1 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: Welcome into Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink here 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,959 Speaker 1: with Garrett Downing and we are thrilled to sit down 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. So, DeAndre, I mean, the 4 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:17,439 Speaker 1: vibes around the building this week are impeccable and to me, 5 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: like it almost feels like, you know, like you made 6 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: a bad decision in life. You end up in the hospital, 7 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: you're in a coma. You wake up from the coma 8 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: and you're like, oh my god, I have a new life. 9 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: I'm never going to do that bad stuff again. I'm 10 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: cleaning now right, Like, can you describe what the feeling 11 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: is like in this building? 12 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:35,640 Speaker 2: Man? 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 3: That's definitely a good way to describe it, for sure. 14 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 3: You know, we think that we deserve to be in 15 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 3: this position as a football team. The work we put in, 16 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 3: how we practice all season training to be in this position. 17 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 3: It took some teams to beat some teams, and that's 18 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 3: the way it goes. Sometimes you don't want to depend 19 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 3: on certain things like that, but this is football and 20 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 3: all you want is a chance to play meeting for 21 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 3: football in December, especially with the team like we have, 22 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 3: and we put ourselves in that position. So we think 23 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 3: we deserve it and we know we're capable of once 24 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 3: we get into you know, January football. So you know 25 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 3: right now is handling it this week, and that's what 26 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 3: we're going to focus on. 27 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 4: What was the first thought you had when you knew 28 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 4: that you were gonna have a chance for a win 29 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 4: and get in game against the Steelers? 30 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 3: First at I had was get my body ready to 31 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 3: prepare for January football. Playoff football is different going you know, 32 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,039 Speaker 3: being in your thirteen. You know, for myself, I just 33 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 3: want to be able to be reliable and be out 34 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 3: there for my teammates. So for myself, it was what 35 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 3: can I do to give my team the best chance 36 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 3: to win? You know when my numbers called, And so 37 00:01:55,080 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 3: for myself it was, you know, all right to go, 38 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 3: I need to go do some money. 39 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 5: Right now. 40 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 2: But exactly that was my mind. 41 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 4: So for you, like some of that stood out to 42 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 4: me really since the day that you signed here and 43 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:12,959 Speaker 4: throughout the season. Is that like at this point of 44 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,359 Speaker 4: your career kind of to what you're talking about, You're 45 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 4: not like a volume guy like you were earlier in 46 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 4: the season that's just going to get a ton of targets, 47 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 4: But every time the ball comes your way. To me, 48 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 4: it seems like it's a huge situation. It's third down, 49 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 4: it's a it's a pass of the red zone. Like 50 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 4: they're all big situations. And now you as you go 51 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,679 Speaker 4: into this game, it feels like to me like this 52 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 4: is the game that you were brought here for. You 53 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 4: were brought here for this game and for hopefully the 54 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 4: playoffs beyond that. Is that the way that you look 55 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 4: at it too. 56 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 3: Of course, for me, I want to be out there. 57 00:02:42,919 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 3: I'm a competitor. That's why I play this game. So 58 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 3: I'll never look at it as you know, all right, 59 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:52,240 Speaker 3: I'm here just for this situation, that situation. But you know, 60 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 3: like you said, I just wanted to be able to 61 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 3: be reliable when the ball came my way. And you know, 62 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,679 Speaker 3: I think, I think the coaches and thank Lamar, that's 63 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 3: new for coming to me in those situations that they 64 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 3: have h So for me, obviously, this is a big weekend, 65 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 3: you know, being on the team last year and knowing 66 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 3: what it takes and knowing how to prepare to be 67 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 3: in that game. You know, for me, you know, it's 68 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 3: something that I can pass to you know, Zay and Bait, 69 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 3: you know, like these these are the things you know 70 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 3: this defense is doing, but this is also you know, 71 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 3: how to how to prepare your body for this long stretch. 72 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 3: You know, it's it's different. 73 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: You're you're one of the top contested catch receivers of 74 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: all time. Explain to listeners and viewers how you got 75 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: so good at that? 76 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 3: Ah Man, You know, I would definitely say practice and 77 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 3: muscle memory, going out and doing it over and over, 78 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 3: and just having a mindset when the balls in the air, 79 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 3: trusting your hands and not your body, but sometimes it 80 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 3: is your body, so just really having hand our coordination and. 81 00:03:57,320 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 2: You know, doing it over and over. 82 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 3: I played the back growing up in quarterback, so really 83 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 3: didn't get a chance to really hone in on a 84 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 3: receiver position until I would say. 85 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 2: My junior year of college college. 86 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, my freshman year, sophomore year, I was still new 87 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 3: to playing receiver. My junior year of college, I felt 88 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 3: like I kind of was mastering the receiver position. And 89 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 3: also I played basketball, so high pointing is something that 90 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 3: I always was good at in basketball. But I would 91 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 3: say just really, you know, practicing. I wasn't a receiver 92 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 3: my whole life. I was a dB, so my mindset 93 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 3: is always to just get to the ball first. 94 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, can you kind of explain that that mindset? 95 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: You know, it seems like certainly you seem like a 96 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: guy balls in the air. That ball's mine. I don't 97 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 1: care what it takes, that ball is mine. How do 98 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 1: you develop that mindset. 99 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 3: Trusting your hands, trusting your ability to go out and 100 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:59,919 Speaker 3: make those catches. You know, some guys really, you know, 101 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 3: don't trust their hands, so you know their their mindset is, 102 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 3: you know, let me let me body catch it, or 103 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 3: you know it has to be the perfect ball. 104 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 2: But you know, for me. 105 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 3: Is just trusting my trusting my skills set, and trusting 106 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 3: my hands. 107 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 5: I'm confused. I'm going to go back. 108 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,479 Speaker 4: You were a dB, Like you have the best hands 109 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 4: I think that I've ever seen. And like the reputation 110 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 4: on DB's is like you play dB because you can't catch, 111 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 4: like your physical you can't catch. 112 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 5: Well, he was playing DV found out he could catch. Like, 113 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 5: why were you in dB first? And then then how 114 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 5: did that transition happen? 115 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 2: Well, it was the opposite for me. 116 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 3: I'm not sure if I still hold the state record 117 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 3: in South Carolina. I played dB for three years my 118 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 3: sophomore through my senior year and my first year I 119 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 3: had eighteen interceptions, my second year had nine, and I 120 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 3: think I had eight seven my my senior year. 121 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 2: Wow. 122 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 5: Yeah, so everyone's like, this guy can catch. 123 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. 124 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 3: So catching was was something that wasn't, you know, never 125 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 3: a question for me playing dB. It was you know, 126 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 3: going in there and hitting hitting the two hundre your 127 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 3: pound two to twenty pound full back you know sometimes 128 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 3: but nah, but it was the opposite for me. And 129 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 3: so Clemson knew that I could catch, and they had 130 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 3: trouble at receiver, so they were like, you know, let's 131 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 3: just put him out there and see what he can do. 132 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 3: And I think the first, I would say my first 133 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 3: statement catch was against Georgia Tech my freshman year and 134 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 3: it was a one handed sideline catch. 135 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:23,840 Speaker 2: I think the first game I played. 136 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I barely could get off the press. I 137 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 3: barely knew how to run a round. But you know, 138 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 3: they were like, all right, we got something to work 139 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 3: with here. 140 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 4: So I want to this season for you. You know, 141 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 4: it's been a little bit up and down. Obviously the 142 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 4: team started. They struggled one to five to start the season, 143 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 4: and fight your way all the way back to the 144 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 4: position that we just talked about. How have you handled 145 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:48,840 Speaker 4: this year, the ups and downs and kind of the 146 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 4: emotions of it all. 147 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 2: I've enjoyed it. 148 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 3: I've been playing football for a long time, so you know, 149 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 3: you you can't read into everything that you hear in 150 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 3: the media. When you know you have a team like 151 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 3: we have to be in this position, you enjoy it 152 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,920 Speaker 3: and you embrace it. I knew when we were one 153 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 3: to five that we were a better team than what 154 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 3: our stat said. We just had to put it together, 155 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 3: and we did that. We put a few games together, 156 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 3: and that's when everyone in the outside world knew that 157 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 3: this team is who we thought they were, and we 158 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 3: always knew we were, you know, a capable team of 159 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 3: playing January football. We just had to put it together 160 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 3: and injury certain things that you can't control, goals with 161 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 3: the game, and you know we're here now where we 162 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 3: are with the record. But you know, I've enjoyed it. 163 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 3: I've embraced it. You know, last year I was obviously 164 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 3: on the team that lost two games, and one of 165 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 3: those was the Super Bowl. The year before, you know, 166 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 3: I think I might have won a couple of games 167 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 3: in Tennessee, So you know, I've never really worried about 168 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 3: the record. It's just you know, how guys are embracing 169 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 3: the journey and you know, how are the leaders leading, 170 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 3: Because you know, it's more to learn than you know 171 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 3: just what you see on the field about about records 172 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 3: and things like this, you know, you learn a lot 173 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 3: about yourself. 174 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: I'm sure a big part of the reason why you 175 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: signed in Baltimore was, Hey, this is a really good 176 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: team that's most likely going to be back in the 177 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: playoffs and make a run at it. And like you 178 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 1: were kind of seen as that guy who maybe could 179 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: be that missing piece to get us over the hump, right, 180 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: make those clutch plays. Now that you're on the precipice 181 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 1: of this AFC North title game, with the playoffs right 182 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: there within your grasp, Like, how hungry are you for 183 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 1: that chance to get back in the dance again? 184 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 2: Oh? 185 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 3: Very hungry. And if you know me, you know I'm 186 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 3: a competitor at everything. I love competing, and I definitely, 187 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 3: you know, as a free agent, had the mindset thinking 188 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 3: coming into the season last year, well this year, that 189 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 3: this team is you know, a couple of players away, 190 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 3: and I felt that obviously, you know, having two receivers. 191 00:08:58,440 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 2: That have been here. 192 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 3: I knew my role would be, and I've embraced that 193 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 3: first couple of games. Obviously you guys seen you know, yeah, yeah, yeah, 194 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 3: Lamar and not connecting the way we did, and you 195 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 3: know I knew that that was something that you know, 196 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 3: we could continue to do throughout the season. But obviously, 197 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 3: you know, you got two receivers and you got two 198 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 3: tight ends. 199 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 2: That deserve a ball and that are good. 200 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 3: So you know, I never, you know, really allowed myself 201 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:33,080 Speaker 3: to to, you know, get upset. I'm year thirteen, man. 202 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 3: I know you know, I know my role. I know 203 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 3: who I am, and I know what I can do. 204 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 3: You know, when the ball come away, like you guys said, 205 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 3: you know, I come down with it more unlikely. 206 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 2: So you know I coming into the season, of course, 207 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 2: super Bowl. 208 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 3: Team was on my was on my mind, and I 209 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 3: think everybody else is. 210 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 5: Uh. 211 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 2: Did I think I was the key piece? 212 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 3: You know, I'm not gonna say I thought I was 213 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 3: a key piece, but I knew I could help take 214 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:00,559 Speaker 3: some pressure some guys. 215 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 4: You've shown that year you still got plenty of guests 216 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 4: left in the tank. Do you know how much longer 217 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 4: you want to keep playing? 218 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 3: This game, Man, I love this game. I know I 219 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 3: can keep playing this game. I know I can go 220 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 3: out and beat you know what teams call their number 221 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,199 Speaker 3: one dbs. As you guys seen the first game of 222 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 3: the year, you know, the first first catch, first touchdown 223 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 3: that I had against you know who is one of 224 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:25,479 Speaker 3: the highest. 225 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 2: Paid DB's in the game. You know. 226 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,719 Speaker 3: So for myself, I know what I can do, and 227 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 3: I know I still got some years left. 228 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 2: But you know who knows? Man? 229 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 3: Who knows? I definitely want to play. I know I 230 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 3: want to play one more year for sure, and I'll 231 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 3: be a free agent next year. So you know, I 232 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 3: enjoyed the game and I imburse everything that comes with it. 233 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 4: I don't want to put the cart too far in 234 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 4: front of the horse. But are you hoping that one 235 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:48,959 Speaker 4: more years here? 236 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:50,479 Speaker 2: You know? I love this organization. 237 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 3: I love everything that these guys stand for here, from 238 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 3: ownership all the way down to the equipment staff. You know, 239 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 3: many everybody in this facility and his organization has embraced me. 240 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 3: And you know I've I've enjoyed my time here. My 241 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 3: family likes it here. So who knows, man? 242 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, now I know Lamar and Derrick Henry were two 243 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 1: other big reasons why you wanted to come here. What 244 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: have you learned about each of those guys kind of 245 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 1: being in the same locker room and seeing their work 246 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 1: up close. 247 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 3: And that their their competitors. They work, they're putting a 248 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:26,679 Speaker 3: lot of work. Obviously through outside world doesn't see it. 249 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 3: And you know, Lamar is a guy who he does 250 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 3: a lot of stuff to be ready for Sunday. The 251 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 3: way he prepares his mindset, his his instinct, you know, 252 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,679 Speaker 3: he has that that that that killing mentality. Uh and 253 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 3: Derek as well as you guys see the way he 254 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:49,320 Speaker 3: prepares his body, the way he goes about his daily routine. 255 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:51,319 Speaker 3: And I was with him in tendency, so I got 256 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 3: to see it there. But you know, being around Lamar, 257 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 3: I didn't know that. You know, this guy is as 258 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 3: competitive as he is. You know, some guys have a 259 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 3: natural ability like he does, but he also has you know, 260 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:06,680 Speaker 3: the smarts and the ins and outs of knowing football. 261 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 1: How do you see that competitiveness in him? Like, how 262 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: does that express itself? 263 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:11,079 Speaker 2: Man? 264 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 3: Everything he does you know from man, if it's something 265 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 3: in locker room, a game that we're playing he wants 266 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,840 Speaker 3: to win, or if it's you know, just man everything. 267 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 3: You know, from day one, I remember playing basketball and 268 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 3: he was in there, you know, playing basketball with someone 269 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 3: and you know he didn't want to lose, you know. 270 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 3: But yeah, you see it in just the camaraderie that 271 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 3: he has with everyone in locker room. You know, he 272 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 3: makes he makes it a point to make everyone in 273 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:44,960 Speaker 3: locker room feel at home. New guys, older guys like myself. 274 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 3: He embraces everyone and he'll go, you know and talk 275 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:51,080 Speaker 3: to everyone. You know, a rookie, you know, it doesn't matter. 276 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,319 Speaker 3: So I think that means a lot, you know, to 277 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 3: certain people who is new to this organization, who knows 278 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 3: that you know, Lamar Jackson is you know, a key 279 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 3: guy in this organization that he comes and you know, 280 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 3: talks to everyone, so you know him. 281 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 2: And there they do a good job of leading us to. 282 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 4: And DeAndrea last thing, you know, because I know we 283 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 4: got to rap here. But I know fashion is a 284 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 4: huge thing for you, right, so that is part of 285 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 4: your You're at the met Gala, You're at Paris Fashion Week, 286 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 4: like you've been at these things. How did all this 287 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 4: interest come about? And how would you describe your fashion sense? 288 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 2: Man? 289 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 3: It came about, Uh, just as a kid. Honestly, you know, 290 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 3: it probably started when my mom used to dress my 291 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 3: brother and now the same man, I used to want 292 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 3: to dress different because I got tired of dressing like 293 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 3: my brother on Sundays at church. And so I was like, 294 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 3: you know, whenever I get a chance, I'm definitely doing 295 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 3: something unique. 296 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 2: Nah. But my mom, I. 297 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:47,679 Speaker 3: Would say it started with her just making sure you know, 298 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 3: my my brother and I and my other siblings, you know, 299 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 3: we were we were well dressed on Sundays, even going 300 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 3: to school. She would make sure that we we had, 301 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,439 Speaker 3: you know, the clothes that we wanted. She worked hard 302 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 3: for that. So that mentality just kind of stuck with me. 303 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 3: And being in South Carolina, being a Southern boy. You know, 304 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 3: I would say, just you know, having their church background. 305 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 1: Man, I like how you're fashion also, you are like 306 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 1: we can do fashion on a budget. That speaks to 307 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: me as a cheap guys, you know, like you can 308 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:18,760 Speaker 1: look good without spending a ton of more. 309 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 3: Likely man, a lot of people don't understand that. Man, 310 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:23,160 Speaker 3: It's not about you know, how much money or jury 311 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 3: that you spend on something, but it's how you put 312 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 3: it together. And you know, courters zip as you you know, 313 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 3: or sweatshirts like you guys got on. Man, that's you man, 314 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:33,480 Speaker 3: you know that's your style. Man, that's what making you. 315 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 5: He's got the better fit here. 316 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:40,680 Speaker 3: Oh man, it's a time. I like the Swiss shirt, 317 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 3: but I like the Nikes that you got, but I 318 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 3: like the Swiss shirt. 319 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 5: Thank you so much, man, it's been a pleasure. 320 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 2: I appreciate you. Guys. 321 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 4: We're coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio. We 322 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 4: want to mention our partners with Draftking sports Book. They 323 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 4: are an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens 324 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 4: Draftking Sportsbook. The crown is yours. Well, big thanks to 325 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 4: DeAndre Hopkins. And clearly he likes my fit. 326 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 5: That's a big takeaway. 327 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 4: No, bots, he gave you credit for the boots, but overall, 328 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 4: you know, he gave me the But look, I said 329 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 4: it to him, and I really feel this way. I 330 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 4: just think that he is somebody. From the day he's 331 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 4: signed here, I never felt like, oh, he's gonna be 332 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 4: a thousand yard receiver here. But I felt like, if 333 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 4: the Ravens go far and they make it to the 334 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 4: playoffs and they go on a run, we're gonna be 335 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 4: looking at some huge catches from DeAndre Hopkins and big 336 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 4: moments down the stretch. 337 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 5: You're not gonna have some big catches in Pittsburgh Hopkins. 338 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, I even go back, Yeah, yes, in general, but 339 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 4: I think like the day he signed, I was like, 340 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 4: if this team goes on a run, DeAndre Hopkins is 341 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 4: going to have a big piece of that in critical moments. 342 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 4: And that was in the most critical moments. Is this 343 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 4: Sunday in Pittsburgh. 344 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: That's what I'm saying. Yeah, I'm saying, like Diav's gonna 345 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: make a couple catcher two or something like that when 346 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 1: the Ravens really need him in Pittsburgh this Sunday night. 347 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: That's what I'm predicting. H And so yeah, I mean 348 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: this is this is the moment. And and of course 349 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 1: there's a lot of moments like that over the course 350 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: of a season, and he's stepped up in some of 351 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 1: those already, you know, making third down catches and whatnot. 352 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: And uh yeah, I think that's going to continue. And 353 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: you know, if the Ravens win in Pittsburgh, then certainly 354 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: in the playoffs, he's going to be a guy in 355 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: some of those critical situations that they turned to yeah, 356 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 1: and and like I mean he had he had a 357 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 1: season high in receptions and targets in New England. Right 358 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: the last time Lamar Jackson was on the field, de 359 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:33,280 Speaker 1: Hot was getting a lot of a lot of looks. So, like, 360 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: the Ravens have been pretty clear over the course of 361 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 1: the season, like, yeah, we want to get de Hot 362 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: more involved in this offense. And I think that they 363 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: were kind of ramping up into that in that New 364 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: England game. And it wouldn't surprise me if Lamar returns 365 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 1: to play the Steelers if that continues. 366 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, Well, a big piece of this, it kind of 367 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 4: goes back to the age old dilemma that we've talked 368 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 4: about with this offense is that you got a lot 369 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 4: of different mouths to feed in this one football And 370 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 4: right now, you know, the biggest bellcal of this offense 371 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 4: is ic Henry. He's turning off a monster game in 372 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 4: Green Bay. So you say, you want to get that 373 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 4: ground game roll and you want to continue with that. 374 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 4: If you're not putting the ball in the air that much, 375 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:13,360 Speaker 4: that limits opportunities for everybody. But still, like I'm yup, 376 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 4: may have one catch on Sunday, but I think that 377 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 4: one catch could be a third night conversion in the 378 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 4: fourth quarter that ends up putting the Ravens in position 379 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 4: to go win the game. 380 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,640 Speaker 5: Like that, that's the impact plays. 381 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 4: I don't I'm not sure there's a guy feel better 382 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 4: about being targeted in those types of situations. He's ready 383 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 4: for that challenge, and as we talked about with him, 384 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 4: like he's beaten top corners and he's come up with 385 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 4: big plays and even if he's not open, he's open, 386 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 4: and so I think that all those things lend themselves 387 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:42,479 Speaker 4: to him having some huge moments here down the stretch, 388 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 4: and I'm excited to see what he can do on 389 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 4: Sunday and ideally beyond. 390 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think it's been a good signing for the Ravens. 391 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 1: And like he said, when he's signed here and everything, 392 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:55,399 Speaker 1: like he knew what his role was going to be 393 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,679 Speaker 1: in this wide receiver room with Save Flowers and Rasha 394 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: Bateman and all the other targets. And I think maybe 395 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,640 Speaker 1: some people on the outside because it's d hop right, 396 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 1: it's Nuke, like this guy is one of the best 397 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 1: receivers of his generation. He very well could end up 398 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:11,040 Speaker 1: in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Like I think 399 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: he should, Yeah, exactly. So like when you add a 400 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,880 Speaker 1: guy like that, I think there's all these outside expectations 401 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 1: of like, oh man, he's gonna get all these targets 402 00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 1: and you know, all this stuff kind of like when 403 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,679 Speaker 1: Odell Beckham came here, you know, and like, but it 404 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 1: is what it is, Like he's nearing the end of 405 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 1: his career. Whenever that is, it's not gonna be after 406 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 1: you know, this season. Yeah, but like you have to 407 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 1: take all of that with a grain of salt, Like 408 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 1: all those factors combined. I think it's been a successful 409 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:39,959 Speaker 1: campaign so far for DeAndre Hopkins. 410 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 2: Could it have been more? Sure? 411 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: But like anytime if you say, well d hop should 412 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: have been getting the ball more, well, that takes Do 413 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: you want to take the ball away from Save Flowers 414 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: because he's been pretty great this year? Like who you 415 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 1: exactly who you're taking it away from? So, like, I 416 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: think it's been a pretty good fit. 417 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 5: Yeah, I agree with that. 418 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 4: I also think that when you look at at it 419 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,399 Speaker 4: on the big picture level, just like in terms of 420 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 4: the entire team of you got the second lease on 421 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 4: life and you have another shot, I think that that 422 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:10,359 Speaker 4: applies to so many different levels of this team. Like 423 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 4: it applies on the grand level, but then it also 424 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:15,199 Speaker 4: applies to guys like Hockmans where it's like, Okay, hasn't 425 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 4: had as many opportunities as you probably would like. You'd 426 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 4: like to get him more involved here down the stretch. Okay, 427 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 4: here's the opportunity. Now you get a chance to go 428 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 4: do it. And and John Harball made that point clear 429 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:26,919 Speaker 4: about a month ago where he said, we need to 430 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:29,119 Speaker 4: get him more involved. He's a big time player and 431 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 4: we need to get him the ball more. And I 432 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 4: think that this Sunday is going to be a chance 433 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 4: to do that. And I'm excited to see what he does. 434 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 4: I think he's just I think he's fit in well. 435 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 4: I think he's brought some leadership, he's bought a mentality 436 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 4: and an edge. I've liked getting to know him. I've 437 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 4: liked his the energy that he's brought to this team, 438 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 4: the work ethic, all those things. I think he's been 439 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 4: a really nice addition. 440 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I can't wait to see what he does 441 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh in a AFC North title game. Thank you 442 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 1: for listening as welway as you can reach us at 443 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: the lounge at Ravens dot NFL dot net. Big thanks 444 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:03,399 Speaker 1: to dihap for joining us, and we'll be back with 445 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:05,639 Speaker 1: you later this week to get you ready for that 446 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 1: game against the Steelers.