In the Field: Elliott Sadler

I can't say being a media personality was ever near the top of my wish list, but I've gotten a new appreciation for what the media does, by joining the club last season, so to speak.

I'm part of the weekly lineup for Trackside, which plays each Friday night on the SPEED Channel. I'm set to do it for the rest of the year.

Jerry Rice

I have a great time and I get to work with Jeff Hammond, Larry McReynolds and Steve Byrnes and it's just been an awesome experience. Citifinancial is a great partner of mine and for the past two seasons I've worn their brand on the show.

It's a cool deal and always something different -- but last weekend put a new twist on it. I can't tell you what it meant to interview Jerry Rice, a three-time Super Bowl champion.

You all know what a sports fan I am, so of all the people I've interviewed so far on the show, it meant a lot to talk to a guy who represents everything being a person in the NFL should be -- someone you can look up to and a hero to kids, whose work ethic is second to none.

We've all been in a situation where we meet people, whether they're movie stars, athletes or what have you. It really gives you a breath of fresh air when you meet somebody and they're as down to earth as you think they should be, or that you'd want them to be.

He definitely was. He was a very personable guy and he acted like he was living it up and having fun with it, and it was neat to meet somebody with the credentials that he has, the sports ability and athletic ability -- the real superstar status.

And to find out how funny and down to earth he really is.

I think he was a little upset that he didn't win Dancing with the Stars. He brought that up a couple pf times. He was real upset and felt like he'd been robbed on that one.

It was a neat interview for me, so for all the people we've been able to interview on that TV show, to talk to Jerry Rice was probably the coolest thrill I've had in a long time. (Continued)