1 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: Well, I guess I'm gonna teach you today, Hub center 2 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: of attention. Hello, go a heady, Yes, I'm okay, Rich, 3 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: are you in good? You're live? All right, I'm a live, 4 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: I'm fine and okay. And uh plays Garrett too sitting 5 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: up here? All right? Well great, And I hope this 6 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 1: raspy voice you can bear with it. But I'm sorry 7 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: I couldn't be there today, but I'm in Minnesota where 8 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 1: we're discussing the future of our player labor agreement with 9 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 1: the NFL, and uh, this is a meeting that I 10 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 1: was not able to miss. It doesn't underscore the reason 11 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: that we're having this press conference here today because I 12 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: didn't want to miss this press conference. On the other hand, 13 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: DeMarcus has some serious things that he's dealing with in 14 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: the morning. This was the day for us to do it. 15 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: But I think it's really only fitting that we've come 16 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: to this agreement with de Marcus in the middle of 17 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: our team's draft preparation, because I remember the draft like 18 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: it was yesterday when we selected to Marcus out of 19 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 1: Boise's state, and I got so much criticism for doing it. 20 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 1: In fourteen, we traded a second round and a third 21 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: round choice to move up thirteen spots to take a 22 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 1: player that we thought was the player left on the 23 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: board that had the jews to get to the passer. 24 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: We felt he was a difference making talent, and so 25 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: we trade their second round to move it up. A 26 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: lot of people thought we'd paid too much to get him, 27 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,559 Speaker 1: and here we stand with a guy this is about 28 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: to be the highest paid player in the history of 29 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 1: the Dallas Cowboys. So he's earned it. And I'll tell 30 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: you this, I think the draft date maneuvering was worth it. 31 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:18,519 Speaker 1: I can't express how impressed I am with the work 32 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: that Stephen and your immediate staff did in working through 33 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 1: this with DeMarcus. There was never a doubt that we 34 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: were going to have DeMarcus on this team. Never, but 35 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: certainly in order to get this deal done. It's a 36 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: part of a major plan that we have to have 37 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:53,079 Speaker 1: the talent that we have here and to have that 38 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: talent on the field as we look forward over the 39 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: next year, two years, three years, four years down the road, 40 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 1: and so it had to be fit, it had to 41 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: be massaged. But there was never a doubt that de 42 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: Marcus was going to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys. 43 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: I congratulate you to Marcus. It is, I know, a 44 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: huge thing in your life, but I want you to 45 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: know it's a big thing and the life of the 46 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: Cowboys and everybody that is interested in the success of 47 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,919 Speaker 1: the Cowboys. I think both sides have ofked the way 48 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: from this thing feeling good about it. That's what to 49 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: do when you make agreements going in that you're going 50 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 1: to stay married and you're going to go forward. Nobody 51 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: can put the bridges on anybody on either side. It 52 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 1: doesn't work that way. It's got to work on a 53 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: going forward basis. And I'm just so proud that an 54 00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 1: agreement like this allowed us when an opportunity comes along 55 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 1: to get a Robert Quinn an opportunity. A plan also 56 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: allows you that, in my experience, we were able to 57 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: get to the Im Sanders when he became available back when. 58 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: And so the point is a plan not only takes 59 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:22,599 Speaker 1: care of your basic structure, but it also gives you 60 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: leaves the room to get an opportunity like we did 61 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: last year when we got the cover. So with that, 62 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: I'm going to pass this along to Stephen. But Stephen, 63 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 1: a standing job from your old dad i'll turn it 64 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 1: over to it. Well, thank you, Jerry, and obviously I 65 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 1: appreciate everybody being here, and i'd also i'd like to 66 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: thank Demarcus's agent David. He did a great job for you. 67 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: I can assure you of getting the very best Deally 68 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: could for you. And I appreciate the way we did 69 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 1: our business together there and did a great job for DeMarcus. 70 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: And you know, other than that, as Jerry said, we 71 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: do have a plan and we've got a lot of 72 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: wood to chop going forward. We're thrilled about where we 73 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:12,919 Speaker 1: are with the football team at this stage as we 74 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: head into the draft. It's a great time of year. 75 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 1: Know one that we're going to get better through the 76 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: draft as well. But certainly this is Demarcus's day. He's 77 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 1: got his family here, a great looking young son over there. 78 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 1: Looks like he's gonna be a player one day. But 79 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 1: I appreciate you, DeMarcus. And big day for the Cowboys, 80 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 1: as Jerry said, the highest paid player and the history 81 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 1: of the franchise now and so well deserved all the time, 82 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: energy and effort he's put into his career. But I 83 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:47,160 Speaker 1: think the future is even brighter both for the Cowboys 84 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 1: as well as DeMarcus. I'll turn it over. Oh, I'll 85 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:52,480 Speaker 1: let Jason go first, and then we'll leave de Marcus 86 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 1: for the last. Yeah, best for last. I guess my 87 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 1: only thing that I wanted to add is, you know, 88 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 1: we've talked a lot about what we want our team 89 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: to look like and the kind of team we want 90 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: to be offense, defense, kicking game, special teams, how we 91 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 1: want to play, and then the kind of guys that 92 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 1: are going to help us get there. We've talked a 93 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 1: lot about cornerstone players, building this team through the draft, 94 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: with these guys that are going to be here through 95 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 1: their first contract and their second contract, be here for 96 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 1: ten years and represent everything that we want. And there's 97 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: no doubt in our minds that DeMarcus Lawrence was one 98 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 1: of those guys. And you know, I thought Jerry was great. 99 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: It was vivid in my mind when I walked into 100 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 1: this room, reflecting back on draft Day when you came 101 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: out and us, you know, kind of Adam Lee saying 102 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: we got to go get this guy because he is 103 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 1: We felt like he was an elite rusher, one of 104 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 1: the guys that was going to represent exactly how we 105 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 1: wanted to play and to me, there are so many 106 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: examples of that throughout his career of being the kind 107 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,600 Speaker 1: of guy that we want a leader on our team 108 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: to represent really the values of our team and be 109 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: one of these guys the adversity had early in his 110 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 1: career and how we came back from that number of 111 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: different times, played through some tough, challenging situations to be 112 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 1: one of the elite defensive lineman in the National Football League. 113 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: And again he's the guy who's the leader up front 114 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: on our defense, really one of the great leaders on 115 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: our defense and throughout our team, who does things the 116 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: right way. Certainly a cornerstone player. We want to be 117 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: here for a long long time. All right. First off, 118 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 1: I want to say, you know, thank you to the 119 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: mister Jones' um, you know, thank you to David um 120 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: and basically thank thanking God for just putting me into 121 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: this position in my life today. Can you hear me? 122 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: All right? Yeah, so, um, you know, it's just truly 123 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: a blessing just to be here. Um. You know, thank 124 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: you to my fiance for seeing me through the rough 125 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: times also, um, you know, and thanks to my kids also. 126 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: But I mean, like I'm just amazed at you know 127 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: I'm here today. Um, Like like Jerry said, you know, 128 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 1: looking back five years ago, like, um, you know I 129 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: was fresh coming into the league, Like I ain't know 130 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 1: what to expect name, you know, know how to you 131 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 1: know hounded the business of you know, being a professional 132 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 1: football player. And you know it's like it was yesterday 133 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: and now I'm here today. Um, you know, signing this 134 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 1: huge contract. It's just amazing just to be in to 135 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: this you know spot and um just to be a 136 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: cowboy and you know, to be able to be back 137 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 1: with my boys. Um, I know the hot boys is 138 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: waiting for me. Um, I've been waiting to get back 139 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: with them. Um, just waiting to get back you know, 140 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: on that field. So um, just truly blessed and truly thankful. 141 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: Questions the park is absously that the contract reflects how 142 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 1: you're regarded, not just like this organization but around its 143 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 1: parts later. How important is that respective around the league? 144 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:43,679 Speaker 1: And how important was it for you to be able 145 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:46,199 Speaker 1: to do that here rather than go somewhere else to 146 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:50,479 Speaker 1: get that respect? Right? Yeah, it was very important. Um. 147 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: You know that's that's one thing. Um. Players don't like 148 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:56,319 Speaker 1: to see, you know, people would you know let's talent 149 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: or you know what I'm saying, um, let's play making 150 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: skills getting more than them. So UM, like I said, 151 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: it was truly a blessing to be able to get 152 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 1: this deal done and um to be a cowboy for 153 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: long term. What was the conversation like between when when 154 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: you got involved that everybody kind of says that kind 155 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 1: of changed the tenor of where everything was. What was 156 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: that like for you to hear from Stephen and Stephen 157 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 1: to hear from you, right y'all. I feel like it 158 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:23,079 Speaker 1: was great, you know, just to hear Steven's standpoints and 159 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 1: you know, how he's viewing the contract and also you 160 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: know Dave's and you know, just basically to hear all 161 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 1: of us, you know, come together and be like, okay, 162 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: like we have a meeting ground. This is where you're at, 163 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 1: this where I'm at. You know, let's just meet in 164 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 1: the middle, you know, get it done. And um, you know, 165 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 1: once that conversation took place, we still had our ups 166 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: and downs. You know that's just all about negotiation. But um, 167 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: it was you know, it was actually faster than what 168 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: I thought. You know, I'm like, all right, yeah, we 169 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 1: talked so like you know, the weekends coming up. I 170 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: probably you know, get something about on Monday or something, 171 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: you know, but you know, they just went back and forth. 172 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 1: It was like, man, we're here. You know, that's when 173 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:05,679 Speaker 1: all the butterflies came. Man, did you ever worry about it? Not? 174 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 1: You didn't done, just wanted or our frustrated? Did you 175 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:14,199 Speaker 1: get it? Uh? Well I got a little frustrated on 176 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 1: you know the first deal. It was not what I 177 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 1: wanted it to be. But um, you know, like that's 178 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 1: what you know, David was, you know, coaching me through. Um, 179 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:24,719 Speaker 1: Like I said, like I'm fresh into you know what 180 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 1: I'm saying, coming into a moment like this in my life, 181 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: especially negotiating a contract. Um. So like I mean, like 182 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: like I said, like we had our ups and downs. 183 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: Um you know, I ain't know when the contract was 184 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: gonna get done honestly until you know, we got on 185 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,679 Speaker 1: that phone call together and that's when I think, you know, 186 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 1: that changed the momentum to you to have someone likes 187 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,959 Speaker 1: the gals get on with you this couch of Jesus 188 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 1: meeting sports where you guys couldn't carrow off those sides 189 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: and try to get the stuck because I know that's 190 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:57,560 Speaker 1: something that you wanted to get correct o man a 191 00:10:57,559 --> 00:11:00,680 Speaker 1: lot man, Daddy is you know, dedicated to you know, 192 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:04,199 Speaker 1: getting me back here in the facility and getting me 193 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:06,959 Speaker 1: back to playing football for the Cowboys on you know, 194 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: once you get a second franchise tag you know placed 195 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 1: on you, um like sitting us can go everywhere like 196 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 1: all right, like they really don't want you long term, 197 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,680 Speaker 1: like you know what are they you know trying to 198 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: really do? Like you know, so like I was stuck 199 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: in a rock and hard place like the first franchise 200 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 1: tag already it's hard enough, you know, just to play 201 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: on that so um like, like I said, it was 202 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: truly a blessing, you know, just to be able to 203 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 1: get on that phone call and you know hear everybody's standpoints. 204 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 1: Watch situation last year franchise second time, I worried about 205 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:42,079 Speaker 1: that they weren't gonna be a lady on a situation. 206 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 1: I ain't football, I'm not skipping twenty meals and nobody 207 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: use for your family looking at me born when you're 208 00:11:58,080 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 1: here for Rooky and he can't talk to that journey 209 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: with your family the last five years, Oh man, it's 210 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: it's amazing, you know, like I got drafted you know, 211 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: um two days before he was born, and so like 212 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 1: I was coming out here for rookie miniicapping, um, like 213 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: Sash called me in. It's like like Goon's on the way. 214 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: Like I'm like, oh man, like I gotta get back, 215 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: you know, So I actually missed this birth. Um, you know, 216 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: just to have him in my life and you know, 217 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: just to be around him every day to see him grow. Um, 218 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 1: it's amazing and you know just what this contract is 219 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,319 Speaker 1: going to do for him and his kids, um long term, 220 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 1: you know, after I'm dead and gone. It's just you know, 221 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,439 Speaker 1: a lot to take in and just very humbled by 222 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 1: how much do you think about where you've come from 223 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: South Carolina and growing up being the spot right now 224 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: with this franchise? Say it again, how much we thought 225 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 1: about where you've come from, growing up South Carolina to 226 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:58,840 Speaker 1: go paying board, y'all the stuff, and where you are now? Yeah, 227 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 1: I mean, like, you know, it crosses my mind every 228 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: now and then. But it's like it's so much, like 229 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 1: I have to take in so much going on around me, like, 230 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: and so much that just happened, you know, it's so 231 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 1: much that's still going to happen. I gotta get surgery tomorrow. 232 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: I gotta still playing for a wedding, you know, like 233 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: like it's like so much going on in my life, 234 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: and it's you know, all for the better, you know, 235 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: don't get me wrong, but it's still you know, stressful, 236 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: you know. So I really ain't have, you know, the 237 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:28,959 Speaker 1: time to sit back and reflecting on, you know, everything 238 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 1: that I an't been through here talking about the surgery 239 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: tomorrow and tells and will you be ready for the 240 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,439 Speaker 1: start of the season. I'd definitely be ready for the 241 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,320 Speaker 1: starter of the season. I ain't worrying about that. It's 242 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:41,839 Speaker 1: just getting it up, done, it over with, That's all 243 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: it is. It's Marcus you said earlier reading it back 244 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 1: with the hot boys, they've been drow this higher situation. Well, 245 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 1: to be honest, to be honest, they've been aggravating me, like, bro, 246 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 1: like all right, like what's the deal? Like we heard this? 247 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:03,080 Speaker 1: I'm like you, like no, just calm down, like, ain't 248 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 1: nothing happening yet, so like all right, bro, like like 249 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: come on, bro, we're about to get started. Like all right, bro, 250 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: Like I can't do nothing yet, so just be patient. 251 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,480 Speaker 1: So I'm just glad you know, you know, we don't 252 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 1: went through you know, everything, and now it's over and 253 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 1: then you know I can get back with him, go 254 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: to work. You remember Robert thoughts on how you got 255 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: all right? Oh man. You know, like when I first 256 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 1: came into the league. You know, Robert Quinton was you know, 257 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 1: beasting in it, um over there in LA well he 258 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: was in Saint Louis at the time. But um, like 259 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 1: you know, it's just basically truly a blessing. You know, 260 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 1: I have another you know, and that can threaten the 261 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: quarterback and be able to put that pressure on the quarterback. 262 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, like you can never have you know, 263 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: too many rushers on your team, you know. Um, so 264 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: it's truly a blessing to have Robert Quinn on the 265 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: other side and you know, to be able to you know, 266 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: help me and help the other guys up front, um 267 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: put pressure on the quarterback. We talked about wanting to 268 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 1: get you done, also wanted to have enough money to 269 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 1: sign other guys. Can just talking about you know that 270 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 1: oper us are trying to get on get what you deserve, 271 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 1: but also make sure that you can have enough you know, 272 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: for you guys to put a Super Bowl one on 273 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: the field. Oh absolutely, Um, yeah, that's not my you 274 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: know concerned. That's Steven's job. Like I have a job 275 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: to play football. That's why all the obligation is to 276 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 1: go out every Sunday and make sure I'm ready and 277 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: top nache to make the players necessarily for our team 278 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: to win. That's my only job. You talk earlier about 279 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 1: just how maze you are to be here. Now it's 280 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 1: all of this because it's still registered when like Jerry 281 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: and Stephen are talking about how you're the highest aid 282 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 1: player in Cowboys history stating all the players for what 283 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: you're saying, you hear that. Yeah, I mean, like like 284 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: I said, like I have so many emotions going on 285 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: right now, Like it's it's hard, you know for me 286 00:15:56,160 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: to you know, just take it in. Like I'm just blessed, 287 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: you know, just to be in this position in my life, 288 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: like you know, through all my surgeries, you know, through 289 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: all my hearts and loads of my life, you know, 290 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: and like it's just humbling just to be in this 291 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: position and really just to be able to like thank 292 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: God for everything that Hill put me through. I mean, 293 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 1: like like you know, going through everything through the back 294 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: surgeries and stuff, I thought my career was over, you know, 295 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: before I even you know, made a couple of sacks. 296 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 1: I thought like I never see this day. So like 297 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 1: I'm just blessed just to be here, you know, let 298 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 1: alone just take everything again, It's a lot. Stephen Jerry 299 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 1: talked about the trade you guys made to get him 300 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: moving up. It's it difficult to do a deal with 301 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 1: direct kids arrival, you know, at division rival things like 302 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: I don't know how many you've done with that that 303 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: it usually doesn't happen. And uh, you know, obviously, yeah, 304 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: when you're doing one that they want probably a little 305 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: more if you will. And I don't think the Redskins 306 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 1: were worried about taking advantage of us in any shape, 307 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 1: form or fashion. But no, we really felt like we 308 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:15,120 Speaker 1: needed a pressure player, and you have to pay pay 309 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:19,280 Speaker 1: premiums for pressure players. The league pays the premium terms 310 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 1: of contracts. And certainly when we were moving up, we 311 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: knew we, uh, you know, we're gonna have to give 312 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: a little more than we wanted to, but felt like 313 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, to move up to 314 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 1: get what we felt was the last one on the 315 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: board was a big part of what we needed. To 316 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: be about going forward, DeMarcus would be Yeah, now as 317 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:39,919 Speaker 1: you got de Marcus, John can just talk about what 318 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,920 Speaker 1: this roster different end of the season, what you've done 319 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 1: to you know, take that next Yeah. Well, as Jerry said, 320 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: we've got a plan. This day to day is about 321 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 1: de Marcus and what he's all about. But we'll certainly, 322 00:17:52,600 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 1: as I said, we'll continue to chop wood and work 323 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 1: hard to continue to keep this team together. We've done 324 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: a hats off to the organization. We've done a great 325 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:04,479 Speaker 1: job of drafting good football players and as you know, 326 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:07,679 Speaker 1: we like to pay our own and UH feel like 327 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 1: that's the safest way to build a roster. And then 328 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:12,640 Speaker 1: uh do what we've done in the offseason, which has 329 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: fell in efficiently, uh with free agency, with some trades, 330 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 1: and we feel like we've put ourselves in a great 331 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 1: place to draft well again in terms of filling our 332 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: needs through free agency and being able to uh take 333 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 1: the best player on the board. I feel like that's 334 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:32,159 Speaker 1: why we've had some very productive drafts uh over the 335 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: last eight to ten years. Leadership, the franchise attack year ago. 336 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 1: That more that you guys even worked to see saies Absolutely, 337 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: I think uh you know, DeMarcus has demonstrated what you 338 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:56,399 Speaker 1: want to have UH in a cornerstone player. Certainly the 339 00:18:56,440 --> 00:19:00,719 Speaker 1: way played uh it is unbelievable, and how hard he 340 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:04,239 Speaker 1: plays both run and pass. He's certainly versatile. He's not 341 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: just a pressure player, which a lot of pressure players are. 342 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: They don't work on the run as hard as DeMarcus does. 343 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:12,400 Speaker 1: And I'd say he's also one of the best run 344 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: players in the league as well. And then of course 345 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: a class act on how he handled the franchise. He 346 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: knew he had put he had put one big year 347 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: together and knew he'd probably you know, have a better 348 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,919 Speaker 1: foundation to argue his points if he put a second 349 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 1: year back to back, which he did and did in 350 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: spades and certainly set him up for our negotiation, and 351 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: then we had a great call. I think sometimes in 352 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: these negotiations it gets lost that you're really still on 353 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:43,879 Speaker 1: the same team, and you feel like at times maybe 354 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: it's I'm sure players do I know, if you don't 355 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:50,879 Speaker 1: watch out you can in terms of having it be confrontational. 356 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 1: And I think when we got on the call and 357 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:56,680 Speaker 1: he understood still the amount of respect that we had 358 00:19:56,760 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: for DeMarcus, whether it's the coaches, the players, owners, up 359 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 1: the organization, and I could feel from him. I told 360 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 1: him that how sincere he was and how bad he 361 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: wanted to get this contract done. And at the same 362 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 1: time he was a man and said my issues were 363 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:17,119 Speaker 1: not his, which he's so correct, and I admitted that 364 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 1: was the case. You know, me having to deal with 365 00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:23,360 Speaker 1: how we fit everything under the caps important. But it's 366 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,399 Speaker 1: certainly not Demarcus's issue. It's not Dak's issue. It's not 367 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: a Mari's issue. That's Jerry and I and Todd and 368 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 1: Adam and our organization to figure that out. But anyway, overall, 369 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: you know, DeMarcus has always handled himself well and he's 370 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 1: just done a great job. And that's why he's sitting 371 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 1: here today as the highest paid player in the history 372 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 1: of the Dallas Cowboys. Hans Russers like to get sacks, 373 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 1: but it seems the one little light I want, you 374 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 1: guys have taught me that he's also very unselfish. That 375 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: rarely did you see him out of position, free lancing, 376 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: doing things on his all to try and make his 377 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:04,399 Speaker 1: own plays. Unusual in a contract year, despite how much 378 00:21:04,440 --> 00:21:07,120 Speaker 1: money he was making. Last year was still a contract year. Yeah, 379 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:08,919 Speaker 1: you know. To me, it starts with running pass. I 380 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:11,159 Speaker 1: thought Steven expressed this really well, that he's a really 381 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:14,239 Speaker 1: good run defender, arguably as good a run defender at 382 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: his position as there is in the National Football League, 383 00:21:16,359 --> 00:21:18,920 Speaker 1: someone who takes great pride in that. We take great 384 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:21,200 Speaker 1: pride in that as a defense. And so he never 385 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:24,200 Speaker 1: regarded himself as Hey, I'm the specialist, I'm the past 386 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 1: rush guy, I'm going to get the sack. Do you 387 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: guys do the dirty work? He embraces the dirty work. 388 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: He chases the ball down, he's great at the point 389 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,280 Speaker 1: of attack. And then the opportunity to rush he does 390 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:36,120 Speaker 1: in a discipline fashion. He goes and gets the quarterback, 391 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 1: but within our scheme, and that gives him a great 392 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 1: opportunity to make plays but also allow us to continue 393 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:44,880 Speaker 1: to be a discipline defense. So he does it within 394 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,040 Speaker 1: the structure, within the confines, not afraid of the dirty work, 395 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 1: and makes difference making plays for us. So well, if 396 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: it's where do you takes the most pride in at 397 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: this stage of your career of reaching your point as 398 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 1: far as reaching a point, as far as what you've 399 00:21:57,119 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: done on the field, and what sort of goals or 400 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 1: ahead for you. Oh yes, um, you know, I mean 401 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: the contract is a big accomplishment, but you know, my 402 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:12,400 Speaker 1: goals are still you know, the half gold jacket. So um, 403 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:14,359 Speaker 1: that's why I'm you know, just so honored just to 404 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:18,040 Speaker 1: be a cowboy, um and be able to do it here. Um, 405 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 1: I got a lot of work to you know, keep doing. 406 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: Um Like, so I'm just I'm just I'm in my 407 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:27,840 Speaker 1: moments right now. So y'all gotta excuse me. Like this 408 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:32,439 Speaker 1: is very special to me. But like it's like I 409 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 1: just got to keep building, you know, just keep building 410 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:38,360 Speaker 1: on my resume and you never know, they might give 411 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: me a third contract or something. So like next tracing 412 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:46,400 Speaker 1: what yea, sir? I know you said you hadn't really 413 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,200 Speaker 1: had a chance to take your stock and everything, but 414 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: just your mom and dad in here growing up watching 415 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: them and work and put food on tape. You just 416 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:56,720 Speaker 1: talk about, you know, the money you're making, put that 417 00:22:56,760 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: in contract going up, and what they did to help 418 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: you get here, right yeah, you know, just to see 419 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 1: my parents you know, struggle and you know help me 420 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 1: you know through college, you know what I'm saying, through 421 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 1: high school, through through everything. Um, it's just truly amazing. 422 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:16,119 Speaker 1: And you know it's a testament of, um, how I 423 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: want to you know, be able to be there for 424 00:23:17,960 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 1: my you know kids, um as they grow. Um So, 425 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 1: like I said, you know, I get them the most respecting, 426 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 1: you know, the most things because they really laid this 427 00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 1: foundation for me. So I got you what you're gonna buy. 428 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:43,679 Speaker 1: Ain't a business appreciate it.