1 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: This is the OTP. I'm Amy Wells. Well, guys, we've 2 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 1: officially entered the dark days of summer, the five week 3 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 1: period between the end of the off season program and 4 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: before training camp. It's the calm before the storm, and 5 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: really it's not that bad. It's a chance to spend 6 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 1: time with family, rest and prepare for the upcoming season. 7 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: It's a good final reset for the players and coaches 8 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: before the final push before the regular season begins, or 9 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 1: this is what we tell ourselves. For us, it felt 10 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: like a really good time to dig into the archives 11 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: to share some of the conversations that we've had over 12 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,160 Speaker 1: the last few months that we haven't had a chance 13 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: to share yet. There are some new faces and voices 14 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: to the organization that we think you should know as 15 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: we head into training camp. So the first is name 16 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: that you've heard a lot throughout the off season program, 17 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,320 Speaker 1: especially if you listen to the OTP. He's a new 18 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: linebacker that the Titans brought in during free agency. He's 19 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: a guy with a lot of talent, a Super Bowl appearance, 20 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:17,759 Speaker 1: and a whole lot of horses. Meet Cody Barton. Cody 21 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 1: Barton is one of the newest linebackers here. For the 22 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans, and we've got them right here on the OTP. Cody, 23 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: it is so good to finally have a chance to 24 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 1: meet you a little bit, and we're so excited to 25 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:29,880 Speaker 1: have you here in Nashville. I feel like your career 26 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: has been a lot of cross country travel. You went 27 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: from Seattle to DC, to Denver and now to Nashville. 28 00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 1: You've kind of been all over the place. Why was 29 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: Nashville such a good fit for you in this next 30 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: part of your career. 31 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 2: Well, first, they believed in me, which is good. You know, 32 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 2: that's a good feeling. And they wanted me, and so, 33 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 2: you know, I'm very blessed to, you know, find a 34 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 2: home here in Nashville. And the way the defense is 35 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: ran to very aggressive, the way coach Wilson runs it, 36 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 2: and so it's a good fit. 37 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: I feel like your your journey has been a very 38 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: interesting one because you started off your first couple of 39 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 1: years of your career in Seattle, big special teams player, 40 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,960 Speaker 1: but didn't get as many reps as a linebacker. Finally 41 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: you got your chance, and it felt like your career 42 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: has just improved exponentially after that. In Denver, you were 43 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 1: playing something like ninety something percent of the defensive snaps, 44 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 1: which is wild. As your career has evolved and you've 45 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 1: continue to grow and get more of those reps and 46 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,359 Speaker 1: get more of that opportunity to contribute, how do you 47 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,440 Speaker 1: feel like you have grown as a player At the 48 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:34,079 Speaker 1: same time, I feel I've gon a lot. 49 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:35,959 Speaker 2: I mean, like you said, my first three years in 50 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 2: Seattle just doing special teams. There was a few games 51 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 2: that played just when guys got hurt or something like that. 52 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 2: My fourth year so doing special teams, but also got 53 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: a chance to start on defense. And so I feel 54 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: like my last year in Seattle playing demons, really my 55 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 2: year one, if that makes sense. 56 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: You don't to us totally. 57 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,800 Speaker 2: But then after that I go to DC and do 58 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 2: one year there, then go to Denver do one year there. 59 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:01,799 Speaker 2: But I felt my games just cap descending defensively, And 60 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:03,919 Speaker 2: it was the same thing with my special teams. For 61 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:05,239 Speaker 2: the first three years it was just as sending a 62 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 2: sending and then back down to defense as sending a sending. 63 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 2: So now we're going to the year four playing defense, and uh, 64 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 2: it's been a good journey. You know, everyone's journey is 65 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 2: their own. You come in the league having this picture 66 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 2: perfect plan of like I'm going to ball for four 67 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 2: years defense right away and then you know what I mean, 68 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 2: But it's never just like life. It's never that way, 69 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 2: you know what I mean. There's there's all these turns 70 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 2: and adversities and all that things. And so, you know, 71 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 2: I'm just fortunate to be here in Nashville, and I'm 72 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 2: very excited. 73 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 1: Where are you hoping to make the biggest impact on defense? 74 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 2: Just with my leadership, you know, and just building on 75 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 2: the culture they have and just creating that more of 76 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 2: a tight knit brotherhood and just you know, helping build 77 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 2: the culture that. 78 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 3: We have here. 79 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: I think you're interesting because you're from Utah. Originally you 80 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: went to school at the University of Utah, and your 81 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: whole family, it feels like, went there's what was there 82 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 1: ever a world that existed where you were not going 83 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: to be a ute? 84 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 3: No? 85 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 2: No, yes. So my mom and dad both played at Utah, 86 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 2: so I met and they ended up staying in Utah. 87 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 2: And so then when we were all born, our goal was, 88 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 2: you know, we want to go play with the you 89 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 2: like our parents did. So my older brother went there, 90 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 2: then I went there, that my sister played vollaball there, 91 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 2: and then my little brother's a senior there. 92 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, he's the last one. It's so cool though, 93 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: to have a family legacy and to really be like 94 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 1: all in on a school and just a region. That's 95 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 1: such a neat thing to have. But also there's got 96 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 1: to be a lot of competition within your family. If 97 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: all of your siblings went there and played sports there, 98 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 1: I mean, that's got to be wild, right, Yeah, it's 99 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: pretty cool. 100 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 2: I mean not just I mean we all expected we'd 101 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 2: go there, Like our whole dream was to go to 102 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 2: the You and then go pro. And I mean it 103 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 2: took kind of hard to explain it, just because I 104 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:48,160 Speaker 2: grew up in it. But we all expect that out 105 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:49,720 Speaker 2: of each other, and so to us it's not. 106 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 1: As a big deal, right, that's just the stand. 107 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 2: Yeah, I just our standard that we have as a family. 108 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 2: But like, outside of going to you and all that stuff, 109 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 2: everything we do in our life is competitive. You know, 110 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 2: who's going to get to the try uck first, Who's 111 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 2: going to finish our food first? You know what I mean, 112 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 2: every little thing turns into a little competitive game and 113 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 2: who can win as something just there's always something find 114 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 2: ways to win, you know, but it's. 115 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: Fun having that standard in your house and growing up 116 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: with it to where it doesn't even feel weird to 117 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: be that competitive. 118 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 3: Though. 119 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: That's got to impact the way that you not only 120 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 1: interact with people when you're at work, your very competitive job, 121 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: but also the way that you prepare. 122 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 2: Right, yeah, And I think the way we were raised 123 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 2: in that competitive atmosphere just it's translated not just into football, 124 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:33,919 Speaker 2: but just into how we are, how we live our lives, 125 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,720 Speaker 2: you know. Just and I think if you have a 126 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 2: drive and you have that competitive nature in you, it's 127 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 2: just not just in football alone, or it just kind 128 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 2: of brings out the best in you and brings up 129 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 2: in the best in others, you know what I mean, 130 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 2: just around you. And so, you know, very fortunate the 131 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 2: way our parents raised us. You know, at times it 132 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 2: wasn't easy. In our dad. It's pretty hard on us. 133 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:53,840 Speaker 2: But uh, you know, at the time when I was young, 134 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 2: I'd be like, you know, I feel like I didn't 135 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 2: like my dad at the time. But looking back, as 136 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 2: you mature, right, you just you realize that they want 137 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 2: the best for you, and that's why they were pushing. 138 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 1: Us as such a competitor Is that why you like 139 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: a more aggressive style of defense. 140 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. And also I think that's due to personality. I 141 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 2: feel like I have a pretty aggressive personality, but I 142 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 2: don't know, I've always been pretty aggressive, but I don't know. 143 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:22,279 Speaker 2: Maybe maybe it does, I'm not sure. 144 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 1: Okay, I've got to ask you. You have a ranch, 145 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 1: grew up on a ranch? Explain your ranch? Do you 146 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: just have one? 147 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 2: So we have a family ranch. Okay, that's called the 148 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 2: Barton Ranch in Utah. Cant dis close the location. 149 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 1: That's okay, we don't need to know. 150 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: Or we middle of nowhere, Utah. But yeah, we got 151 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:43,360 Speaker 2: a ranch out there. My dad and uncle are first 152 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 2: generation ranchers two thousand and one or two and two 153 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 2: one or two. But anyway, so we grew up. So 154 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: we grew up between the towns of Salican Park City, 155 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:55,279 Speaker 2: which are two of the bigger towns in Utah, and 156 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 2: the mountains between them and uh Then the ranch from 157 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: there was about an hour a little over an hour away, 158 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 2: and so Monay through Friday was we'd go to school 159 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 2: in the city, do our ball, and then Friday afternoons 160 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 2: we're headed to the ranch. Go some say work. We 161 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 2: like to play out there. You know, fish, rid, horses, 162 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 2: all that stuff. But so it's always just been back 163 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: and forth, back and forth. 164 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: That's awesome though, What a cool way to grow up 165 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: if you were playing and not working on the ranch. 166 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: But you see all of that work. What it takes 167 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 1: to create something like that? For those of us who 168 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: aren't from like beautiful Utah, is this like a Yellowstone situation? 169 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: What are we working with here? 170 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: That big yos thousands thousands. We're a good sized ranch though, 171 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 2: and you know we got thirt beded horses out there, 172 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 2: black angus, cattle, chicken, stuff like that. So it's a 173 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 2: beautiful property. 174 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's amazing. Is that something that you want to 175 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: get back to at some point after your playing days 176 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 1: are done? 177 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 3: Yeah? 178 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 2: I want done playing football. I want to do horses. 179 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: Oh wow, that's awesome. Well you're in a good place. 180 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 1: There's tons of horses around. 181 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 2: I know a lot of good country here too. 182 00:07:57,160 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, a different different style, mountains, more humidity. 183 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. When I first got out here, I had no 184 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 2: sense of direction because there's no mountains like you have, 185 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 2: no you know, land mass to figure out where you're headed. 186 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 1: Wait a minute, Okay, I'm from Missouri, where there's no 187 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: land mass at all. You orient yourself by mountains, This 188 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 1: can't be a real thing. 189 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: I mean if you look like, for example, when you 190 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 2: get in Utah, when you land in the Sulig Valley, Okay, 191 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 2: there's mountains on the east and the west. And if 192 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 2: you just know those mountains, like anytime but day, you 193 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 2: just look, Okay, those mountains are okay, I know that's 194 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 2: east versus out here. I look around. I'm psych I 195 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 2: don't know trying to count. 196 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 1: So you've got to use like stars and random new skyscrapers. 197 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 1: It's fun. You'll figure it out. They're kind of like mountains. Well, 198 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 1: how have you liked Nashville so far? You haven't been 199 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: here for very long. But in the time that you've 200 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 1: spent here, have you gotten to eat some of the food, 201 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:56,560 Speaker 1: listen to some of the music, do the Nashville things. 202 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: We went down to me and my wife last Sunday 203 00:08:58,600 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 2: went down and walked on Broadway. 204 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 3: Hm hmm. 205 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 2: That was pretty chaotic. 206 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:03,680 Speaker 1: It's an adventure. 207 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 2: It's cool though, looking at the bars, you know, they're 208 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 2: all playing cover songs that you know, we like country music. 209 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,719 Speaker 2: So I saw that. That was the only time I've 210 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:13,679 Speaker 2: been in the city. But besides that, you know, we've 211 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 2: hit just little diners or little steakhouses here and there. 212 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: We're read me eaters in our household. Yeah, but Nashville's nice. 213 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 2: You know, it's humid, like I was saying earlier, and 214 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 2: they said it gets a lot worse. Yes, but to me, 215 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 2: it's very humid coming from you toe where it's dry. 216 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 2: But it's beautifly here. A lot of vegetation, really green, 217 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:34,080 Speaker 2: a lot of water. But people drive a little crazy 218 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 2: out here, though. 219 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: They do drive a little crazy. 220 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:36,840 Speaker 3: Yeah. 221 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's gonna take some getting used to, I think. 222 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 1: But Cody, we are so happy to have you here 223 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 1: in Nashville. Thank you for taking the time to talk 224 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: to us here this summer. Seek Geek has your ticket 225 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: to the best live concerts in Nashville at Nissan Stadium. 226 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: See Geek has the best seat your seat for an 227 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: unforgettable summer. From Rock Royalty to rap superstars, R and 228 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: B to country find it all on sea Geek, the 229 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 1: official ticketing partner of Nissan Stadium. Little Caesars is the 230 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 1: official pizza partner of your Tennessee Titans. Download the Little 231 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 1: Caesars app and get your favorites delivered today. Delivery fees 232 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:22,000 Speaker 1: apply now back to the OTP. Another free agent acquisition 233 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 1: who is making his presence known right away is punter 234 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: Johnny Hecker. He's talking about why Nashville was the perfect 235 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:32,480 Speaker 1: fit for his family, his relationship with special teams coordinator 236 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: John Fossil, and what keeps him coming back for more 237 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: football year after year. Guys, I'm so excited to introduce 238 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: to you the new punter for the Tennessee Titans, Johnny Hecker. 239 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 1: I'm so excited that you're here, and I think a 240 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 1: lot of people are excited that you are a Tennessee 241 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 1: Titan now. So I guess the natural first question is 242 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:55,199 Speaker 1: why was this program the right fit for you at 243 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: this point in your career. 244 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, it really is. I really attributed to God 245 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:03,199 Speaker 4: opening a lot of doors that before I don't think 246 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 4: we're really there. And this organization has a history of 247 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 4: great punters, you know, Craig Hentrick, Brett Kern, Ryan Stonehouse. 248 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 4: I get to be a guy that can just come 249 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 4: in and hopefully add to that and just bring my 250 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 4: own skill set and personality to it. But getting to 251 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 4: come here to a town where I get to reunite 252 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,080 Speaker 4: with my old special teams coordinator John Fossil. That was 253 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 4: huge in me coming here and having the opportunity to 254 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,240 Speaker 4: be on this football program. So I'm just blessed to 255 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 4: be here. I think why it's the right move just 256 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 4: because it's where I feel called, you know, I feel 257 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 4: it's a great spot to come and have an impact, 258 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:43,200 Speaker 4: be a veteran presence in locker room, be encouraging to 259 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 4: the young guys that are developing on this roster, and 260 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:47,959 Speaker 4: just just try and do things the right way and 261 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 4: help raise the bar here. 262 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: You and John Fossil, the man they call Bones, have 263 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:57,439 Speaker 1: a great history together. You were on some very successful 264 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:02,720 Speaker 1: special teams units, especially with the Obviously, what was it 265 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 1: about that group that made it it's so successful. You 266 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:08,960 Speaker 1: guys really were breaking a lot of records, doing a 267 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: lot of great things, and obviously it's a full team 268 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: effort in that special teams unit. 269 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it just comes down to leadership. I 270 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 4: think you know another Titans nod, but Jeff Fisher was 271 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:23,560 Speaker 4: the guy that brought Bones and me both to the 272 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 4: team there in Saint Louis, and Coach Fossil is just 273 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 4: a guy that works tirelessly to help the players around him, 274 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 4: be comfortable in the roles that he's going to put 275 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 4: him in. He's never going to ask a player to 276 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 4: do something that they're not comfortable or capable of, and 277 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 4: they know that. You know, he's going to communicate very well. 278 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 4: He's a great educator. When you're in the meeting room 279 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 4: and you're stimulated, you are challenged, you know, you're you're 280 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 4: constantly learning new things. 281 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:49,439 Speaker 3: I've been in the league. 282 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:51,720 Speaker 4: You know, this'll be my fourteenth season, but I'm constantly 283 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:53,840 Speaker 4: learning new things about the people around me, about the 284 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 4: process of game planning and practice development. And so it's 285 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 4: a deal where he holds nothing back. He's and give 286 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 4: everything he can to the people around him, and players 287 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 4: tend to really thrive off of that and take that 288 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 4: same energy and give it back to him. So he's 289 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:09,560 Speaker 4: getting everything we got. 290 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: Speaking of awesome leadership, Is it true that you have 291 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 1: not missed a game in your entire thirteen years that 292 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: you've played in the National Football League? 293 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 4: Yes, that is that is true, and that's I mean, we're. 294 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: Not drinking it here, I mean we are. You feel 295 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:26,559 Speaker 1: good about this, but I mean that's an incredible streak. 296 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: What do you attribute that to? 297 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 4: I mean, the NFL, it's it's it's a very physical league, 298 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 4: and grant grant that I do play one of the 299 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 4: least physical positions in that league. But you know, I've 300 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 4: had I've had great trainers, I've had a wife in 301 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 4: my corner that challenges me to make healthy decisions, you know, 302 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 4: to schedule the chiropractor to come over, to get people 303 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 4: you know, within my circle that are going to help 304 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 4: take care of my body and just do things the 305 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:54,760 Speaker 4: right way. So I don't attribute it to anything I've done, 306 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 4: per se, but just a lot of great strength coaches, 307 00:13:57,320 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 4: great trainers, massage therapists, of a ton of people along 308 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 4: the way that have just contributed to my longevity and 309 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 4: just being available, pushing through things when you can, and 310 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 4: just being available as a huge asset in this league. 311 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 4: So I'm just trying to be that for the Titans. 312 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 1: Here, availability is so important and guys in the locker 313 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:15,839 Speaker 1: room have to see something like that. A guy who's 314 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 1: going the extra mile, who's scheduling the appointments, who's doing 315 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 1: the things you need to do. Is that part of 316 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 1: your leadership style is not only knowing what needs to 317 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: be done, but doing it and demonstrating that for others, Yeah, I. 318 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 4: Think, and just you got to let the opportunities come 319 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 4: do naturally to bring up, you know, maybe a suggested 320 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 4: path for a young guy. But I'm definitely listening for 321 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 4: those little moments and a little kind of Okay. 322 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 3: There's my end. 323 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 4: There's my end to find out about their personal life, 324 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 4: how they're doing with relationships around them, how they're doing, 325 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 4: how their body feels this offseason, what their recovery regiment's like. 326 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 4: But I don't want to be a guy that's going 327 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 4: to be like, hey, here's what I'm doing. You have 328 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 4: to do it this way, because there's a lot of 329 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 4: different ways. Everyone's body is different, their mental makeups are 330 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 4: different too, so a lot of people some people just 331 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 4: want to be a little you know, not ignorant, but 332 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 4: just hey, ignorance is bliss. I'm just going to take 333 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 4: care of my body. As long as i'm feel good, 334 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 4: I'm gon keep doing what I'm doing. But the older 335 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 4: you get, those margins are a lot smaller, so you 336 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 4: have to just be a little more on top of 337 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 4: your game. But i'd say my leadership style, I'm not 338 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 4: going to force myself on anybody. I just want to 339 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 4: be myself be an asset and try and help help 340 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 4: everybody just find those little areas in their game that 341 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 4: they can just tune up or or you know, find 342 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 4: those little tiny margins and improve. 343 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,960 Speaker 1: The thing that I find so interesting about you is 344 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 1: that every single person when it was announced that Johnny 345 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: Hecker was coming to the Tennessee Titans, every single person said, oh, 346 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 1: my gosh, you're gonna love him. He's a great guy. 347 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 1: Very few people talked about what you are able to 348 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: do on the football field, which in my mind is 349 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 1: a huge compliment, because we know you're good at what 350 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: you do on the field. It's the guy off the field. 351 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 1: How important is it to you that you have those 352 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: relationships that kind of reputation precede you before you walk 353 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: into a room. 354 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 4: It's it's not that important to me. Not not that 355 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 4: not that I don't care, but I just think your 356 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 4: reputation is an earned thing. It's not something that I'm 357 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 4: gonna go ahead and try and fight for or try 358 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:19,880 Speaker 4: and uphold or try and prove to people. I think, 359 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 4: you know, I serve, I serve the Lord, and I 360 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 4: feel like I try and just be led. You know. However, 361 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 4: he sees fit and It's something where I'm gonna try 362 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 4: and walk into a situation and be a reflection of 363 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 4: his love for those people, being encouragement to people around me, 364 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:37,480 Speaker 4: be uplifting, be positive, try and just spread the fruit 365 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 4: of the spirit to people around me, and and if 366 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 4: it comes across in a good way, that's that's awesome, 367 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 4: And I hope that I can reflect that back to 368 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 4: the one who gives. 369 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 3: It to me. 370 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 1: You are very involved in serving the community in a 371 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 1: lot of different ways. Why is that something that you're 372 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: so passionate about. 373 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 4: I think my faith plays a big part into it, 374 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 4: and also it's just modeled to me as a child, 375 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 4: my parents were very service forward within the church in 376 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 4: our community. We were always finding ways to you know, 377 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 4: we didn't have much ourselves, so we were on the 378 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 4: receiving end of a lot of charity and donations and 379 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 4: things that were given to our family. And so I 380 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 4: realize how much of an impact that stuff can make. 381 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:16,399 Speaker 4: And so now that I'm in a position to be 382 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:18,160 Speaker 4: the giver, it means a lot. 383 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 3: Really. 384 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,160 Speaker 4: You know, when you go to a community service event, 385 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 4: people see, oh man, these players are giving of their time, 386 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,639 Speaker 4: but really you're really receiving as well, you're receiving a 387 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 4: lot of enrichment, a lot of perspective, and hopefully a 388 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 4: little humility along the way. Just you know, yes, we're 389 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 4: in this position to be an influence other people, but 390 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 4: also when you do things like that, it does kind 391 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 4: of good for your soul. 392 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 1: And being able to reflect that to your family, now 393 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: that has to make it even a little bit sweeter. 394 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 3: Yeah. 395 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:49,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, I have three young children, and so I'm constantly 396 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 4: trying to find ways to include them, you know, showing 397 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 4: pictures of things that we've done in the past before 398 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 4: they were born. Just yeah, let them know that that 399 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 4: being and being a person of impact is really helpful 400 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 4: to those around you, but also keeps you humble and 401 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 4: just keeps you in the right frame of mind for 402 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:09,880 Speaker 4: yourself as well. 403 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:13,639 Speaker 1: You mentioned this is your fourteenth season. What keeps you motivated, 404 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 1: what keeps you coming back to this game over and 405 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: over again? 406 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 4: It's hits those relationships I love. I mean, I'm very competitive, 407 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 4: you know, I want to be the best interviewee you've 408 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 4: had ever. 409 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean the best one today for sure. That's good. 410 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:28,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, I love that. 411 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:32,120 Speaker 4: That is that is huge for me, and so I'm competitive. 412 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 4: I love just the beauty of football is there's so 413 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 4: many different styles and types of people and ways to 414 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,199 Speaker 4: do it, and so there's so much to learn, so 415 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 4: many people to build those relationships with, because every play 416 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 4: it takes eleven of your guys to beat eleven of 417 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 4: their guys, and so the team that's more connected, more 418 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,360 Speaker 4: willing to go to the extra mile for each other, has 419 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 4: more success than the other team on the whole. So 420 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 4: I just I love the game of football. I love 421 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,880 Speaker 4: how you're never gonna have it perfect. There's always something 422 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 4: to learn, something to strive for, something to improve, and 423 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 4: so yeah, that's why I keep coming back. 424 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 1: Johnny Hicker, you are as advertised, You are wonderful. Thank 425 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,240 Speaker 1: you for taking the time to be with us right 426 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 1: here on the OTP. 427 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:15,959 Speaker 3: You got it. 428 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: Tighten up Hey Titans fans. With a Kroger Boost membership, 429 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: you'll score big with double fuel points, free delivery, and 430 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:28,199 Speaker 1: lots more. Go to Kroger dot com slash boost for details. 431 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:32,119 Speaker 1: Kroger the official grocer of the Tennessee Titans. Tighten Up 432 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: Home is the forefront of all we do. It's why 433 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 1: we're so committed to caring for the places and spaces 434 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 1: in which we work and live. Ashley, the official furniture 435 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: provider of the Tennessee Titans. Now back to the OTP. 436 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,119 Speaker 1: All right, we want to share one final conversation with 437 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 1: a new Titan, but this one's a rookie. Semi Oladajo 438 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 1: made an appearance in our studios right here to Sension 439 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:01,120 Speaker 1: Saint Thomas Sports Park, and we to start right off 440 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 1: the top with a very important but very basic question. 441 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 1: What do you want us to call you? Okay, I'm 442 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,719 Speaker 1: going to attempt this and you have to be honest 443 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:13,400 Speaker 1: with me and tell me if it's right or wrong. 444 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:14,399 Speaker 3: Gotcha? Got you? 445 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 1: Oladjo? 446 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 3: Pretty solid? 447 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:20,160 Speaker 1: Okay, like like an eight. 448 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 3: I think I think eight is perfect. 449 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 1: Okay, now you say it. 450 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 3: Olada Joe, Oh, you. 451 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 1: Say it better. You're right? 452 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 3: It is your name, right, You're right. 453 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 1: That is who our guest is, right now. Femi? Do 454 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 1: people call you Semi? Is that what you're going by? 455 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 1: Are you like the full name? 456 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:44,199 Speaker 5: I actually do enjoy the full name, yes, but you know, 457 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 5: to help out society, you know, we say Femi not 458 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:52,880 Speaker 5: funny story because my name is pretty hard to pronounce. 459 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 3: You know, in middle. 460 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:58,199 Speaker 5: School, whenever I had a substitute teacher. You know, you 461 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:01,600 Speaker 5: have the full roster name out, so they'd get to 462 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:05,240 Speaker 5: my name and always butcher it Yeahanic, yeah, and it 463 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:09,160 Speaker 5: you know, and I just say call me Moses because 464 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 5: that's my middle name. 465 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:10,480 Speaker 1: Okay. 466 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 5: And then as I got older, I started to embracing 467 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 5: more and started going by Fami for short, but wanted 468 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 5: the full presentation. 469 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 3: To be old. 470 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 1: Now, there is a beautiful meaning to that name. Correct, 471 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:24,640 Speaker 1: tell us about that. 472 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 3: It means God loves me. That's strong, It is strong. 473 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 5: It's hilarious because you know, the night I got drafted, 474 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,399 Speaker 5: I think the commentator he mentioned that and he was like, 475 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:40,399 Speaker 5: in his name is God loves me? 476 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 3: You know which God loves us all? You know. It 477 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 3: was just hilarious. But yeah, that's what the meaning is. 478 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:52,119 Speaker 1: That's fantastic though. So Nigerian is that correct? Your parents 479 00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: are from Nigeria? 480 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 3: Correct? 481 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: Some of your siblings were born there. How did that 482 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:59,199 Speaker 1: influence the way that you grew up, the way that 483 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: you were raised and maybe how are you seeing that 484 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 1: now as you are an adult? 485 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:06,960 Speaker 3: Yeah? You know, my parents. 486 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 5: Migrated to California in ninety six, nineteen ninety six. Before that, 487 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 5: they had two of my siblings, so my older brother 488 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:18,879 Speaker 5: and my older sister. I'm the youngest of four total, 489 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:23,879 Speaker 5: But I think overall, I think the biggest things I 490 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 5: learned from being a first gen child is just the 491 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 5: principle of hard work and discipline and structure and order 492 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:34,920 Speaker 5: and how important family is. I think my parents did 493 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:39,159 Speaker 5: a great job instealing in us foundations of having relationships 494 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:43,080 Speaker 5: with our siblings, our brothers, sisters, and then just friends 495 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 5: that we met and are still friends with how to 496 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:49,400 Speaker 5: actually build a relationship with. So I'm very grateful for it, 497 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 5: and it's huge in who I am today. 498 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:55,880 Speaker 1: It seems incredibly transferable to football, being in a locker room, 499 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:58,920 Speaker 1: being part of a team, working hard, doing your part 500 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: to help you out, having those foundations just ingrained in 501 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:03,360 Speaker 1: who you are. 502 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 5: Yeah, one hundred percent. I think like the most natural 503 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:10,640 Speaker 5: thing is if I see someone in the locker room, 504 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:12,639 Speaker 5: going to say what's up? Whether I know you or 505 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 5: I don't you know. I think even right now, you know, 506 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 5: in the offseason you have ninety guys, guys getting cut, 507 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 5: guys coming in, but I might see you for the 508 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:24,159 Speaker 5: first time. I'm still gonna introduce myself, say hello, and 509 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:25,119 Speaker 5: try to build a bond. 510 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:26,679 Speaker 1: When did you start playing. 511 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 3: Football when I was ten years old. 512 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,360 Speaker 1: And immediately liked it, or we're kind of unsure. 513 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:33,880 Speaker 3: I loved it. Now. 514 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,080 Speaker 5: The fun thing about it, or funny thing about it 515 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 5: is I actually knew about football already before I played it, 516 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 5: because my older brother played and he played Madden, so 517 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 5: I played, so I was already familiar with the game. 518 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:50,160 Speaker 1: So are you still a Madden player now? 519 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 5: Yeah, not as much as I used to be when 520 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 5: I was thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, But I still feel very 521 00:23:58,600 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 5: confident in my skills. 522 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: I feel like you might come back to it now 523 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:07,399 Speaker 1: that you're in the game. Do you think that, I 524 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,120 Speaker 1: mean you would think. 525 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, I see what you're saying. 526 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 5: I just think, as I evolve in life and I grow, 527 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 5: I try to stay away from the gaming system. Not 528 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 5: that is nothing anything bad with it, you know, but 529 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 5: I'm trying to learn different things about life and just 530 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 5: grow as a man. 531 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: I get that. I understand that. So tell me about 532 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:31,280 Speaker 1: your evolution in your football career a little bit. Your 533 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:35,280 Speaker 1: playing linebacker for a really long time and then all 534 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:38,200 Speaker 1: of a sudden you're making a change to a new position. Yeah, 535 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 1: what was it that was kind of the initiator for 536 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: making that change. 537 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:47,080 Speaker 5: Yeah, well, I take you all the way back, do it. 538 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 5: Manths ago when I was ten years old, my first 539 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 5: position was actually center. Really I played center and I 540 00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:56,359 Speaker 5: played defensive tackle. Okay, I think the following year I 541 00:24:56,359 --> 00:25:02,800 Speaker 5: played fullback in like defensive tackle in outside linebacker, and 542 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:06,560 Speaker 5: then old line and then receiver tied in. So I've 543 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:11,000 Speaker 5: kind of besides quarterback and safety in the corner, those 544 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 5: like the only position I haven't played. Uh, but I 545 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:18,440 Speaker 5: think it all transfers over, you know, to some capacity 546 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 5: now in terms of the move to edge as of 547 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 5: recently in my college career, played mic my first three 548 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:30,160 Speaker 5: years of college. In the first two games this last 549 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:33,760 Speaker 5: season going into my senior year, we had a lot 550 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 5: of depth at the linebacker position and we were rotating 551 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:41,119 Speaker 5: a lot and it wasn't a bad thing, but it 552 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 5: kind of, uh didn't allow us to have our best 553 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:49,119 Speaker 5: eleven on the field essentially, So coach kind of proposed, hey, 554 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:51,359 Speaker 5: what do you think about playing edge really just for 555 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,840 Speaker 5: this week to you know, keep us all out at 556 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:57,000 Speaker 5: the same time. And uh, we had a great difference 557 00:25:57,160 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 5: game and we just kind of kept taking it week 558 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:01,399 Speaker 5: by week and now we're here. 559 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 1: So and now you're here, you are in the National 560 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:07,199 Speaker 1: Football League as an edge rusher. 561 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:07,840 Speaker 3: Correct. 562 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:11,400 Speaker 1: Are you surprised that this is where you have ended up? 563 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,320 Speaker 5: Mmmm, that's a good questionn't. I haven't thought of it 564 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:16,480 Speaker 5: from that perspective. 565 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 1: I mean, a year ago right now, you were still 566 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 1: a mic linebacker. 567 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,360 Speaker 3: Still a Mike linebacker. That's one hundred percent correct. 568 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 5: With that being said, it is kind of surprising, you know, 569 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 5: But over I'm grateful. I'm just grateful for the opportunity 570 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 5: and definitely not the one to take it for granted, 571 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:39,360 Speaker 5: you know, I just want to to me prove everyone 572 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 5: that believed me right, proved the team right, prove the 573 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:47,240 Speaker 5: coaches right, the staff, and ultimately god, so uh, just excited. 574 00:26:47,280 --> 00:26:49,760 Speaker 5: It's been a great time so far with the Vets, 575 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,639 Speaker 5: the rookies. It's been a great mesh. 576 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 1: How fundamentally different are the two positions not tremendously. 577 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,080 Speaker 5: I think obviously has a Mike linebacker, you're going to 578 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:03,840 Speaker 5: coverage a lot more, and you know, you have to 579 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:08,120 Speaker 5: be a lot smarter. But I think making this transition 580 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,199 Speaker 5: from edge or mic to edge was easier than what 581 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:13,880 Speaker 5: it would be from an edge to a MIC. That's 582 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:15,679 Speaker 5: true because as a mic, you already kind of know 583 00:27:16,600 --> 00:27:19,600 Speaker 5: what the edge is doing, you know what the back 584 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,640 Speaker 5: end is doing. But when your edge, you primarily only 585 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:24,639 Speaker 5: know what you're doing, you know. So for me it 586 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:27,359 Speaker 5: was it wasn't as hard as of a transition. 587 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:29,840 Speaker 1: You more just now you get to do the fun 588 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: part rushing the. 589 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 5: Quarterbacks first, the quarterback playing the run. I'm just going downhill, 590 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:37,119 Speaker 5: you know, And I think that's what my body's built for. 591 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 1: Okay, what makes you like contact like that so much? 592 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: Why are you this way? 593 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:46,639 Speaker 3: I don't know. 594 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:49,760 Speaker 5: It's just a game of football, and I feel like 595 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 5: not everybody's like this, but at least for me, you know, 596 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 5: the more and more I loved football, notch you're gonna 597 00:27:57,520 --> 00:27:59,040 Speaker 5: love the contact of it, or at. 598 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:02,200 Speaker 3: Least you should. So it's I mean, it's. 599 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:08,320 Speaker 5: You can be aggressive without having to get a chance 600 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:10,400 Speaker 5: of going to jail, you know what I mean? 601 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 3: So why not go smack somebody? You know? So that's 602 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:15,400 Speaker 3: what I will say. 603 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 1: Some people like contact because they're angry, and that's how 604 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 1: they get all of that out. You seem like a 605 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:23,960 Speaker 1: guy who likes contact because you're having fun. 606 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:25,760 Speaker 5: Exactly, And that's that's the usually what I tell people 607 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:27,959 Speaker 5: because I'm not really the angry type. I don't really 608 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:31,359 Speaker 5: hold grudges. I'll try to move on in life, you 609 00:28:31,359 --> 00:28:34,360 Speaker 5: know what I'm saying. But football, the game of football 610 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 5: is violent, you know. So some people are angry in life, 611 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:42,120 Speaker 5: so that's their escape, you know. But I genuinely believe 612 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 5: I love the game of football, so I'm going to 613 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:46,560 Speaker 5: do what it requires and be violent. 614 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:46,760 Speaker 3: You know. 615 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 1: I mean, if that's what the job requires, you gotta 616 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:49,959 Speaker 1: do it. 617 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:50,600 Speaker 3: You gotta do it. 618 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 1: You gotta do it absolutely. So you said you're very 619 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:55,320 Speaker 1: interested in growing and evolving as a man. What are 620 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,440 Speaker 1: some of the ways that you have changed even throughout 621 00:28:58,520 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 1: college into now the early part of your professional career. 622 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 1: What are some of the ways that you have learned 623 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:05,280 Speaker 1: and changed and involved. 624 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:05,840 Speaker 3: Yeah. 625 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:09,400 Speaker 5: I know, for me, I'm a huge of my faith 626 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:12,880 Speaker 5: as a Christian and just finding ways to grow in 627 00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:16,600 Speaker 5: better habits. You know, growing up in high school used 628 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:18,400 Speaker 5: to you know, be a kid in teenager party, a 629 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:21,160 Speaker 5: lot of things like that. So put that inside when 630 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:23,920 Speaker 5: I got to college, and I'm still living that at 631 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:27,440 Speaker 5: right now. Just trying to find ways to give back 632 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 5: to people in to serve in any type of way, 633 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 5: whether that's to my family or friends or just people 634 00:29:34,040 --> 00:29:36,680 Speaker 5: around me and my teammates, you know. And then for myself, 635 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 5: I would say reading more, reading more books, whether it's 636 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 5: spiritual books or life books, growth books. I'm reading a 637 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:48,240 Speaker 5: few books. Boy Tim Grover right now, he's a really 638 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:51,480 Speaker 5: known author. Used to be a trainer for Michael Jordan, 639 00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 5: Kobe and Dwane Wade, and then learning about real estate 640 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:00,000 Speaker 5: and personal training and just just a lot of different thing. 641 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,160 Speaker 1: Your brain must be rolling all. 642 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 3: The time, I think, so, yeah, yeah. 643 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:08,239 Speaker 1: What are you hoping that you can bring to this 644 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:10,760 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans team? What's different about you? 645 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 3: Yeah? 646 00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 5: You know, I just want to be impact, impact in 647 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 5: the locker room, but most importantly impact on the field 648 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:20,440 Speaker 5: with production. Find a way to get to the quarterback 649 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:23,480 Speaker 5: cause have it, get the ball out and help the 650 00:30:23,520 --> 00:30:23,960 Speaker 5: team win. 651 00:30:24,360 --> 00:30:25,960 Speaker 1: All right, I know you're a busy man, You've got 652 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:30,320 Speaker 1: books to read. And before I let you go, what 653 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:32,240 Speaker 1: should we know about you. 654 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 5: I'm going to come in every day to the building 655 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:39,600 Speaker 5: and give it my all. I'm going to push my teammates, 656 00:30:39,600 --> 00:30:42,440 Speaker 5: I'm going to push myself. I'm going to make sure 657 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:47,320 Speaker 5: I take accountability of my success and my failures. But 658 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:49,040 Speaker 5: I'm always going to try to get better each and 659 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:51,720 Speaker 5: every day, whether that's in football or just in life 660 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:53,160 Speaker 5: through reading. 661 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:59,080 Speaker 1: Reading and everything. I'm violent apparently, Femi Oladasia, thank you 662 00:30:59,160 --> 00:31:02,680 Speaker 1: so much for taking appreciate it well, guys, that's it. 663 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:05,880 Speaker 1: Those are some of our favorite conversations from this offseason. 664 00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 1: We hope you enjoyed them as much as we did. 665 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:12,240 Speaker 1: Don't worry, there's going to be more OTP to come, 666 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:16,520 Speaker 1: so be sure that you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 667 00:31:16,640 --> 00:31:19,040 Speaker 1: I don't care where you subscribe, just do it. We 668 00:31:19,120 --> 00:31:22,840 Speaker 1: don't want you to miss a single episode. For Cody Barton, 669 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:27,480 Speaker 1: Johnny Hecker, Femiolodejo, I'm Amy Wells. Thank you for listening 670 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: to the OTP.