The accolades for Ahmad Bradshaw's unsurpassed toughness came rolling in shortly after the running back was released by the New York Giants Wednesday afternoon.
"Bradshaw has great toughness," head coach Tom Coughlin added. "He plays through anything. He doesn't just talk about playing hurt. He does play hurt."
The recently retired Vinny DiTrani, dean of NFL beat writers for the Bergen Record, even weighed in. "Bradshaw's tough, piston-like running style took toll on sides of his feet. One of toughest guys I've seen in 40-plus years," DiTrani tweeted. "Never saw an RB Bradshaw's size who constantly pushed pile forward. Unfortunately no one found way to compensate for his bow-leggedness."
After hearing that high praise, Bradshaw can't be blamed for tooting his own horn just a bit. "That's what they say," Bradshaw told WFAN-AM during a Wednesday radio interview. "I'm the toughest guy on the team, and anywhere I go, I'll try to get that name."
So what's next for Bradshaw? He's still just 26 years old, but his feet are a blatant mess. Although Bradshaw conceded that his recent surgery should have been taken care of a year ago, he's confident that he's not done as an effective NFL player.
Bradshaw still considers the Giants a part of his family, understands his release is part of the business and insists the door is open for a return.
Local reporters are skeptical that Bradshaw will be brought back at a reduced rate, however. The New York Post went as far to label Bradshaw's release "as close to final cuts as you get."
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
