As athletes enter each season with aspirations of winning a Super Bowl, the reality of their careers can lead to a heightened sense of urgency, especially as they grow older. This is particularly true for running backs, who often face an accelerated timeline in their careers.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is experiencing this urgency firsthand. At 29 years old, he may not be considered old in general terms, but the nature of football demands a different perspective on lifespan in the sport. Kamara recognizes that time is not on his side.
“I don’t want to sit here and say, ‘Well, I got time, I got time.’ Ain’t no time, so I’m trying to run it up,” Kamara remarked.
As he embarks on his eighth season, he has contemplated his future by imagining scenarios where he might play for 16 or even 10 more seasons. Regardless of the outcome, he acknowledges that he is now in the latter half of his playing career.
“I feel like there is no time to waste, because let’s just say I’m at the halfway point, if I were to play 16 years,” he stated. “Or 10 years, I’m on the back end of my career. I don’t want to waste no time.”
The Saints have faced challenges in recent years, missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons following four playoff appearances during Kamara’s initial years. He is eager to reclaim the success he enjoyed earlier in his career.
Interestingly, Kamara believes that this sense of urgency is also being felt by younger team members. While they may not yet grasp the same urgency regarding career longevity, they recognize that the present is crucial. This sense of immediacy is conveyed by veteran leaders and is embraced by the younger players in the locker room.