Derrick Ross has already surpassed the AFL’s all-time rushing yardage mark. He’s looking for the rushing touchdown record next.
Football fans in Philadelphia have seen some great rushers over the years. Guys like Wilbert Montgomery, Brian Westbrook, Ricky Watters and LeSean McCoy. Add one more name to that list, Soul fullback Derrick Ross.
“The Boss,” his unofficial nicknamed, has earned a place atop the AFL record books. Ross became the AFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards, with 1,618, surpassing Bo Kelly’s mark of 1,571. His teammates and peers around the league were shocked that he broke Kelly’s record.
“They couldn’t believe that I did it. They were actually happy for me,” said Ross. “Everybody in the locker room was happy for me and still happy for me no matter what.”
The 29-year old Ross is in his second season with the Soul. He said he’s been receiving a lot of positive reception across the area. In addition to his yardage record, Ross has a shot at surpassing the AFL’s all-time rushing touchdown mark. He stands at 101 after scoring one in Saturday’s 58-26 win over Chicago.
“They [fans] have been giving me so much love,” Ross said. “I get love from people I don’t even know, but people have been coming from the woodworks and congratulating me on the victory, and on the rushing title, that’s always awesome.”
Ross, who played one NFL season with Kansas City in 2006, stated that his NFL experience taught him how to become a better fullback.
“It helps a lot because it teaches me patience, no matter where I’m at with the offensive line,” Ross said.
Ross still hasn’t closed the door on trying to make an NFL team in the near future. One person close to Ross believes he can make it at the next level.
“He’s as good as he wants to be. He’s a fullback for sure, not a running back at 285 pounds,” Soul coach Clint Dolezel said. “He can definitely go play fullback with somebody if given the opportunity, but he’s got to want to pursue that dream and I don’t know if that’s in his dream right now.”
