DeKALB | On Sept. 14, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott spoke with the NIU football team after practice.

After addressing the team, Lott talked to the Northern Star about his time with the football team, his playing days and having the tip of his pinky removed.

Northern Star: What did you talk to the NIU football team about?

Ronnie Lott: It’s a simple message. One, it’s an honor to be out here with the sacrifices they’ve made, the fact that they’re out here making this commitment and the fact that that’s what we do in our country better than anyone else in the world.

I just wanted to let them know that I appreciate what they’re doing. Everybody has to have [passion]. It’s not just you’re great players. When you have guys that have that, that’s when you find you have a team.

NS: What did you talk to Garrett Wolfe about?

RL: If there’s anything I know about him, it’s that I know his heart and I just wanted to let him know how much I appreciate his heart and his passion for the game. I told him Walter Payton had the same thing.

NS: Any advice to the NIU defensive backs?

RL: The game of football is about tackling. These guys will tell you that they know what they’ve got to do this week. The fundamentals of the game is what it’s all about.

NS: What did you take the most pride in during your career?

RL: Two things. The first is exhausting opportunities. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have any regrets. The second thing is trying to get respect. There’s nothing better than trying to get respect every time you walk out there.

NS: Tell us about your infamous pinky story.

RL: The funny thing about it is that people say I cut it off at the game. We were playing the Cowboys and I kind of got my hand smashed. I was trying to make a tackle at the end of the game and unfortunately, the guy hit my finger and the front of the finger was gone and the bone in my finger was extracted. Now everybody says I went and cut it off. No, they sewed it back up and I went out there and played the following week.

Andrew Hansen is the NIU volleyball beat reporter for the Northern Star