Questions and Answers With Stanley Richard
Interview by John Wagner of NFL Gameday, September 3, 1995

QUESTION: How did you pick up the nickname "the Sheriff?"

ANSWER: It started back in college at Texas my senior year. I had this 
badge and I started wearing it around campus. I was one of the veteran 
guys on the team and I felt that it was my year. I was going to be 
running things from the secondary, so I decided to start wearing the 
badge. Some reporters asked, "What's up with the badge?" So I told them 
that I was the Sheriff. Sure enough, the headlines the next morning read 
"There's a New Sheriff in Town". Well the Houston coach got wind of this 
and said they were going to ride into town and shoot down the sheriff". 
They were #2 in the nation with David Klingler at quarterback, while we 
were #4. Well I went out and had a big game and the name just stuck. The 
papers read, "The Sheriff Upholds the Law" and it's been that way ever since.

QUESTION: Coming off of a Super Bowl season and four solid years with the 
Chargers, was it a tough decision to leave?

ANSWER: Well it was tough, but the way I looked at it is this, they 
started making some changes. They got rid of our secondary coach and the 
defensive coordinator left, so I was going to be making a change anyway. 
So l decided that I needed to make the most out of my future and the 
opportunity that I have today. Washington talked to me and I saw the 
changes and commitment that they were making. I took into account the 
changes on both sides and felt that with the talent they were bringing in 
here, I had a better opportunity in Washington.

QUESTION: Tell me about the secondary. With Darrell Green and Tom Carter 
at the corners along with bringing in James Washington and returning 
Keith Taylor and Darryl Morrison, there are some solid NFL players back 
there.

ANSWER: Well if you look at our secondary on paper, I feel that we have 
the most talented secondary that I have ever been a part of. It is a 
really deep secondary. You have three number ones (draft picks) and 
James, who has the experience in the biggest game you can possibly be in, 
the Super Bowl. So you have talent back there in the secondary. Also, you 
have solid depth. We have Keith Taylor, Darryl Morrison, Mohammed 
Oliver's been playing well, and the young rookies are picking things up. 
So when you look at the secondary on paper there is lots of talent. We 
just need to back it up on the field.

QUESTION: Are you entering your prime this season?

ANSWER: Most definitely. My best football is the next four years. Towards 
the end of last season, I was playing as well as I ever have. I'm looking 
forward to playing even better this year.

QUESTION: Do you see any similarities between the Redskins today and the 
Chargers in your rookie year 1991 when they were 412?

ANSWER: Oh sure. You look at what was happening back with the Chargers in 
those days: tremendous talent, but no leadership. We had no one pointing 
us in the right direction. Players can only lead so much. It's the 
coaches who need to set the example. That is what's happening here. Our 
coaches are seeing our talent and pointing us to a common goal that will 
help bring us together. That is what happened in San Diego and I'm 
looking forward to being a part of that here with the Redskins.

QUESTION: What are Stanley Richard's strengths?

ANSWER: Well I feel that I am entering my prime. I'm still a young 
player. Like I said, San Diego had my early years and now since I'm 
becoming a much better player, Washington will get my best years. I have 
not reached my peak yet. I feel that I have a lot of good football left. 
I consider myself a playmaker. If something needs to be done on the 
field, I feel that I am the one who is going to do it. Whether it is to 
score a touchdown, cause a fumble, make o big hit, I'm your man. I also 
feel that I am a leader back there. I make the calls and changes. I think 
that two of my stronger points are my range and tackling ability or run 
support. When you talk about yourself, its like you can go on all day. 
But my overall attitude is, I'll do whatever it takes.

QUESTION: What kind of goals do you set for yourself each year?

ANSWER: No matter where I go or what I do, the number one goal for me is 
to gain the respect of my teammates. That is the first thing I want to 
do. And then of course, I want to gain respect around the league. I also 
set individual goals like number of interceptions, tackles, Pro Bowl, 
etc. With the Pro Bowl last year, I've gotten myself into a good position 
in the league. Now I just have to go out and back it up on the field. For 
a team goal, all I can do coming into this year is to make a commitment 
to make myself and this secondary the best it can be.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on training camp at Frostburg and 
working out of Redskins Park? It must be night and day with San Diego.

ANSWER: It really is. Training camp at San Diego was in La Haya. There 
was the beach and ocean, a lot of sunshine, a cool breeze, and people 
hanging out. It was like a big picnic every day. Almost a vacation. You 
really can't compare the training facilities because the Chargers 
practice out of Jack Murphy Stadium. It's like you are boxed up for the 
day and there is no sunlight until you finally leave for the day. So with 
Redskins Park, there really isn't a comparison.

QUESTION: What kind of hobbies and interests do you have?

ANSWER: I love the water. Anything that involves the water. I like jet 
skiing, water skiing, swimming. I have a boat that I keep back home at a 
lake in Hawkins, Texas where my family lives.