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http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24405716/the-la-rams-todd-gurley-parties-six-flags
"Big spoon or little spoon?" I ask Todd Gurley, the Rams' All-Pro running back. "I'm big spoon, obviously," he says, leaving no room for debate. I acquiesce and take the front seat in our double tube, with Gurley's grimy aqua socks at my nose, just as we begin our rapid ride down an open-air waterslide. What's worse, Big Spoon won't stop screaming in my ears: "Yeeeaaahhh, boy! Woooh!"
Gurley turned 24 today, Aug. 3, an off-day from training camp, and he's marking his arrival on earth not with a club night, as many ballers would, but with a day at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The water park sits 33 miles north of LA -- a city that Gurley and his boys have won over following an 11-5 season and their first playoff berth since 2004, when they were St. Louis' team.
There's no better way to finish off an afternoon at the water park than ice cream cake. The1point8 for ESPN
All around this park are reminders of how far Gurley's Rams have come since their disastrous 4-12 debut season in LA just two years ago. Kids wearing Rams jerseys, park employees with team ball caps and flip-flopped parkgoers of all ages swarm-tackle the local celebrity to offer birthday well-wishes and congratulatory high-fives for his freshly inked four-year, $60 million contract extension, the richest-ever per-year average for a back.
Gurley is digging the adulation he's receiving here and on social media when a scroll of his Instagram reveals an interesting factoid he hadn't known. "Damn, it's Tom Brady's birthday too?" Gurley says, bemused to be sharing his special day with the guy who topped him in MVP votes last season 40-8. Most of the following conversation takes place in the kiddie pool. "Best spot in the whole park," Gurley says. And when it's over, we'll take to Gurley's private cabana, where his loved ones await with his favorite food ever: "It don't get any better than ice cream cake," he says.
You can probably afford all the cats. Congratulations on your new deal.
Thank you, man. It feels good to know all the hard work pays off. Going from being a little kid wanting to play in the NFL -- and playing it for the love of the game -- to signing the extension is one of the greatest feelings ever.
The NFL's running backs were happy to see your deal. Are you proud to have reset the market for backs?
That's what I do, man -- I set the bar. It was not only big for me, but it was a statement for the running backs, for what we do and what we deserve to get in this league, as much as we put in.
Le'Veon Bell showed support for your deal and you supported him in his negotiations with the Steelers. Are you all in this together as undervalued running backs?
All positions. I love to see a guy get his payday. That's what I think is unique about the NFL-it's a brotherhood. I hope Le'Veon gets something done. He probably won't get one done with the Steelers, but someone will pay him.
I was terrible in fantasy last year, so I'm picking first. Who should I take, you or Le'Veon?
Me.
Le'Veon is fighting for the deal you just got, though. He's motivated.
That ain't got nothing to do with the stats. I was No. 1 last year in fantasy. You want me for sure. If not, you can't go wrong with AB [Antonio Brown] or DeAndre Hopkins.
When we spoke after your rookie year, you weren't quite an NFL star yet. Today I've noticed you're getting recognized a ton.
Yeah, it's happening more, probably because of the dreads. But I get confused for DeAndre Hopkins a lot. And in Cancun, someone called me Roddy White. People get excited when they think you're somebody you're not, so I go along with it, like, "If this make you happy, then I'm DeAndre Hopkins."
It sure seems like you're kicking the Chargers' butts in terms of winning over the city.
The who?
The Chargers.
Oh yeah, I forgot. [Smiles]
You're not the only one. I live in LA and I know two Chargers fans here. Literally, two fans.
Yeah, man, they're from San Diego. We were the Los Angeles Rams before we were in St. Louis. And it's hard not to support us, we got a great team. But you can't beat being in this city, man. It's a great sports town, and, ya know, LeBron's coming.
"Big spoon or little spoon?" I ask Todd Gurley, the Rams' All-Pro running back. "I'm big spoon, obviously," he says, leaving no room for debate. I acquiesce and take the front seat in our double tube, with Gurley's grimy aqua socks at my nose, just as we begin our rapid ride down an open-air waterslide. What's worse, Big Spoon won't stop screaming in my ears: "Yeeeaaahhh, boy! Woooh!"
Gurley turned 24 today, Aug. 3, an off-day from training camp, and he's marking his arrival on earth not with a club night, as many ballers would, but with a day at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The water park sits 33 miles north of LA -- a city that Gurley and his boys have won over following an 11-5 season and their first playoff berth since 2004, when they were St. Louis' team.
There's no better way to finish off an afternoon at the water park than ice cream cake. The1point8 for ESPN
All around this park are reminders of how far Gurley's Rams have come since their disastrous 4-12 debut season in LA just two years ago. Kids wearing Rams jerseys, park employees with team ball caps and flip-flopped parkgoers of all ages swarm-tackle the local celebrity to offer birthday well-wishes and congratulatory high-fives for his freshly inked four-year, $60 million contract extension, the richest-ever per-year average for a back.
Gurley is digging the adulation he's receiving here and on social media when a scroll of his Instagram reveals an interesting factoid he hadn't known. "Damn, it's Tom Brady's birthday too?" Gurley says, bemused to be sharing his special day with the guy who topped him in MVP votes last season 40-8. Most of the following conversation takes place in the kiddie pool. "Best spot in the whole park," Gurley says. And when it's over, we'll take to Gurley's private cabana, where his loved ones await with his favorite food ever: "It don't get any better than ice cream cake," he says.
Thank you, man. It feels good to know all the hard work pays off. Going from being a little kid wanting to play in the NFL -- and playing it for the love of the game -- to signing the extension is one of the greatest feelings ever.
The NFL's running backs were happy to see your deal. Are you proud to have reset the market for backs?
That's what I do, man -- I set the bar. It was not only big for me, but it was a statement for the running backs, for what we do and what we deserve to get in this league, as much as we put in.
Le'Veon Bell showed support for your deal and you supported him in his negotiations with the Steelers. Are you all in this together as undervalued running backs?
All positions. I love to see a guy get his payday. That's what I think is unique about the NFL-it's a brotherhood. I hope Le'Veon gets something done. He probably won't get one done with the Steelers, but someone will pay him.
I was terrible in fantasy last year, so I'm picking first. Who should I take, you or Le'Veon?
Me.
Le'Veon is fighting for the deal you just got, though. He's motivated.
That ain't got nothing to do with the stats. I was No. 1 last year in fantasy. You want me for sure. If not, you can't go wrong with AB [Antonio Brown] or DeAndre Hopkins.
When we spoke after your rookie year, you weren't quite an NFL star yet. Today I've noticed you're getting recognized a ton.
Yeah, it's happening more, probably because of the dreads. But I get confused for DeAndre Hopkins a lot. And in Cancun, someone called me Roddy White. People get excited when they think you're somebody you're not, so I go along with it, like, "If this make you happy, then I'm DeAndre Hopkins."
It sure seems like you're kicking the Chargers' butts in terms of winning over the city.
The who?
The Chargers.
Oh yeah, I forgot. [Smiles]
You're not the only one. I live in LA and I know two Chargers fans here. Literally, two fans.
Yeah, man, they're from San Diego. We were the Los Angeles Rams before we were in St. Louis. And it's hard not to support us, we got a great team. But you can't beat being in this city, man. It's a great sports town, and, ya know, LeBron's coming.
