1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:05,840 Speaker 1: Listen, there's been a lot of conversations about black lives matters, 2 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: the UM response from players going into this season. Have 3 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: you guys talked about that as a team and what 4 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: is your thought about kneeling for the national anthem and 5 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: such topics. Yeah, I mean, obviously the conversation that's been 6 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 1: going on, UM, what what's going on in this world? 7 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,639 Speaker 1: And we wanted to to try to find a way 8 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: where we could help. And that's kind of we can 9 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: find a way where we developed our team of teams 10 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 1: where we kind of pick uh places in the Tri 11 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: state area where we can go and see how we 12 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 1: can have an impact on our community. UM. He had 13 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 1: a conversation of kneeling UM for for the national anthem. 14 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: It's a conversation that needs to be had and the 15 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: will be had. UM. I believe myself and all the 16 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: other captains are going to have that conversation today with 17 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 1: the team. UM. And you know, we want to have 18 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: the focus that we wanted to be UM team We're 19 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: in whe where we find a way where well which 20 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:04,319 Speaker 1: way we can do it in the right way, UM, 21 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 1: and continue to still have an impact. And UM, that's 22 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: a conversation that I believe it is going to be 23 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: had today. And your thoughts on the Steeler's head coach 24 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: making the comic he made a couple of weeks ago 25 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: about unity and just like trying to come together. I 26 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: didn't I didn't hear that. UM. But yeah, you know, 27 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: Mike Tomlins as a well respected coach, UM and doing 28 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:29,320 Speaker 1: it for a revery long time. And UM, you know 29 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 1: this is not his first first rodeo with with the 30 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: nailing UM. Obviously it started two out of sixty where 31 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: with Kat and every team handled differently. UM. But you know, 32 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:41,399 Speaker 1: we were trying to be respectful to both sides, UM, 33 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 1: and you know, respect respect people's opinion, especially the ones 34 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: on your team, and have that conversation and find a 35 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 1: way where we can do it as a team, UM, 36 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 1: to to still have an impact, and UM, do it 37 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 1: in the right way that we believe and whatever way 38 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 1: that is, it's gonna be a way the way that 39 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: we believe as a team to do it. Kyle Leonard 40 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: H Hey, Si kon, how did you feel about having 41 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: to start practice over to that? Did you think that 42 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: was necessary? I love it? I love it. UM. You 43 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: know that that's that's something that we know that we're 44 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: gonna focus on We're gonna everything we do is gonna 45 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,799 Speaker 1: have purpose behind it. Um. And uh, you know coaching 46 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: like how we started off, so we were we had 47 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: a start over, and as captains and leaders and that 48 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 1: the team, we had to step up to the challenge. 49 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 1: And I think that we responded and um, but the 50 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: thing is that on Monday, there won't be no restart, 51 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 1: So we gotta find a way to have that energy 52 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: and find a way to have that UM, that purpose 53 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,239 Speaker 1: from the beginning. We shouldn't take a restart for it 54 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: to happen. UM. But that was a case, that was 55 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: a challenge that coach present us with and I believe 56 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: we responded the right way. As the same you've mentioned 57 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 1: previously in the past, your your goal of being a 58 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: complete back and how much that drives you. I'm just 59 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 1: curious what is your definition of being a complete back 60 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: and when you were when you were growing up learning 61 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,920 Speaker 1: the position, who who was the complete back that you 62 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 1: wanted to emulate? Um? When I think about it, you 63 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 1: know everyone knows. Uh. Personally, my my favorite running back 64 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: is is Barry Sam's UM. But when I think of 65 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:11,800 Speaker 1: a complete back, the best complete back, UM, the bass 66 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: that come in my mind is the Walter Payton's the 67 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: Marshall Fox. Um. You know the when you think of 68 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: Walter Payton, Uh, if you see clips of the highlights, 69 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:23,799 Speaker 1: it's in between tackles, outside of the tackles, catching, blocking, UM, 70 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 1: just even times he's throwing the ball. I'm not saying 71 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 1: I could throw the ball as ball as Walter Payton 72 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: and I'm not hitting that a trick play coming up. 73 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: But those are things, uh, you know, I don't want 74 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: to just be a special interior running back. I don't 75 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 1: want to just be a special uh outside of box 76 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: running back. UM, catch the ball here and there. I 77 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: truly believe that, you know, with my guy, giving the 78 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: ability and the work that I put in, that I 79 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: could be special all phases, all phases, not just one 80 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: dimensional um and UM. That's something I've been working on. 81 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: I want to be elite in running the ball. I 82 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't be elite and outside at tackles. I want to 83 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: be elite and passed pro be elite and catching the ball. UM, 84 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: those are things that I actually believe I can be, 85 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: and those are things I'm cana continue to work for 86 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: UM and strive to be just just going into your 87 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: third year, Now, what kind of gives you that that 88 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: confidence that this year can be different from a team 89 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: perspective in terms of win losses and you know, being 90 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 1: there late in the season, Um yeah, I mean you 91 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: never could really, uh just go out and be like, oh, 92 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 1: this is how many winds we want? It's how many losses? 93 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 1: Like you can't predict that. But um, the thanks you 94 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: can handle us how you come to work every single day. 95 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 1: And I think the approach that this team has taken 96 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:30,760 Speaker 1: and the you know, the response that we have taken 97 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 1: to two coach je methods has been great. Um. And 98 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 1: obviously we're a young team. Um, and there's gonna be 99 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 1: some adversity we're gonna face throughout the Season's gonna be 100 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: some adversity that we're gonna face on Monday night. Um. 101 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 1: But that's the way that would respond, in the way 102 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: that would continue to come to work and improve every 103 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 1: single day. Considering, uh, what challenges the pandemic has brought 104 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 1: over the past six months or so, what do you 105 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 1: think it's gonna be like for the area to have 106 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 1: football back. I think to be it's gonna be amazing. Um, 107 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: you know, I I see means and stuff all the 108 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: time on social media of players like crying and stuff 109 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,799 Speaker 1: like that and realizing that, oh, it's the last Sunday 110 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: or or Thursday or whatever that we're gonna go for 111 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: every long time without football. Football. Um, it's a special sport, man, 112 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: It's a special sport. Um. It brings people together and 113 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,040 Speaker 1: you get to go out there and see eleven guys, 114 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: um put it on the line. Um every single play, 115 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: or twenty one if you really count both teams, um 116 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: trip in twenty two. Yeah, I know that's the education. 117 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 1: What's you call it? But you see us go out 118 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: there and put on the line, and um, so it's 119 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: gonna be a lot. It's gonna be a lot. Obviously, 120 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: it's been a tough things going around the world with 121 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 1: the pandemic and obviously with the Black Lives Matter movement, 122 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: But for us to be able to go out there 123 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 1: and then put on a show for everyone and all 124 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: the fans absolutely wish that they were there in the 125 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 1: stands with us, but hopefully, um, hopefully soon in the 126 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,320 Speaker 1: near future they are, but still be able to watch 127 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: on TV and we go out there and show them 128 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: all the hard work that we put in. Almost got men. Yeah, 129 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,040 Speaker 1: I had to reach ot. Hey, I'm curious. You talked 130 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 1: about being, you know, one of those complete backs and 131 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 1: being dominant as a receiver and in past protection and 132 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: all those things. What did you do in the off 133 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 1: season to kind of build on your skill sets in 134 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: those areas and you know what gives you the confidence 135 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 1: that you can take your game to another level as 136 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: a receiver this season. My coaches, UM, I would say, uh, 137 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 1: no disrespect to any coaches I had in the pass 138 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: right now, the coaches that were coach Burns and and 139 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,120 Speaker 1: Stephen Um. You know, they just bring two different dimensions 140 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 1: UM and the way the way that they have been 141 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: challenged me UM. I mean, you know, Coach Judge everyone 142 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 1: UM has been probably I would feel like the hardest 143 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 1: off season that we've had, UM determined with putting the 144 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: work in UM and putting the grinding uh. And I 145 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: think that's going to translate to the football field. I'm 146 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 1: a big believer what you do in practice and what 147 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: you do UM in a weight room translate over to 148 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: the football field. And I think we've we've been really 149 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 1: I don't think, I know we put a lot of 150 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 1: hard work. Do you feel like you're about to be 151 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: on leacious receiver because it seems like the last couple 152 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:00,559 Speaker 1: of years there weren't a lot of dis mind routes 153 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:02,479 Speaker 1: for you. Do you feel like this system and these 154 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: coaches and the way they're using you now you can 155 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 1: kind of kind of be featured as a receiver as 156 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 1: much as being a runner. Um. Yeah, I mean I 157 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 1: want to be like I said, I want to be 158 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: elite overall. Um. And and whether that's in the past 159 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: game or a running game. But at the end of 160 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: the day, it's about winning games. And if I can 161 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: do that by helping my team in the past game, 162 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: and that's the case. If that's by helping them in 163 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: the running game, that that's the case. If it's by 164 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 1: stepping up and making that key block. Um, you might 165 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: throw the ball four times a game, and I might 166 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,440 Speaker 1: have to be responsive for key blocks. That's what I 167 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: gotta do. UM. So it's not just uh, focusing on 168 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: just me being elite. Um. You know, it's whatever it 169 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: takes to help the team wins. Thanks, all right, How 170 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: do you how would you know when you're there for 171 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 1: sick one? How how would you know it would be? 172 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: M VP awards will be rushing titles will be you know, 173 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: total yards. Uh, what's what's gonna signal? Signal that to you? UM, 174 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: I would never be there. I'm gonna be completely honest 175 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 1: with you. UM. I keep saying I'm gonna work for 176 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: and work for what. But the way I view myself 177 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: in the conference, I have myself the goal for me 178 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: to be elite is so high that I don't think 179 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: I'll ever honestly reach it. But if I come anywhere 180 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: near close to it, UM, I know that I put 181 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: the work in every single day. I I personally can 182 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: look myself in the mirror UM at the end of 183 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: the day and know whenever I am done with this 184 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 1: and I wrapped it up, knowing that I put everything 185 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: that I have and whatever that is UM, if it's 186 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 1: if it's awards, if it's two balls, if it's not. 187 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,439 Speaker 1: I know what I know for myself internally, the work 188 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: that I put in, UM, and I could be satisfied 189 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: with that one day when my time when you started 190 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: talking about the Giants offense the other day, the first 191 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: two words out of his mouth from sake one Barkley, 192 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: I mean, have you come to expect that? And do 193 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:51,439 Speaker 1: you almost sense that they're gonna focus on you or what. UM. Yeah, 194 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: one that means a lot. Come from a guy and 195 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: a coach like my time when UM just growing up 196 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 1: and being a fan of the game of football always, 197 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,199 Speaker 1: you know, had much respect for my time UM and 198 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 1: his teams and have so much respect for their team 199 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: right now. Tremendous players all around, from from their defense 200 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:10,559 Speaker 1: to to the back line. UM. The destructive, the disruptive. UM. 201 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 1: The guys make plays in the back end of the 202 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 1: linebackers move well, tackle well in space. UM. So to 203 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: be able to have that compliment from a coach like 204 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 1: that definitely does mean a lot. And yes, I feel 205 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:24,439 Speaker 1: like you know, I think it took really the first 206 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 1: game my rookie year to put on display to two 207 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: people understand the type of talent that I have. So 208 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 1: I don't I don't have any any surprises that coaches 209 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: UM or might be key in or dialing on me. 210 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,080 Speaker 1: But I can just gotta use that to my advantage. 211 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,959 Speaker 1: When our plays comes, you gotta take advantage of the plays, UM, 212 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: and hopefully it's able to open up thanks for other people, 213 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 1: and we gotta take advantage of it.