Thursday Media Transcript: WR Odell Beckham Jr.

WR Odell Beckham Jr.

October 6, 2016

Q: What is your outlook for this week?

A: New week. New game plan. Another opportunity to come out and get a win. We’re 0-0. Get the opportunity to play at Lambeau Field. It’s been a dream all my life. I think it’s a pretty historical place in my eyes. I’m definitely looking forward to it.

Q: How do you deal with all the attention that’s been focused on you in recent weeks?

A: You don’t. You just keep going. Keep it moving. There’s always going to be bumps in the road. There’s always going to be this and that, adversity. You just overcome it. It’s what I’ve done all my life. Tattoo on my arm says, ‘The ultimate measurement of a man is not where he stands at moments that come at a convenience but where he stands at times of challenging controversy.’ It’s true. It’s not where you stand when it’s all good and everything is going your way. It’s where you stand when your back is against the wall. You just keep pushing and keep fighting.

Q: Do you have to do something differently in terms of the way that you’re acting on the football field?

A: I think I just have to control what I can control. I can control myself. I can’t control anything else but what I do. I definitely know I can do a better job at that. The thing that kills me is that I remember when I was a kid. I remember when I looked up to someone and watched them, emulated them. What I’m doing is not something I would want a 6-year-old boy to be out there and learn from. Honestly, as funny as it sounds, that’s really all I care about. Just being able to have that ability to be a blessing to someone else. To be an inspiration. That’s a lot of power. That’s very powerful to me. It feeds my soul. I would never, again, want to set a bad example for any kids or anything like that. I’m just doing the best to be me.

Q: Yesterday, coach McAdoo said this offense is ready to break out. How do you believe you guys can do that?

A: I agree with him. I don’t think last year we started off hot, so to say. It’s something that comes along. Even last year. Even though we didn’t win as many games, our offense started getting rolling after a little while. It takes time, regardless if the system has been here for three years. Not every person on this team has been here for three years. It’s a new team. It’s got new players. We’re all still getting acquainted. There’s a lot of time left. There’s a lot of time left in the season. I remember I was thinking, my first NFL season it was long. I know how long it’s going to be. Just stay patient.

Q: Do you think teams baiting you is cowardly?

A: I don’t know what you want to call it. I talked to coach. It is what it is. You have to accept it. Accept the situation and know that that’s going to be the case. It’s like blood in the water. The shark smells the blood; he’s going to swim around it. Apparently there is blood in the water. You just keep swimming. Be fearless. I’m always going to go with coach. It’s tough to be in that situation but it is what it is. I would do the same, probably.

Q: Do you blame teams for doing that though?

A: Absolutely not. I would probably do the same. I think it’s gotten to a point where I just want to compete. None of the extra stuff. I just want to compete. That never seems to be the case. You just keep smiling. It’ll be straight. It’ll all work itself out. We’ll start winning some games and help pick up this offense.

Q: How difficult is it to go against the Packers passing defense when they’re rushing defense is so good? They tend to make teams one-dimensional

A: They’re a great team. They’ve been a great team for years. You have Mike Daniels over there, Clay Matthews. These guys, they’re home wreckers. They’re some beasts. We have a tough challenge ahead of us. I think we’re all excited about the opportunity. I’ve personally never had the chance to go to Lambeau Field. Just the experience in itself is going to be great. We have a lot of work cut out. Short week, short memory. 0-0. Get a chance to come out and be 1-0. Keep it moving from there.

Q: You made some comments this week about not having fun. How can you have fun again?

A: I’m always having fun, regardless of what happens. There’s times where things can be like that and there’s times where it’s always going to be what it is. It goes back to what I was saying. I would go out there and I would be playing. I’m in warmups and I would see a little kid. I would run up to him. It’s almost like he wants to shake my hand but there’s this. I remember when I was young and I met Mike Vick. It was such a great feeling for me to meet someone that I looked up to. Just keep that in mind. Just keep in mind that my little brother is watching. What example would I want to set for him. If you can do that and put that into perspective, even at a hard time like that, it’ll be alright.

Q: Are you saying that you need to improve your behavior and temperament?

A: I’m saying that I can control what I can control.

Q: Being a role model, is that something you’ve been thinking about more recently?

A: Since I hit the whip and little kids all across the world are doing the whip. I have adults come up to me and say my son tried to get his hair just like you. I tell them that I apologize for that. I didn’t tell them to do that. I do want to be something that someone can look up to. There’s kids out there that don’t have the opportunity to make it here. If I can give them some kind of hope to do whatever it is and chase their dream, that’s good enough for me. I’ve been gifted with a lot and in return a lot is expected. You just have to know that, and keep that in perspective.

Q: There’s a report that the Giants told you that you would be benched and possibly suspended given another incident. Has the team told you anything like that?

A: No. I didn’t hear anything like that.

Q: How would you handle Monday any differently if you could go back?

A: Just know your situation. Like I said, there seems to be blood in the water and a shark is going to swim around it. Just know that that’s the case. Just go back to being the me, the guy that, I came out here and I love football. There’s so much outside stuff that goes into football. It takes away from what you came here to do sometimes. Sometimes you need to refocus. Sometimes you need things to happen that will bring you back. It’s always the tough times that make the great ones that much better.