Starving for success: Former NFL player won't take 'no' for an answer

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A viral photo of former TSU football player, and Chicago Bears receiver, Joe Anderson, is showing fans a different side of the athlete.

Anderson told FOX 26 there were several reasons he stood outside of NRG stadium holding a sign that read, “Not homeless but starving for success” and “Will Run Routes 4 Food.”

“I’m not afraid to allow my struggle to show man,” said Anderson. “And there’s beauty behind that, that gives people hope.”

Anderson said even though he hasn’t played in an NFL game in several years he hasn’t lost his love of the game or his hope that things can change.

“I put my heart on the line every day. I wake up at 4:30 every morning, man,” he said. “I bust my tail, I’m passionate about the game, I’m passionate about my faith. One thing that I haven’t done is humble myself to the lowest point.”

And that’s why Anderson said he thought the sign was the best way to go.

“You have to really be able to set your pride aside to be able to do what I did,” he said. “But the thing about doing what I did everybody has an assignment in his life.”

Anderson said his assignment was to take a chance and inspire people along the way.

“Because no matter who you is you going to go through a storm. The storm can’t last forever the sun gotta come back out.”

Anderson said as of now he has not heard from the Texans but has 31 other teams to reach to if it doesn’t work out.

“I still have my peace at the end of the day. I aint’ gonna stop chasing my dream, man, I aint’ stoppin’ for nobody.”

Anderson said later that day he saw one of his two sons holding up the sign looking at himself in the mirror.

“I cried man. I cried because that shows me that my son is watching my every move and if I give up right now man that’s going to give him a reason to give up later on in life.”