After lengthy suspension, Daryl Washington predicts he'll be HOFer

While the rest of the football world may have forgotten Daryl Washington existed during his three-year suspension from the NFL, the linebacker was planning to eventually reach football immortality.

While Washington was released by Arizona - where he spent the first four years of his career - after his ban for substance abuse ended in May, he earlier predicted big things while interviewing for reinstatement with NFL executive Adolpho Birch.

"He (Birch) asked me, 'How you know I’m not going to see your face again and you’re not going to be in the same situation?'" Washington told USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero. "I said, 'Adolpho Birch, next time you’re going to see me is if you're at my Hall of Fame speech.'

"His eyes just lit up. I said, 'I'm serious, man. I'm serious.' That's what it's about. It's not just about getting back and saying, 'Oh yeah, I made it back.' You have to do something more."

Washington, 30, was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2012, but has not played since the end of the 2013 season. He's also reportedly yet to receive interest from a new team, though he wants to sign with the Dallas Cowboys and believes it will happen.

"I think that star will be on my helmet real soon and it’s going to be a great moment, man," Washington said.