Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson has insisted that he will approach this weekend's game against former team St Louis Rams as he would any other match.
Jackson joined the Falcons on a three-year deal during the off-season having spent nine years with the Rams, breaking their franchise record for rushing yards in the process.
The 30-year-old admits that his return would be an emotional experience, but hopes to keep those emotions in check and help his new side pick up the win.
"I mean, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to get the win. Of course I want to get the win, but I have to come out there and just remain in the zone, in my focus and not get too up," ESPN quotes Jackson as saying.
"When you allow emotions to take over, your wind becomes shorter, you are not even thinking, you're not on your A-game, so I have to remind myself to stay in control, have the intensity that I normally play with and dial in and treat this game as [any other] I have done over the years.
"[My former teammates] have done a good job of just checking in on me periodically, making sure that things were going smooth for me and wishing me the best of luck on the season. We have all mutually agreed that we are going to play each other hard on Sunday, but after that, you know, we are going to root each other on throughout the season."
Jackson, who was chosen by the Rams in the first round of the 2004 Draft, recorded 10,135 rushing yards and scored 56 rushing touchdowns for his former side.
Barney Corkhill
