The Bears last week signed receiver/return specialist Kalif Raymond, who spent multiple seasons with head coach Ben Johnson and receivers/assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El in Detroit. Learn more about the nine-year veteran as he discusses his favorite moment with Johnson, sports idols growing up, favorite Paramore songs and much more.
What was your welcome to the NFL moment?
I have, really, two. The first one was — You know what's crazy? It's a full circle moment. My first ever preseason game, first ever NFL game was here in Chicago against the Bears. I was playing for the Denver Broncos. And I'm listening to like hardcore, hardcore songs in the locker room. I'm like, "It's my first NFL game." I'm too hyped. And I remember they kicked the ball off and I couldn't feel my legs. So, I caught the ball and I was running, and I literally couldn't feel my legs. And I think there's a possibility I could have scored if I was cognizant of my legs. And everybody asked me, "What was it like, man, your first play?" I was like, "I don't know how my legs are moving because I couldn't feel them." But that's when I knew. I was like, "Okay, this stage is huge." And then that same game, somebody hit me in the shoulder. And I had a facemask print on my arm after the game.
What is your favorite football memory?
Favorite football memory ever that I can think of off the top of my head? Put it this way, all of them are tough. The most recent one was my first touchdown in Tennessee. Watching that one, I almost cry, because it was my first touchdown, had the guys diving over top of me. It took so much to get to that moment. I was cut however many times to get to there. So to finally get my first touchdown after playing in the NFL for four years meant a lot.
What is your favorite Ben Johnson moment?
Oh, I've got a couple of those. There's a story about Ben Johnson that he told from his time in Miami. And he was telling about his story going from where he was in Miami to Detroit. And he told it in front of the team meeting room, and I was so hyped, because I've been there. And that's when I knew what kind of man he was. And then the second one, there's this video from the Naked and Afraid show, and this one guy's out there and he's yelling, "This is what I live for!" And Ben played it and he's like, "This is how I feel." I'm like, "The naked and afraid part?" But it's the greatest moment ever because I get it. He's like, "This is what I live for!" Now when I see him, I'm like, "This is what I live for!" Because I understand what he was talking about. It was so funny.
Who were some of your sports idols growing up?
I love some Steve Smith. I don't know if you call Bruce Lee a sports idol, but him. And then I love Mike Tyson.
What is something that we don't know about Antwaan Randle El?
Oh, I have one that nobody would know. He was the first person to put me on to Dude Wipes. I know it's odd, but now it makes sense.
You recently became a dad. What is the best part of fatherhood so far?
She does this little smile where, she doesn't see me in the morning and I walk by, and I say like, "Dat baby!" And she looks at me and she does a little smile. I'm like, "Oh my god." That has me about to break every time.
Who inspires you the most?
I have two people. My mom, just because she struggled a lot, but still found a way. And then my mentor, Lawrence Nelson, he passed away a year ago. But he was my best friend's dad and he taught me how to be a man for the family. So he was very special.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I like to dance. I'm above average if you go somewhere in the civilian world. If we go somewhere with a bunch of dancers, I'm going to the back. But if we're going out with some friends, I'm going to go to wherever the center of the dance floor is, dance for two hours straight and then I'm gonna go home.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I've got a wide music catalog. So like, "I'm Like a Bird," I can sing that song verbatim. Paramore, talk to me. And also R&B, hip hop and all those.
What's your favorite Paramore song?
Ooh, I mean, you've got Misery Business. You've got that, That's What You Get. Still Into You.
What is at the top of your bucket list right now?
I did one of my bucket list items. I got tattooed by a monk in Thailand. But if I had one now — oh man, there's so much to do in the world. I do want to touch all the continents. I've got a lot of them. Been to Asia, Europe, South America. I haven't done anywhere in Africa.
