As AFL Communications continues its coverage of Super Bowl XLIV from the Media Center at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, former AFLer and long-time Dolphin receiver Orande Gadsden answered questions for ArenaFootball.com.  

EDITOR: Big week over here in Indy Mr. Gadsden. I see you’re chatting it up with the media, talking to Jay Glazer and other national media members. What are you up to this week on Radio Row?  

ORANDE GADSDEN: I had a few interviews. I do the pregame show for the Dolphins down there in Miami at a station over there. We have been getting interviews and I have a few more I have to knock out today. It’s good to see some of the guys I played with, know and admire.  

ED: How has Indianapolis been treating you?  

OG: It’s been a good week. I can only tell you about the past couple of Super Bowls but because of the weather, everybody is having a great time. It’s been fun.  

ED: Long-time NFL career with the Cowboys, Dolphins and Steelers. You also played for the Portland Forest Dragons of the AFL, winning the League’s Rookie of the Year Award. Tell me about your AFL experience.  

OG: It was rejuvenating for my career. I loved every minute of it. It got me to where I was. Just like everybody else, when you play wide receiver, you need confidence. You have to know that you can still play and it gave me that confidence. It gave me hope to keep on fighting and I did. I was able to make it to different places because of it. I will always appreciate the AFL.  

ED: Personally, I remember your acrobatic catches with the Dolphins. You always found a way to bring the ball in. How did your time in the AFL help with that?  

OG: It helped tremendously because the AFL is all one-on-one coverage. When you get to the NFL, that kind of transfers over. The best part about it is I played 16 games in the AFL and went straight into NFL training camp. It was great. That was the best year of my life.  

ED: And there are guys like that now. AFL to NFL guys going straight into the NFL after a full AFL season. Look at Rod Windsor and Kelvin Kinney. You did it. How do you guys do that?  

OG: I know what they go through. I played in three Leagues in one year. You figure if you stop, you wont be able to start again. You keep playing and if you are doing well, you want to keep in on a roll. I won the Rookie of the Year in the AFL then went right into NFL camp. I was ready to go! Everyone else was just getting it together and getting in shape. I loved it!  

ED: What are you doing now?  

OG: After my last year with the Dolphins, I launched a clothing brand called OG. I’m still doing that. I’m the Athletic Director at a high school in Florida. I’m also doing pregame with the Dolphins. It has blossomed into a nice career for me and I got the confidence to do it from the AFL.  

ED: Big game on Sunday. Giants vs. Patriots. Who are you going with?  

OG: I have to go with the Patriots. Tom Brady will get that fourth ring.  

ED: Orande, great speaking with you today. Enjoy the game!