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NFL-M-8 7/24/97

CARTER TRAINS FOR FUTURE

Even though he is one of the NFL’s premiere players, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter knows his pro football career will not last much longer. For that reason, Carter traded his helmet for a microphone this spring and began training as a football broadcaster.

Carter, who begins his 11th NFL season this year, worked overseas as an analyst on FOX-TV’s FX cable network for two World League games. His first assignment took him to Spain on May 31 where the Barcelona Dragons hosted the Rhein Fire of Dusseldorf, Germany. Carter covered Barcelona again the following week, June 7, when the Dragons traveled to Germany to take on the Frankfurt Galaxy.

Carter had entertained thoughts about becoming a broadcaster for some time and finally got the chance when FOX and FX football producer JEFF GOWEN told him he possessed the tools to become a good broadcaster.

Prior to his first game in Barcelona, Carter trained with Gowen and other members of the FOX team at a television studio in London. He was taught the basics of broadcasting by analyzing previous games and conducting mock broadcasts. He quickly learned that there is more to becoming a successful broadcaster than being a good football player.

"You have to develop skills to be able to talk to people and explain your football knowledge in layman’s terms," said Carter. "Normally I talk in football language, and I had to learn to talk in a language that people understand.

"You also have to talk and express what you see while your producer is talking in your ear at the same time," said Carter. "Sometimes you have to be able to change on the fly and not necessarily explain what happens, but explain why everything happens."

Carter knew it would be difficult to combine working in Europe with preparing for the upcoming NFL season, but he believed the broadcast training was essential for his future.

"June is the time you turn up your football training to get ready for camp," said Carter. "So I had to work out in Europe for the two weeks. I feel I’m at the right stage of my career to begin doing something like this."

Carter enjoyed his new part-time occupation and believes it is something he’ll be doing long after he finishes playing football.

"It was an experience and I need experience," said Carter, the Vikings’ career receiving TD leader. "The one thing all players have in common is that they are going to retire. I’ll be in my second career a lot longer than I played football."

Carter’s football career has been nothing short of sensational.

He will begin his eighth season with the Vikings after three with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has 667 career receptions for 8,367 yards and 76 touchdowns, and needs 33 receptions to become only the eighth player in NFL history to reach 700. Carter is already the Vikings’ all-time receptions (578) and receiving-TD leader (57). He needs 720 receiving yards to surpass ANTHONY CARTER (7,636) as the club’s all-time leader.

In addition, Carter has been named to the past four Pro Bowls. His 53-yard scoring catch in this year’s game gave him a Pro Bowl record three career receiving TDs.