Through a full decade of pro football — 1990 to 1999 — Leroy Hoard specialized in zapping the will to fight from defenders. His goal? Make you quit by the fourth quarter.

The sight of No. 33 in Cleveland and No. 44 in Minnesota barreling through defenses helped define this glory era of the sport itself. Hoard ran with power, speed, attitude.

And oh my, he has stories to share.

The former NFL running back hangs out on the Go Long Pod to relive it all. During a Pro Bowl season in 1994, Hoard led the Browns to the playoffs with 1,335 total yards and nine touchdowns. Of course, he also remembers the scene in ‘95 when the Browns played their final games at Municipal Stadium. He’d later resurrect his career with the high-flying Vikings of the late 90s.

Full audio and video is above, and available within your Apple and Spotify feeds. I’ll share the written transcript later today.

Topics include…

* Life as a running back in the 1990s, from the old AFC Central to the NFC Central.

* Growing up in New Orleans’ dangerous Ninth Ward.

* The worst collision of his football life.

* The time the Browns moved from Cleveland to Baltimore.

* The time he arrived in Minnesota on a Tuesday, started on Sunday and it felt like living in China.

* Concussions. Pain. Life has been hard for Hoard since he retired. Did he have suicidal thoughts? Was he depressed? Hoard explains this empty feeling.

* Finding purpose as a radio commentator today at 560 WQAM in South Florida.

* Bill Belichick. His former coach in Cleveland has made offseason waves. We get Hoard’s thoughts.

* Analysis on the Browns today, Kevin Stefanski and the failed Deshaun Watson experiment.

Thank you for fueling our independent journalism here at Go Long and sharing with a friend.

Hoard previously hung out with us back in November 2021 if you’d like to check out that conversation, too.

Miss our Browns column this week? There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.golongtd.com/subscribe