Friday Media Transcript: WR Odell Beckham Jr.

WR Odell Beckham Jr.

July 28, 2017

Q: What motivated you to say you want to be the highest paid player in the NFL the day before the first practice?

A: Well, it was three days when we filmed it. We were in L.A. training and it’s just kind of goals and aspirations that I have. UNINTERRUPTED is a company that I am a partner with that allows you to speak your mind. And it’s called UNINTERRUPTED because there’s two minutes and thirty seconds in that video where it’s going straight and there’s a lot more information than the one piece that you took out. That’s why I really use the company UNINTERRUPTED and why I’m happy to be a partner with it. So, really, any questions you have on that, you can go watch on UNINTERRUPTED, on Twitter, or wherever you want to find it. Make sure you find it. Other than that, it’s really just something on my mind. There’s a lot of other things and goals that you have that you want to accomplish, but that’s just one of them.

Q: Do you think being the highest paid player in the NFL is a realistic goal?

A: It’s not really up to me.

Q: How did it feel to be back on the field today?

A: It felt great. It was a little humid, but it wasn’t too hot. It was a nice day, nice easy day to get back in the swing of things. I’m looking forward to this season.

Q: When you talk about receiving a large contract, are you talking about just for yourself, or for every player in the league?

A: Everybody. That’s what you want to do, is you want to change the game. This isn’t for me, this isn’t for Odell Beckham. This is for everybody in the league, people who deserve it. You sit there and you watch the people in the NBA and it’s crazy. Being realistic, it’s crazy what [NBA players] are getting. There’s people in the NFL who deserve that. And I just want to be, if I can be, one of the forefront for it and help push the league, the game that way because I feel like the players deserve it. I feel like we go through a lot, we put ourselves through a lot – mentally, physically, emotionally. And they just deserve it. The players in the league deserve it, they work hard for it. So, it’s not for me. This is not for me.

Q: Do you think the NFL should be similar to the NBA, where there is a certain max deal a player can receive, regardless of the position they play?

A: I don’t really know much about that.

Q: When you say you are fighting for the players, what specifically are you fighting for, with regard to pay?

A: I talked to [Seattle Seahawks Cornerback Richard] Sherman about it. And like I said, the players in the NFL who are doing the things that they’re doing should be paid more. It’s just that simple. Other than that, I really don’t have too many comments on contracts I can’t control. Again, it was just a statement that was made on UNINTERRUPTED. So, if you want to check it, go to UNINTERRUPTED, you can find it over there.

Q: When you did the interview on UNINTERRUPTED, did you think that the start of training camp that may not be the best time for it?

A: Doesn’t bother me, at all.

Q: Did it go through your mind that your interview on UNINTERRUPTED may be a distraction?

A: I mean, everything’s a distraction that I do. So, speaking, it doesn’t really matter. Anything that goes on, it’s going to be a distraction. So, me speaking my mind about a question that was asked through a company that I work with, it’s a different story. And again, other than that, this is my fourth year in the league, I don’t really know about contracts. I don’t know how they’re done, I don’t know anything about that. That’s up to Mr. Reese, Mr. Mara, the Giants, my agent. So, they all figure that out. I just come out here, stretch, run routes, play football, try to be the best teammate I can be every day. And that’s really all I have to say about it.

Q: Is today the first time you talked to Giants Owner John Mara since minicamp?

A: It was the first time I’ve seen him since mandatory minicamp, yeah. And it was just good to see him. He’s got a serious face on, but every time I run up to him and he smiles, he’s asking, ‘How are you doing?’ It’s just a good vibe I get from him, so it was good to see him today, it’s been awhile.

Q: Have you ever heard the poem ‘If’ that Head Coach Ben McAdoo shared with the team yesterday before and what were your takeaways from it?

A: I don’t think I caught the poem. I’ll be sure to go back and read it. For next time, I’ve got you on that question.

Q: Can a non-quarterback become one of the 15 highest paid players in the league?

A: I still don’t know. Like I said, it’s not really up to me. All I can do is do what I do on the field, control the things I can control and that’s not one of them.

Q: How much do you talk about that with your agent? That that’s what you would like to get done?

A: I really just came here to play football and, like I said, be the very best I can be this year. So, if I have to go out another year and prove myself, that’s just what I have to do. That’s the position I’m in, that’s all I can do, is go out and play. Can’t sit there and worry about, getting a contract or not getting a contract. Honestly, I really don’t think God’s plans have ever failed for me. So, whatever is in Him, is in Him, and when that time comes, it’ll be there. And I know it’ll be there. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or 10 years from now, I don’t know.

Q: Why do you think you’re better this season?

A: I just put in a lot of hard work, a lot of time. It was just kind of one of those summers, you know, back when you were in high school and you were going into college, or you just got with college and it was that same grind. You want to make it to the next level and right now, I’m feeling like I’m trying to make it to the next level. So, it was a lot of toe-hurting workouts, your feet were sore after, you needed an ice bath. It was one of those summers where we put in a lot of work. And I’m just ready for this season and to get here with this team, to bond with these guys. We have an incredible group, so it should be a lot of fun.

Q: In regards to your contract, will you just work hard, be the player you can be and be patient until the time comes for a new contract?

A: That’s all I can do, is to be the very best player I can be, like you said. Just know that in due time, in God’s time, it’ll be there. I can’t really worry about it. I’m going to come out, work and get better every single day. Prove myself day to day on why I believe what I believe and I think what I think. And that’s it. Everybody has an opinion in the world. Not just this, whatever it is. Everybody has an opinion on something. That’s not for me to really get caught up on.

Q: Can you talk about your ability to be patient throughout the season for a new contract?

A: I mean, it definitely makes me uncomfortable. But the patient thing, you’ve just got to be patient. It is what it is. But shout out to Nike, I appreciate everything, getting a deal done. It definitely was helpful at the right time. I’ve got a family to take care of. Little brothers, sisters, moms. So, that’s what I’m here for, that was my position that God put me in for my family, so I’m just trying to take care of them.

Q: Are you okay with playing out this season and waiting for a new contract after the season?

A: What would you suggest? Like, what do you do? You come out, you go to work and you play.

Q: What about holding out?

A: I don’t have time, I’m 24 years old, I’m trying to play football until I can’t play football anymore. I can’t get caught up. Taking days off, or not playing. [Pittsburgh Steelers running back] Le’Veon [Bell’s] in a different situation. He’s been doing this, he’s a running back. Their career expectancy is a little shorter, due to stats or whatever, and Le’Veon’s a guy who’s proved himself time and time again. Now, I don’t play for the Steelers, I’m not an owner, GM, any of that for the Steelers, so I don’t control Le’Veon’s contract as well. Do I wish and hope that he gets it? Absolutely. I hope Le’Veon gets the highest contract a running back’s ever had in the entire history of the NFL. That’s just what I wish for him, that’s just like a brother of mine, like a guy I respect and I look up to. And it’ll just start to transcend the game, start with Le’Veon. So, I’m not here to hold out, I’m here to practice, I’m here to get better each and every day. I feel like I have stuff I can improve on, stuff I need to work on and, really, stuff I’m willing to work on.

Q: Do you have any regrets about what you said, regarding a new contract?

A: I don’t regret anything, ever, ever in life. One quote I always read is, ‘never regret anything because at one point in time, it’s exactly what you wanted’. So, there is never any regrets with me.

Q: What part do you need to play in making sure your contract is not a distraction on the field with your teammates?

A: I mean, I think everybody in the locker room knows what’s going on. I don’t think there’s any missing information between me and the team. We all know what’s going on and if I talk it’s a distraction, if I don’t talk it’s a distraction. So, what am I supposed to do? I’m going to speak my mind, I’m going to say how I feel, I’m going to answer pretty much whatever you have to ask and that’s just it. But everybody in that locker room knows what’s going on, they know why I’m here, they know it’s nothing but love. I have nothing but love for them, I’ve got their back no matter what, and it’s the same way around. So, there’s nothing that can really get between me and my team.