SAM
DARNOLD,
QB, JETS
- 57.7 Completion
Percentage
- 2,865 Passing Yards
- 17 TDs
- 15 INTs
- 77.6 Passer Rating
WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF IN YOUR
ROOKIE YEAR?
“For me I learned how to be a lot more patient, in terms of
the growth I had to go through to get to where I want to be.
There’s so much to get better at as a player, and as student of
the game. Just continuing to grind and watch tape. That’s where
my head’s at and that’s how I’m going to continue to grow.”
THERE WERE SO MANY STARTING ROOKIE QUAR-
TERBACKS THIS SEASON. DID YOU KEEP UP WITH
EACH OTHER’S PROGRESS?
“After we got drafted, I think we just started focusing on
our own thing. For me, I defi nitely tuned in to watch them play
because they are all great players and fun to watch. I know all of
them, so it’s been fun to build relationships with them. It’s going
to last a long time.”
WHAT WAS YOUR WELCOME TO THE NFL MOMENT?
“The fi rst play of my career was an interception for a touch-
down. That was kind of an eye-opener for me. The way our
team responded, and the game I had after that, showed a lot
of our team and the potential we have together. I’m just really
excited about our team and where we’re going.”
WHEN DID THINGS START TO CLICK OR SLOW
DOWN FOR YOU?
“I think after I got hurt. During the fi rst half of the season I felt
like I was in a rush, and not as comfortable as I was later in the
year. After I got hurt, I was able to watch Josh [McCown] for a
little bit, and I grew a lot. I got more comfortable.”
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE SEEING SO MANY OF
YOUR FIRST FOOTBALL CARDS RELEASE INTO THE
MARKET?
“It’s pretty crazy. I think surreal is a good word. Knowing that
my name and face and stats are on the cards is crazy. A lot of
people don’t get to say that. When I was collecting cards as a kid
of baseball players and Upper Deck and Topps, it was awesome
to do that. You get a pack and your favorite players are in there
and you see all their stats, it was cool.”
DID YOU THINK YOU WERE GOING TO SIGN SO
MANY FOOTBALL CARDS?
“Haha, no. I didn’t know I was going to have to sign so many,
but Panini makes it fun.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR 2019 ROOKIES?
“Just enjoy the process, but also just believe in yourself. Be
comfortable being yourself. At the end of the day, that’s the thing that
people will respect is being genuine.”
WHAT VETERANS DID YOU GET TO MEET THAT YOU
LEARNED FROM?
“To be able to meet guys like J.J. Watt, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady—
it’s awesome. I know I’m not where I want to be right now, but to share
the fi eld with those guys and be on that level with them is crazy to
think about. But I know I’m here for a reason. It was cool to shake their
hands after the game and know they have some respect for me.”
WHAT SHOULD JETS FANS BE LOOKING FORWARD TO
NEXT YEAR?
“A lot of excitement. A lot of points. It’s going to be really fun.
There’s going to be a lot of buzz around this team, and I’m really
excited about it.”
WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON ALL THE COLLEGE-LICENSED
CARDS AND COLLECTIBLES?
“I think stu is awesome. Panini has those licenses, and it’s cool to
see the cards with USC on them. As a kid, you really want to see your
favorite player. To have their college on there makes it even more fun
to collect the cards.”
18 BECK E T T.COM
ROOKIE WRAP-UP