1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen, formerly of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, 2 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: then by way of the Motor City Kiddies. Now he's 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,640 Speaker 1: one of ours, ladies and gentlemen. And my man played 4 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: with his hair on fire in the Cappuccino Capital. You 5 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:16,599 Speaker 1: talk about somebody caring about trying to find a win 6 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: two away from me and up here on the stage 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: of Chiels, Can I get a witness and a raucous 8 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: round of applause for t J Hocking Send TJ. 9 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:28,680 Speaker 2: I'll be doing all right. 10 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks a lot for helping. We greatly appreciate it. 11 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:38,000 Speaker 1: And I meant what I said, You gave absolutely everything 12 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 1: you had Sunday before you got here, you know I was. 13 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: I was kind of in a roundabout way defining when 14 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: when you play a skilled position tight end, wide receiver 15 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 1: running back to a certain extent, they can hand it 16 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 1: to them. But from the catching standpoint, you can be 17 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: ten of ten on point. You can do everything right, 18 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 1: you can practice right, you can watch all the film 19 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: situations right, you can find the perceived L on the 20 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: defense and expose perceived L. But you're reliant on others 21 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: helping to get it to you. That that's what makes 22 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: football the ultimate team game, and it it It may 23 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 1: not have worked out Sunday at Seattle or with the 24 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:26,279 Speaker 1: previous games, but overall, how are you handling this? Because 25 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: this is just what's happening right now at the four 26 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: and eight. It's it's just so different than than you 27 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 1: and so many have seen, you know what I mean, 28 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:35,399 Speaker 1: So like, how do you handle that? 29 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 4: You know, I think it's obviously, uh, it's it's been 30 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 4: a tough year for us. You know, there's a lot 31 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 4: of you know, things that each game presents and and 32 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,760 Speaker 4: things that you can do differently. But I think, uh, 33 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 4: the biggest thing is a you know, a competitor and 34 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 4: and somebody who loves this game and and loves this 35 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 4: organization and and loves me, and uh, playing in Purple 36 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 4: is is just going out there and trying to give 37 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 4: everything you have, every opportunity you're given. And I think 38 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 4: that's what a lot of guys are trying to do 39 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 4: and and and the strain to finish and and you know, 40 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 4: you watch the tape and there's a lot of guys 41 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 4: flying around that's offense defensively, and I just think, you know, 42 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 4: we talk about it a lot. It's a funny shape 43 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 4: ball and and things don't go your way, you know, 44 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 4: whether it's turnovers or you. 45 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: Know, other things. 46 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 4: And but it's just putting, you know, positive stuff on 47 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 4: tape and not you know, showing that you know, I'm 48 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 4: not down on this season, and no one's down on 49 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,519 Speaker 4: the season, and it's just continuing to push forward to 50 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:44,799 Speaker 4: build this thing. 51 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 2: You know, the way we talk about every single. 52 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 5: Year very well described what has it been like throughout 53 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 5: this season, whether okay, into the season, JJ McCarthy is 54 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 5: going to start and we're gonna put all of our 55 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 5: support behind number nine. He gets hurt, then it's Carson 56 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 5: Wentz and then you see JJ back. Now we see 57 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 5: Max Brosmer most recently, just kind of the ebbs and 58 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 5: flows from your position, specifically TJ in terms of at 59 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 5: some times being kind of a mentor just here's what 60 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 5: I want from the kids, or here's what helps with 61 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 5: the kids, working with Carson, and just kind of balancing 62 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 5: that that quarterback kind of carousel that's taking place for 63 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 5: you this year. 64 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it's happened in the past. 65 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 4: I mean we've we've had you know, different guys at 66 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 4: the position, but I think you know, the biggest thing 67 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 4: is just believing in every single guy that's out there, 68 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 4: and we have every single time we've stepped on that field. 69 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 4: You know, the person in the backfield, the person that's 70 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 4: leading the huddle, we've truly believed in and we thought 71 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 4: we were going to come out with a win. 72 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: And I think you know that. 73 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 4: Says a lot about our team, that says a lot 74 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 4: about the culture. But you know, it just hasn't gone 75 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 4: our way, and there's it truly sucks to be able 76 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 4: to come here and you know, not have those wins 77 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 4: for you guys or for us as a team. 78 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 2: So it's been difficult. 79 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 4: But I think you know, there's a there's a lot 80 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 4: of positives to this team, even though the record hasn't 81 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 4: shown it. There's a lot of things that you know, 82 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 4: we're doing well and we're showing that we can do. 83 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 2: But it's it's just pushing it. 84 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 4: Over the goal line and and and really trying to 85 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 4: score points and and help our defense and the in 86 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,839 Speaker 4: ways we can and and and believe in the guys 87 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 4: and that we have in the in the huddle, and 88 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 4: that goes beyond our record, and it goes beyond other things. 89 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 4: It's it's really the culture and and really what we're 90 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 4: trying to build. 91 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 2: So, uh, it's it's been tough. 92 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 4: I won't lie to you, but uh, you know, we 93 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 4: all believe in nine. We all believe in you know, 94 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 4: we believed in Carson when he when he came out, 95 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,479 Speaker 4: and last week. I mean, I don't think you could 96 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 4: have talked to a guy before the game that didn't 97 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 4: say they believed in Max and and what he's shown 98 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 4: and what you know he's done in practice, and and 99 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 4: how he was able to lead that huddle. I think 100 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 4: everybody had confidence in what he was able to do. 101 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 4: It just it just didn't go our way. 102 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 3: Hey, when so this is toys for tots? 103 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: All right? So how old are you? Thirty ish? Twenty eight? Okay, 104 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 1: so let's go back. I don't know, let's go back fifteen, 105 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: maybe seventeen years, like not TJ the tot. But you know, 106 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 1: before you got into big time high school football, Division 107 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:22,280 Speaker 1: I football, drafted very high in the NFL, You've had 108 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: a terrific career when you were when you were a 109 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 1: youngster following your favorite team, how much did you care 110 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:34,039 Speaker 1: about it? Like those Sundays when it came to who 111 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 1: was your favorite team. 112 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 2: Growing up, I was only two hours away from Kansas City. 113 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: Here we go is the Chiefs, Okay, so that I 114 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 1: mean there might have been some Matt Castle in there. 115 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,239 Speaker 2: You know, there's there's the dog Days. 116 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 3: There you go. 117 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:50,799 Speaker 1: But nevertheless, every every Sunday at noon or eleven forty five, 118 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: there's TJ. There's TJ with his family and his friends 119 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: around the TV. We got a TV time out or 120 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 1: a quarter break or a halftime, there's TJ and his 121 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:01,279 Speaker 1: friends outside playing catch. I mean, how much did you 122 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: genuinely care about it when you were young? But rooting 123 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:05,720 Speaker 1: for your team? 124 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, I love I love the game. You know, that 125 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 4: was something my dad grew up a Minnesota Vikings fan. 126 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 4: We always went to the Chiefs games just because that's 127 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 4: how close we were. But you know, you love the game 128 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:21,239 Speaker 4: and you love watching players do their thing on Sunday. 129 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 4: And that's something that I still hold with, you know, 130 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 4: I mean, not everybody is able to go to a 131 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:30,240 Speaker 4: game every single week, and so to be able to 132 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 4: be between the white lines and try to give a 133 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 4: show for for those people that are showing up or 134 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 4: you guys that are showing up, and that that truly 135 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 4: still means something to me and and just trying to 136 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 4: give my all every single game no matter what, you know, 137 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 4: what kind of record we have. So yeah, I love 138 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 4: being around the kids. I love being here at Shields 139 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 4: during this event. 140 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 2: So appreciate you guys having me. 141 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:54,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, And you know, I'm not trying to be master 142 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 1: motivator here or anything or like turn this into a 143 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 1: motivational preach. But I mean for you, not for you, 144 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 1: but for anybody who at four and eight, eight and 145 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 1: four fifteen and one or one in fifteen has problems 146 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 1: finding that extra whatever it takes. Forget the cash, forget 147 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: the Pro Bowls, forget the whole all of the shiny 148 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: toy aspect of it. It's those when you were the 149 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: Chiefs fan and how important it was to you, because 150 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: it's incredibly important to a lot of people, and especially 151 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: a lot of kids, and if it doesn't go the 152 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: right way, they're saddened, you know, not probably throughout the week. 153 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: And if it goes great, well then they're super happy. 154 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 1: But you know, I've always found that to be with 155 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: some players, that just that X because you guys are 156 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 1: always looking for that extra little bit when the body sore, 157 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: the mind's tired, and the kids you know, who count 158 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: on that every single week. 159 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:54,679 Speaker 3: I think that would be it, you know what I mean, Yeah. 160 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 2: No, it is. 161 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 4: I remember, you know, looking up to my idols in 162 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 4: the league and looking and going to those games, and 163 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 4: even though they were you know too and whatever, I 164 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 4: was excited to be there. 165 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 2: I was excited to see that everybody. 166 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 4: And and so I think that's kind of the same 167 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 4: mentality that I go into a game with, is doesn't 168 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 4: matter what we're doing, I'm gonna try to get this 169 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 4: do everything. I kind of get this win this week 170 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 4: and and help my team do that. And it is 171 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 4: the ultimate team sport. You got to have all eleven 172 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 4: and and you know, we've just missed here or there 173 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 4: or whatever it is. 174 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:35,079 Speaker 2: And we we'll get this thing back on track. 175 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 4: But you know, I always appreciate the fans, and I 176 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 4: always appreciate you guys showing up. That's awesome at US Bank. 177 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 4: And it's a lot of fun to play here. And 178 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 4: it's a lot of fun to play for you guys. 179 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 3: A couple more for GJ. Hawkinson, Nordo. 180 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:50,439 Speaker 5: So with uh with five games left in this season, 181 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 5: you know, and it's funny you went down that road 182 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 5: when you were a kid, you latched onto players, right, 183 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 5: the guys that you idolized, and they could have been 184 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 5: a two win team. But anytime that person makes a play, 185 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 5: your lose in your mind in the living room or 186 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 5: if you're at Arrowhead, and just the beauty of that 187 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 5: connection there. So with five games left, I'm just curious 188 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:09,200 Speaker 5: within the locker room now now that you're here and 189 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 5: you play between those white lines. We were talking in 190 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 5: the first segment, like, wow, Dallas Turner a few sacks 191 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 5: in a row here, Wow the season Jalen Redman's having Wow. 192 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 5: Like you think about your guys that are out there 193 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,680 Speaker 5: at this stage of the season. Four wins, maybe the 194 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 5: playoffs aren't in the mix, but it's like still celebrating 195 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 5: those moments and even as a pro kind of latching 196 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 5: onto your guys and celebrating successes within these games. 197 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 2: One hundred percent. 198 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 4: You know, there's a lot of guys on our defense 199 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 4: that are playing really well, and you know, as an 200 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 4: offensive player, you know, I look at that as as 201 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 4: we got to help those guys as much as we can. 202 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,080 Speaker 4: But you know, you do have to you do have 203 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 4: to acknowledge those things, and you know, Dallas Turner and 204 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 4: Dalen Redmond. You know, all these guys that are are 205 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 4: playing really well, you will you know, those are fun 206 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 4: to watch and those are fun too. You know, see 207 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:03,840 Speaker 4: those guys do their thing at the highest level. You know, 208 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 4: there's making no mistake about it. We're playing the best 209 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 4: guys at this at this lead in this world, at 210 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 4: this position, at their position, whatever it is. And uh, 211 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,600 Speaker 4: you have to show out every single Sunday and you 212 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 4: you you still have to you know, do your job 213 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 4: and you're the highest You're playing at the highest level. 214 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 4: So there's no room for air, there's no room for slacking, 215 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 4: there's no room for you know, bringing it down at all. 216 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 4: Not So I think that's a lot of fun to 217 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 4: be able to watch those guys every week and take 218 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 4: those positives and it's just really stacking on that and 219 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 4: from from game to game, from year to year, and 220 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 4: that's what we're trying to do. 221 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: That's, uh, that's team leadership stuff right there. I mean, 222 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: it's like when people are looking for leaders that they 223 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: may want to catch a glimpse on a sideline of 224 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady rolling up and down 225 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: the offensive line and they're cussing and they're mad, and 226 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: they'll look at that leadership right there. He's trying to 227 00:10:58,120 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: pull the best out everybody. 228 00:10:59,640 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 2: Lately. 229 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:03,959 Speaker 1: Leadership, leadership hits in so many different ways. And having 230 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 1: been around TJ now since twenty twenty two, middle of 231 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: that season, in fact, his first game for Washington for 232 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: Minnesota was against Washington. 233 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 3: He've been here like. 234 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 1: Three minutes, got targeted like eleven nine to eleven times 235 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 1: in the first game, and they won the game, and 236 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 1: it was just so great to see it. And you 237 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 1: know what else was great to see despite the loss 238 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: at Seattle, just simply because when you have young quarterbacks, 239 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 1: there's going to be inconsistency. I'm gonna start here with this. 240 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 1: Josh Oliver is the other tight end who plays a 241 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 1: lot like TJ. You because of circumstances, injuries, youth, whatever, 242 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 1: it's been a treaty. Maybe not executing it for you 243 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: because you might want to run down the field and 244 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 1: do your thing every single time. It's been a joy 245 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: watching you adapt this year, and it was some last 246 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 1: year too, but I mean like being handcuffed to a 247 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: tackle or having to do different things as much you've 248 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 1: had to play the Josh Oliver roll a little bit 249 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 1: as much as you have. This year, it's been it's 250 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 1: been a learning experience, hasn't it. 251 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 4: Uh Yeah, I mean it's uh, it's been a different year, 252 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 4: There's no doubt about it. But you know, it's it's uh, 253 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 4: it's been fun to be able to It's always fun 254 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 4: to be able to play this game. There's you know, 255 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 4: there's no doubt about it. There's no uh, you know, 256 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 4: I I've I've wanted to do this since I was, 257 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 4: you know, five six years old. So it's it's always 258 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,440 Speaker 4: a blessing to be able to step between the white 259 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 4: lines and be able to be in that locker room 260 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 4: and be able to be in that huddle, even in 261 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 4: Seattle when it's it's really loud, you know, it's just 262 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 4: it's just a core group of guys and whoever's in 263 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 4: that huddle, you know, again, we have the belief in them. 264 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 4: So you know, I've tried to do everything everything, uh, 265 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 4: you know, in my in my power to win games. 266 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 4: And I think that's every single guy on the field, 267 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 4: and I just don't think sometimes you know, we have 268 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 4: uh that that strainer all eleven on the same on 269 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 4: the same page. 270 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, So you know it has been different, but you have. 271 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 4: To be able to adapt to things like this, and 272 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 4: you have to be able to step in between the 273 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 4: whites and give everything you have. And I think that's 274 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 4: what every single guy on this team is doing. It's 275 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,479 Speaker 4: just it just hasn't hasn't won our way unfortunately. 276 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 1: And lastly, in a team game where I mean, you 277 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:22,319 Speaker 1: got to get A to get to B to get 278 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: to C and guy's got to do D right then 279 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: E right, just to get five yards to make it 280 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: second and five. And that's the complex beauty of football. 281 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: And you know, so it's difficult to take one thing 282 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:41,079 Speaker 1: and say this is the most important thing with this team. 283 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: I'm going to try it right now and just tell 284 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: me what you think about It is the single biggest, 285 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:51,959 Speaker 1: most important facet of the twenty twenty five Minnesota Vikings 286 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 1: in the final five games, the maturation of JJ McCarthy 287 00:13:55,960 --> 00:14:00,079 Speaker 1: and just helping him get comfortable, helping him settle in 288 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 1: to you know, it's it's like we're watching Drake May 289 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 1: last night and I'm like, you go back a year ago. Well, 290 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: he wasn't like that a year ago, and the patients 291 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: were required with him and they're losing a bunch of games, 292 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 1: but and they added Digs and a few other free agents, 293 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: change the coach and stuff, but more has transpired for 294 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:22,239 Speaker 1: those who were patient. Is that, in your estimation, the 295 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: single biggest key for the rest of the year and 296 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: moving into next year. 297 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 4: I think, uh yeah, I mean I think, you know, 298 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 4: I think you know, JJ has the most talent I've 299 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 4: really seen from from anybody. I think it's just uh, 300 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 4: you know, putting those things together, going through his reads 301 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 4: and doing everything. And he's got a lot of guys 302 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,360 Speaker 4: that he can trust, and we have a lot of 303 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 4: trust in him to be able to play his game 304 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 4: and do what we need to do to win. And 305 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 4: I think that's something that you see from this team 306 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 4: that maybe in years past, I've had some losing seasons 307 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 4: that uh, you know a lot of guys lose that 308 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 4: belief for or you lose that uh that edge in 309 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 4: the locker room, and that that's something that you you 310 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 4: haven't seen with this team. Everybody still has belief on 311 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 4: Sunday that we're gonna go to win this game. And 312 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 4: and that's truly special that I think that that shows 313 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 4: the culture that you that they've built here and that 314 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 4: we've built here and so there's nobody giving up. I 315 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 4: think these last five games, we we need to see improvement. 316 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 4: We need to continue to build towards next year and 317 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 4: or whatever. 318 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 2: Is to come the rest of the year. So J. J. 319 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 4: McCarthy, he's my dog, he's one of my boys. He 320 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 4: lives right next to me, so he's over all the time. 321 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,440 Speaker 4: I'm always talking to him, and it's awesome. We again, 322 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 4: we have a lot of belief in him, and I 323 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 4: think there's there's a lot of stuff that he's going 324 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 4: to take forward and and we all have that belief 325 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 4: in him. 326 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 1: You know what, I thank you man, But let let 327 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: me share with the public. He's fantastic, as you just 328 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: heard from the heart T J. Hawkins and ladies and 329 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 1: gentlemen that shields for toys for tots, and he's gonna 330 00:15:57,960 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: go into shopping spray and we're gonna move on to 331 00:15:59,880 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: the ex sagment.