INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Edgerrin James took pride in exceeding his standards — and ignoring everyone else's.
It made him a perfect complementary piece to Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis.
The man drafted fourth overall in 1999 — ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams and as the hand-picked replacement for Marshall Faulk — carved out his own Hall of Fame career with a gritty work ethic, a freewheeling personality, and a commitment to stay true to his roots.
“I figured out you could still be yourself and accomplish what you wanted to do," he said recently while preparing to finally give his induction speech next week after a year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.