It’s certainly not unusual for any local sports media to meet an NFL team’s first-round draft selection(s) soon after the draft. But it is common for that event to take place at the organization’s training facility or even a commonplace venue like a hotel conference room should there be a need for more than the usual space.
That said, the Washington Redskins made history when they introduced their two first-round draft picks in a unique setting this year and it was fitting for new players to the team that belongs to the nation’s capital… the Jefferson Memorial in downtown Washington, D.C.
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (out of Ohio State University) and LB Montez Sweat (Mississippi State University) sat at a table on the iconic steps leading up to the enormous statue and took questions from local beat reporters while visitors to the memorial looked on. The two players gave short opening statements and then took questions from the media.
A well-publicized and common theme with both players has been that of having chips on their shoulders and they addressed it during their time with the media.
This is not something undesirable in the NFL. Any player that is serious about playing at the professional level needs to feel they are the best at what they do and that the teams that passed them over in the draft made a mistake.
Sweat took a pragmatic but spiritual approach to a question about it.
“I’ve always been the type of player that’s played with a chip on my shoulder and that chip’s going to stay on my shoulder,” the 26th overall pick said. “But I’m blessed to be a part of Redskins Nation. I know God doesn’t make mistakes and I am where I’m supposed to be.”
Afterward, the two met one-on-one with the individual outlets. This is the situation in which reporters can get to know players and both young men were open and engaging.
Haskins’ take on the ‘chip-on-the-shoulder’ question was interesting because of where he grew up. Having attended high school in Potomac, Maryland, it was no secret he wanted to come to Washington to play football. But that also begs the question that, unless the Redskins moved up in the draft to get him, which they ultimately did not have to do; is that chip still there since he is happy to be here?
“I never lost the chip on my shoulder,” the 2018 Heisman Trophy finalist said later in our one-on-one interview. “If anything, it’s bigger. So, I’m looking forward to getting to work.
“It is what it is and that’s just how life is,” he went on. “I can’t control what I can’t control and I’m just going to get to work. I’m just looking forward to being part of this organization and this team. I’m home and I couldn’t be more excited.”
The whirlwind situation in which they found themselves was also discussed in the course of the interviews… like the dream-come-true of being chosen in the NFL draft, immediately being flown (or driven) to their new home cities and, for these two; sitting in front of the historical Jefferson Memorial in a town filled with history were mentioned. After meeting with reporters, the two men announced the team’s first fourth-round draft pick, running back Bryce Love (Stanford).
This speaks for itself #Redskins #NFL (Sorry about the audio… it’s windy) pic.twitter.com/0bF6NamqZe
— Diane Chesebrough (@DiChesebrough) April 27, 2019
When it was all said and done, one of the rookies said in passing that he would really like to see the White House.
Fortunately, it was visible from where we were all standing and an on-the-ball reporter turned and pointed it out right then and there.