BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Nick Chubb has perfected the art of sidestepping or just running over defenders.
He’s just as adept at dodging compliments too.
Earlier this week, Titans running back Derrick Henry responded to Mike Tirico “That’s Nick Chubb” when the NBC broadcaster asked Henry “How’s the best running back on the planet?” Leading up to Tennessee’s Sunday night game in Kansas City.
Naturally on Wednesday Chubb deflected it.
“I feel the same way about him and Saquon [Barkley],” Chubb said. “They're all great running backs.”
The last few years, Henry and Chubb have developed a friendly rivalry, at least statistically.
With Chubb and the Browns idle with the bye, Henry leapfrogged Chubb for the NFL rushing lead this season at 870 yards to Chubb’s 841.
But Chubb leads in touchdowns 10-9.
Henry rallied to beat Chubb in 2019 for the rushing title in the final week of the season to finish 46 yards in front. In 2020 Chubb finished seventh in rushing while Henry was the top runner, earning him Offensive Player of the Year honors after he racked up 2,027 on the ground.
Chubb won’t say it, but he’d enjoy winning a rushing title – or even the rushing touchdown title.
“I think it would be a great team stat if we ever do that,” Chubb said. “I mean, I don't think too much about it. I go to work every day and where I end up is where I end up.”
Even funnier, or at least ironic, is that Henry’s comment may be the nicest thing a current or former Alabama player has ever said about a current or former Georgia player considering the rivalry between those two football programs.
“It might be up there, for sure,” Chubb said with a smile.
Henry’s remark opened the door for Chubb’s teammates to be asked about the three-time Pro Bowl back, and as expected, more compliments followed.
“When you get around him, you’re like, dang, man, this is what NFL players should be,” quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. “This is what a professional athlete should be. And he does it day in and day out no matter the circumstances, he’s just that guy that you want in your locker room.”
You won’t find anyone with a bad word to say about Chubb.
“It shows I'm setting an example for everyone, just how I work, the things I do,” Chubb said of Brissett’s comments. “The same routine every day. Hopefully the guys are catching up on that. I know Jacoby’s a great leader, too, so I appreciate that from Jacoby.”
Like Brissett, linebacker Sione Takitaki marvels at Chubb’s work ethic.
“You can go on and on about a guy like him who runs the ball so well, just a great leader in the building, kind of guy that leads by example, doesn't have to say too much,” Takitaki said. “You can rally around guys like that who do it right and, man, he has a lot football left in his career. He's doing well up to this point, he's going to continue to do well, definitely a guy I look up to and try to be like. Nick Chubb's awesome.”
Chubb doesn’t say much – to anyone. But when he does speak, they listen, which is something head coach Kevin Stefanski appreciates.
“Nick is a great example of you don’t have to be loud, you don’t have to be vocal, you don’t have to be boisterous and you don’t have to be giving pregame speeches in order to lead,” Stefanski said. “He is a great leader by example. He will speak up when necessary, and he has done that. It is always good when there is an example of how to do it the right way. That is helpful in the running back room. I think it is helpful to the offense and helpful to the team.
“When you have a guy that is a pro’s pro who does his job, I think everybody sees that. The fact that he doesn’t say much doesn’t change his standing to me, to his teammates or whatever. I just think they see a guy who knows when it is time to get to work.”