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Post-Game Transcript: Safety Xavier McKinney

Eric from BBI : Admin : 11/7/2021 6:57 pm
Safety Xavier McKinney

Q: What was this week like for you?

A: It was a long week. Obviously, I didn't get to practice those two days, but I was still in meetings. Just tried to stay locked in. Obviously, earlier in the week, I didn't know really what was going to happen as far as if I was going to be able to play or not. Just tried to stay locked in throughout the week.

Q: Do you use these results to try to get out of practice next week?

A: No, no, because it's too big of a risk. But no, like I said, I just tried to stay locked in and just follow whatever protocols that the NFL has.

Q: What did you see on your pick six?

A: Well, I just read the quarterback. I felt (Raiders Wide Receiver Hunter) Renfrow going out and I was kind of just all eyes on the quarterback the whole time. He was looking it down, so just trust my instincts and I went, and I made the play.

Q: What were you thinking after you catch the ball and see a bunch of green in front of you?

A: Yeah, touchdown. My mentality every time I get the ball is to get yards and try to make a play, make a touchdown for our team. That was my mindset through that play.

Q: What about the other interception?

A: The second one, like I said, I just trust my instincts. I actually told (Cornerback James Bradberry) Brad earlier in the game they did the same thing, I broke on it. They actually threw a back shoulder and I told him after that, I told him, I said, 'If they do that again, I'm going to beat it and I'm going to pick it.' They did the same thing, tried to run the double move, pumped them and then threw it the same way he pumped, and I made a play. That's what happened.

Q: Did you save him? James said you saved him.

A: No, I don't think I saved him, but he was there anyway. Either one of us would have made the play. I told him I had his back, and he knew that. I made sure that I accomplished that, and I did have his back on that play.

Q: Was it harder to focus on this game and get ready to play after what happened with your former college teammate?

A: Yeah, it's an unfortunate event that's going on right now. My prayers are up for him and his family and the person that passed and their family too. I don't really have much comment on it further than that.

Q: Did missing practice this week because of COVID protocol give you second thoughts about not being vaccinated?

A: I think it's everybody's choice. Everybody has reasons. I have my reason. Everybody else has their reasons. That's what I think.

Q: What are your reasons of not getting it?

A: That's for me, not for anybody else.

Q: With three rookies playing as outside linebacker and (Linebacker) Trent Harris from the practice squad. (Linebacker Quincy) Roche made a big play, what did you think of him? Is it more challenging having three rookies at that position?

A: I think they've been playing their ass off. They come to practice each and every day, they're in meetings locked in. I know they're going to go out there and play hard each and every time. I'm not surprised when they make plays. I'm not surprised when anybody on our defense makes plays because like I said and like I've said before, we go out there and execute. We get the job done and we just try to improve with each and every practice and each and every game.

Q: Were you surprised that you were playing this game?

A: Yeah, like I said, I wasn't sure. At first, I thought I wasn't going to be able to play just because I didn't how really the rules work, but I did know that I tested negative. I wasn't quite sure. That's why it was kind of a longer week for me because I was in between – am I going to be up or am I not going to be up? It was hard to balance that, but when I figured out and found out that I could play and I practiced on Friday, I was good to go.
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