.

    "...right around maybe '94, '95, they created the position called athlete...you just get an athlete. But back then...you had to play a position." — Marshall Faulk (02:01)

• Why San Diego State?
  • Despite Nebraska, Miami, and Texas A&M being his main suitors, Faulk chose San Diego State after falling in love with the city and its diversity during his visit.

    "I took a trip out there. I was like, I want to live here. This is nice...the diversity was unbelievable." — Marshall Faulk (03:46, 04:23)

2. College Stardom and NFL Draft

• Immediate Impact
  • Faulk wasn't a primary running back in high school, played multiple positions, and only midway through his college debut did he realize his NFL potential, highlighted by a record-breaking game.

    "In [my] second game...first play of the second quarter...I rushed for 389 yards and seven touchdowns." — Marshall Faulk (09:20, 10:16)

• Draft Process and Culture Shocks
  • Going number two overall, Faulk notes back then, the running back was the centerpiece of many NFL franchises.

    "Guess what we didn't do in college? ...We didn't share the backfield...I never wanted to come out of the game." — Marshall Faulk (05:05)

3. Player Longevity, Mentorship, and Mindset

• Mentoring Christian McCaffrey
  • Faulk is sought out by CMC for guidance—not for on-field moves but for longevity and body care.

    "He's not asking for pointers on how to hit the hole...he's like, 'How do I—longevity—how do I do this?'" — Marshall Faulk (06:28)

• Influence of Veteran Players
  • Emphasizes the importance of learning from older teammates and "paying the dummy tax."

    "Emmitt Smith told it to me...if you ask, the veterans will tell you what to do." — Marshall Faulk (17:20)

• Competitive Edge
  • Always approached competition as a football player, not just a running back.

    "I wanted to be the best running back on the field. Actually, I wanted to be the best football player on the field, period." — Marshall Faulk (20:04)

4. NFL Business Realities and Adaptation

• Getting Traded to Rams
  • The move was necessary for both Faulk and Peyton Manning—allowed both to step up as leaders in their respective teams.

    "I was putting in work. But they wanted it to be Peyton's team. So moving me took a security blanket away from Peyton, which allowed him to grow up..." — Marshall Faulk (21:09)

• “Greatest Show on Turf” and Rams Super Bowl Run
  • Ram’s success began with a locker-room mantra: “Why not us?” and the development of a true team celebration culture.

    "We started this thing with celebrating as a team...and that started feeding into the identity." — Marshall Faulk (31:47)

  • Key realization after a loss: the team's seriousness and hunger elevated, leading into their championship run.

    "After we lost to Tennessee…the next week of practice...guys showed up pissed, mad, working hard...these dudes hungry, man." — Marshall Faulk (32:24)

• Super Bowl Memories
  • Faulk details the adrenaline and significance of playing in the Super Bowl, including hyperventilating from excitement.

    "When I ran out of the tunnel, I was so hyped. I started hyperventilating. I had to go to the sideline and get some oxygen." — Marshall Faulk (35:38)

  • Reflects on the painful loss to the Patriots and how hard it can be to let go of losses compared to enjoying wins.

    "For a while, I hung on that loss more than I did the win...I had to really work on like, man, I gotta let this go." — Marshall Faulk (38:32)

5. The Evolution of the NFL Game

• On Sharing the Backfield
  • Believes sharing carries has devalued the running back position, contrasting with his own “workhorse” mentality.
• Changes in Physicality
  • Debates the perception of today's NFL as "softer" and how rules have made life harder for defenders.

    "They're playing smarter now...but what they've done is unfair to defense...they've put too much responsibility on the defensive guy." — Marshall Faulk (59:26)

• NBA-like Offseasons
  • Describes grueling offseasons, two-a-days, and full-contact practices compared to the modern era.

    "Camp was six weeks long...we were full-strap, 10 days in a row...tackle to the ground." — Marshall Faulk (61:29, 61:50)

6. Mentorship, Leadership, and Transitioning Out

• Handing Off to Steven Jackson
  • Faulk made Jackson compete for the starting job, emphasizing the need for the "best guy in the huddle."

    "If you want the job, you gotta beat me out. I'm not giving it to you...if you beat me, you're the best guy." — Marshall Faulk (51:16)

• Recognizing It's Time
  • Process of accepting lost speed and skills gracefully.
• Trash Talking and Rivalries
  • Recalls best trash talkers: Johnny Randle, Rodney Harrison, Michael Strahan, Warren Sapp, especially Sapp’s relentless jawing at Frankie Garcia.

    "SAP wouldn’t shut up. SAP would not shut up." — Marshall Faulk (55:08)

7. Legacy, Fame, and Giving Back

• Super Bowl Victory Celebration
  • "I never won anything in football...the first championship I win is in the NFL. I lost my damn mind." — Marshall Faulk (65:14)
• Transition to Advocacy
  • Active with drugfreeworld.org, spreading awareness and education on the dangers of drugs, based on personal and community experience.

    "We're not going to tell you no, we're not going to tell you don't do. We're going to tell you educate yourself." — Marshall Faulk (74:05)

• Hall of Fame Induction
  • Candid about anticipation and anxiety during the induction ceremony.

    "I was so sure, and as they come on and they're getting ready to call the names...for the first time ever, I thought, what if they don't call my name?" — Marshall Faulk (80:23)

  • The gravity of joining the Hall:

    "Like, there's only 200 and, like, 275 of these guys, and I'm one of them. Like, are you kidding me?" — Marshall Faulk (81:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Choosing San Diego State:
  “I just fell in love with the city...the diversity was unbelievable.” — Marshall Faulk (04:23)
• On The Devaluation of RBs:
  “The position has been devalued by the guys who want to share time...I never wanted to come out of the game.” — Marshall Faulk (05:05)
• On Mentoring Christian McCaffrey:
  “When you have talent and you see it, the best ability is your availability.” — Marshall Faulk (07:27)
• Induction Anxiety:
  "What if they don't call my name?...That's like somebody saying no or running away at the altar." — Marshall Faulk (80:23)
• Super Bowl Entrance:
  "When I ran out of the tunnel, I was so hyped. Like, I started hyperventilating. I had to go to the sideline and get some oxygen. I was, like, so excited..." — Marshall Faulk (35:38)
• Competition in Every Facet:
  "I compete at everything. Everything that I do, I compete and I'm always competing against myself." — Marshall Faulk (45:16)
• On Today’s NFL Rules:
  “They can't be touched...they're trying to play brave...they’ve put too much of this responsibility on the defensive guy.” — Marshall Faulk (59:26)
• On Letting Go of Losses:
  "It's so much easier to go down and be pissed off about the losses. So much easier." — Marshall Faulk (38:32)
• Advice for Generations:
  "You gotta use the platform for, you know, others other than just making money. You got to make a difference too, in this world." — Marshall Faulk (78:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:39 — Faulk on Coach Osborne and choosing his college position
• 03:46 — Picking San Diego State over powerhouse programs
• 10:16 — Breakout college game: 389 yards, 7 TDs
• 21:09 — The Colts-to-Rams trade, changing teams and leadership
• 31:47 — Birth of "Greatest Show on Turf" team mindset
• 35:38 — Super Bowl adrenaline and childhood dreams
• 38:32 — Pain of Super Bowl loss to Patriots and letting go
• 51:16 — Handing off the starting job to Steven Jackson
• 59:26 — How rules have changed to lessen physicality in NFL
• 74:05 — Advocacy for drug education (drugfreeworld.org)
• 80:23 — Hall of Fame ceremony: anticipation and pride

Final Thoughts

Marshall Faulk’s episode is a blend of humility, competitive spirit, and wisdom. He shares transparent accounts of his career, the people who shaped him, and the profound joy and pain found in the NFL. Listeners are treated to both nostalgia and fresh perspective, from Faulk’s personal growth to the changing landscape of football. His closing thoughts on legacy and service, especially his advocacy beyond the game, round out an insightful, inspiring conversation.

For more on player journeys and real talk from inside the league, hop back on "Bussin’ With The Boys" each week.