Earlier this week, former NFL running back Reggie Bush made headlines when he said Steelers rookie running back Anthony McFarland could be better than Le'Veon Bell.
McFarland, a fourth-round draft pick, heard the praise. He's humbled by it.
But he also isn't allowing it to go to his head.
"It means a lot coming from him," McFarland said Saturday of Bush, a former Heisman Trophy winner and 1,000-yard rusher in the NFL. "But I haven’t played a down in the NFL yet. That doesn’t really mean too much to me because I have to go out and I have to get it done."
He'll do it in the same number worn by Bell, who rushed for 5,336 yards in five seasons with the Steelers from 2013 through 2017.
The Steelers announced earlier this week McFarland will wear No. 26. He initially wanted 25 but knew fellow rookie and former University of Maryland teammate Antoine Brooks would want that number, which he wore for the Terrapins. So McFarland went for the next best thing.
"I’ve always been a big fan of Le’Veon Bell. He’s always been the best running back in the league ever since I’ve been watching him in college and high school. He’s been a top back," McFarland said. "I don’t want people to think that I want to be better than Le’Veon. That’s not the type of person I am. If anything, I look up to him. I idolize him. I watch his game. I study his film as somebody who has been in the league a long time. There was no disrespect."
None taken.
But there has been seemingly some disrespect thrown McFarland's way from some fans. He's been compared to former Steelers running backs Dri Archer and Chris Rainey, a pair of mid-round draft picks in recent years who haven't worked out. Another report, since debunked in a number circles, quoted an anonymous scout questioning his character both on and off the field.
The comparisons might be relevant because, like Archer and Rainey, McFarland's calling card is his speed. But that's where they end. Archer weighed 174 pounds, while Rainey was 178. McFarland checked in at 208 pounds at 5-foot-8 at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Yes, he ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, but speed is hardly his only attribute.
"He’s still a downhill runner," said Brooks. "But if you don’t get him down, he’s going to burn you. Obviously, that speed, he’s going to use that attitude and aggression he has to get whatever he’s going to get.
"You never know what Anthony McFarland is going to give you. He’s a Jack-of-all-trades. I can’t wait until he shows it to you all."
"I just remember him flying around the whole game. There was a play he tackled me on. He started laughing and I started laughing and went back to the huddle," McFarland said. "I feel like he’s a good person. After the game, he came up to me and told me how much he respected my game and to keep working hard. That meant a lot coming from a guy like that. I’m excited to be his teammate."
Past is the past let’s work!! @AnttMacc_
— Devin Bush ll (@_Dbush11) April 25, 2020
"It was kind of like my welcome to college," McFarland said. "I took it and moved on."
"Everybody is in the same boat right now," McFarland said. "I wouldn’t see it as (being) behind. It’s all up to you. It’s all about learning and getting into the playbook every day.
"I’m looking forward to that. Anywhere I can be reliable on special teams, I’m going to do it. At the end of the day, it’s football."
