Christian Wilkins – April 26, 2019
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Friday, April 26, 2019
DT Christian Wilkins
(What has your day been like today as far as travel and meeting with Dolphins executives and things along those lines?) – “My night really hasn’t even ended just because after the draft immediately, after I was selected, you had a bunch of media obligations and things like that you had to do, and then I just couldn’t sleep all night. (I was) just so excited, the adrenaline and everything, just being around my family. Everybody is excited. I’m excited to be here, so I really couldn’t sleep. This morning, seven o’clock, a car was waiting for me outside and took me to the airport. I got a couple hours of sleep on the plane, which was good, so I’m able to be here in front of you guys looking nice and sharp, nice and shiny. That was cool. Then I came right here (and I’m) meeting with you guys.”
(Did you have a private jet?) – “Unfortunately, no. I didn’t get to do the private jet. Something about budget cuts or something like that. (laughter)”
(You ensured that Commissioner Roger Goodell will never forget your name.) – “Yeah. I think I did that last night. I just got too excited. That’s on (Head) Coach (Brian Flores) and everybody involved who made the decision to get me. That’s on them. I just got too excited because this is just what I’ve been dreaming about my whole life and what I’ve been working towards, and I just feel like I’m ready for it. I’m so excited and honored and blessed to be in this position.”
(Commissioner Roger Goodell is not a little guy. You weren’t afraid that you’d knocked him down?) – “I know, but he’s pretty solid. He was way more solid than I thought. He has some oomph. It kind of hurt me a little bit. He’s a pretty solid guy. I’m glad he was able to do the 14th selection. He was able to come back out for that. He almost didn’t make it there, but I’m glad he did. (laughter)”
(What did you think when you saw the picture of the two of you colliding like that?) – “The first thing I thought was, ‘Look at that vert (vertical jump).’ I had to show off my athleticism a little bit. I hope Dolphins fans and everybody saw a little bit of my athleticism. But that was cool. He was kind of just like cowering, seeing me, like late reaction. It was pretty funny and something I’ll remember forever, and I’m sure he won’t forget it either.”
(What, more than anything, do you want this team and this fan base to know about you?) – “First of all, speaking about the fan base, they’ve been great so far to me just on social media and everything. I love what the fans have been sending me all through Twitter, Instagram and everything. I just definitely feel like I’m already part of the family and everything the way they’ve accepted me already, just not even 24 hours being a part of this team. But really, I just want everybody to know that the biggest thing about me is I just feel like I’m essentially – I don’t mean it in an arrogant way – the total package. I’m someone who gives their all on the field, wants to be the best at what I do; but also the type of guy off the field who is going to try to do everything right, be the example. I lead in the best way I know how, serve my teammates, and do everything I can for those guys around me because I just feel like my purpose and my responsibility here on this Earth and in life is to make everyone around me better and serve others.”
(I’m sure you’re still enjoying the moment. Are you the type of guy who as soon as you got drafted said you just want to be on the football field now?) – “Yeah. I’m just ready to work, like I want to get started as fast as I can. It’s good I know where I’m going to be. I have my home just because of that peace and now I can start to get into a routine and things, and not travel and do all of those things. It’s good just to know this is my home now and I can just get started and train and do the things I need to do to get me as ready as possible for Day 1 when I have to show up.”
(When you are lining up, what is going through your head when you see opposing offensive linemen and the quarterback?) – “Really, the first thing you have to think about is … You kind of always want to think situationally. A lot of things are situational, you get the call and things like that – down and distance and all of that stuff. Each play, just be the best you can on this play and give it all. Every play means a lot. There are so many times you see games and stuff come down to one play, so you can’t afford to take any plays off or anything like that. And really, just be great on that play and just respect the game every play just by the energy you bring and the effort you bring, as well.”
(What do you think it would be like to sack Patriots QB Tom Brady?) – “Well, you all bear with me because I grew up a Patriots fan. I’m from Massachusetts so you all have got to cut me some slack. Something like that would be cool. I’m going to have to put the work in before I even get the opportunity to sack Tom Brady. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”
(What made you get into substitute teaching and how much did you enjoy that?) – “That was great. That was a great experience. I got into substitute teaching because, last year when I decided to come back to Clemson, I already had my degree, which was great. I had a lot of free time in the spring that wasn’t in the classroom setting, per se. I still like to challenge myself intellectually and do things to enhance my education and my knowledge about things. So I was like, ‘What’s something that I can do where I can have a nice little job, get some cash and a little pocket change?’ Anything helps a college student. ‘What’s something I would be good at too?’ My brothers are teachers as well, so I was like, ‘Let me look into substitute teaching.’ I looked into that. That was an amazing experience. I learned so much from those kids. I was going there thinking I was going to teach them but they taught me a lot in return. It was really fulfilling. I’m here to serve, to be a positive male influence, a role model and be so relatable and touchable. As someone who’s looked at in the Clemson community as a superstar essentially, that was just a cool experience for me.”
(What were the ages of the kids and what did you teach specifically?) – “I mostly taught high school and elementary school, kindergarten and stuff. I wasn’t messing with middle school. Those middle schoolers are different. (laughter) Mostly kindergarten, special ed and stuff like that. It was cool. I felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop. They were falling all over me. They were running to me like, ‘Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Wilkins.’ It was funny they were calling me ‘Mr. Wilkins.’ I was like, ‘Dude, my name is Christian.’ It was funny to have that power, and be in that teacher role.”
(Were any of them intimidated by your size?) – “I feel like that little kids, the innocence of little kids, they just love people. So they kind of loved the things about my size. One kid even said, the first day I walked in, ‘Whoa, that’s one big mister.’ That was funny. They warm up to you pretty quick and you warm up to them and it’s awesome.”
(Is there a great player or players that you try to model yourself after?) – “There’s not anyone specifically that I try to model my game after, but there’s a lot of players I like and have a lot of respect for. (There are) a lot of guys in the league now too. I just try to take a little bit from everybody’s game. If I see a move or if I see something that works, or I see guys that are well respected in this league, I definitely try to take a little something. I look into them (and say), ‘Why is that guy successful?’ So I can learn from them and take it into account for the type of player I want to be.”
(What do you think of being reunited with CB Cordrea Tankersley?) – “Tank. ‘Toody.’ That’s my man. That’s awesome. ‘Toody’ was a great teammate of mine at Clemson. I was around him for two years. (He’s an) awesome dude. I’m xcited to see him and be around him but also Dwayne (Allen) too, another Clemson guy who’s been like a big brother to me. Every time he comes around Clemson, he shows me a lot of love. (He’s) just a great guy (and) someone I’ve been able to get close to over the years.”
(What went into returning for your fourth year at Clemson? Were you tempted to jump?) – “I definitely was. A lot went into my decision as far as coming back and whatnot. There are a lot of reasons and everything but ultimately, just the short of it, I just wanted to finish my college experience out the right way and finish strong, and improve in those areas of my game where I thought were lacking before I made that jump going to the NFL, especially because I realized this is a man’s game and a man’s league and I wanted to be as polished as possible and be able to come in Day 1 ready to help a team. I feel like just this last year, I got so much better from just a technical standpoint, just a knowledge standpoint, just the game of football and everything. So I just feel like it was so beneficial. And everything I wanted going into the year, I got. I mean, I got close with my teammates, got better on the field, won a national championship. Just things like that, that you can’t really put a price on that were just so special to me and memories I will have forever.”
(You will be in the same division with Jets DL Quinnen Williams and Bills DL Ed Oliver. Where do you compare to those guys and how do you see yourself handling criticism against those guys?) – “Those guys are definitely two great talents. You’ve seen them do it all this past year and in previous years. Those guys are definitely really talented and I’ve got a lot of respect for them. I was able to get close with them just throughout the whole college experience and everything. Those guys are really talented. I’m looking forward to see what they do. I’m sure it’ll be … Because we’re cool, we’re all close, but we also compete with each other as well, so I’m sure there will be some little competitions here. I’m just looking forward to seeing what we all can do.”
(Regarding your grandfather, where were you when you found out he had passed? Was there anger?) – “I wasn’t at his house that night because I was living with him. I actually stayed somewhere else that night. So the next morning I got a call and everything and the news was broken to me. It wasn’t really much anger. It was kind of just like, ‘Man, that’s my dude. I lost my man.’ You know what I mean? But then, quickly, I realized that there’s no reason to pout. That’s not going to bring him back. So I just made a decision, shortly after that, that I’m going to be his legacy and he’s going to live on through me. That’s something that I try to bring each and every day, just bring his energy, his spirit. So when you see me, you see my grandfather. None of you all know him, but if you see me, you see my grandfather.”
(You lived with your grandfather a lot, right?) – “Yes, sir.”
(Where did you live after that?) – “I was up in Framingham, Massachusetts, and I moved back to Springfield, Massachusetts, which is about an hour away.”
(Was that with your mom?) – “With my mom, yeah.”
(Why were you able with bond with kids so much? I think I read there was a special needs kid that you really bonded with? Why?) – “I bond with kids so much too because I feel like it takes a kid to know a kid. I feel like I’m a big kid but also I’m very serious when I need to be and know there’s a time and a place. But I have a childish spirit to a degree, but not in a way to where it’s too much, to where you can’t get anything done or whatever. But yeah, I just see the potential in little kids. It’s cliché, but they are our future. Just the innocence and just knowing I can impact someone’s life, because that’s something that, when I was younger, I always wanted role models and to see role models and people that I could look up to and say, ‘Okay, that’s who I would like to be like.’ So I just try to be as relatable as possible to kids and do everything I can for them.”
(What kind of kid were you?) – “I was just a young, little chubby, little no-neck, all head-and-shoulders little kid. (laughter) But I still always have been just the same person like I am now, just older and more mature. I’m still playful, still joking. A lot of that is just because I’ve been in a household of eight brothers and sisters, so I was always kind of the youngest. I needed some maturity because I always wanted to do what the older kids wanted to do. But then I was always the youngest, so I could get away with like joking and doing little things here and there. That’s really why I am who you see in front of you.”
(You said this is living out a dream for you. When was that dream born?) – “Really, I would say, I remember in second and third grade, when I first was signed up for football and wanted to play football because I remember just watching Reggie White highlights, Emmitt Smith highlights and stuff like that. I know, Emmitt Smith. I wanted to be a running back and do all that too. (laughter) All the great safeties that I grew up watching play. Those were the guys … I just saw NFL football. I just loved every bit of it when I was just a little kid. So when I was like about 7- or 8-years old, that’s when the dream began for me. I was like, that’s what I want to do. I want to play at the highest level someday. I was 7 or 8 when that happened; I’m 23 (now). I just went to work and now I’m just so blessed to be in this position.”
(It’s been a great 24 hours for Clemson between yourself, DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Dexter Lawrence and now Head Coach Dabo Swinney got a huge deal. What did you think?) – ”That’s awesome for Coach (Swinney), and it’s well deserved for Coach. I’m definitely going to have to hit him up. We’re going to have to go break his back at a steakhouse or something like that. All of the guys are going to have to get together, but he’s well deserved. I know him. All of the things he’s been able to accomplish in his time at Clemson, it’s clear, it’s evident what he’s been able to do and how he’s been able to change that program around and get a couple of national championships like that. It’s really special being around a guy like that. He’s more than deserving of that. I’m just excited for my brothers. They’ll be my brothers for life. We’re on different teams now, but those are still my guys forever. We’ll continue to push each other even though we’re not with each other on the day-in and day-out grind and on a day-in and day-out basis. I’m excited for all of my other guys from Clemson who’ll get drafted because there’s something to a Clemson man. We’re just a little different. We see the big picture. We like accountability. We like discipline and we understand the importance of team and hard work.”
(You mentioned last night that you were hoping to fill that void that Dwyane Wade had in the city. What would you have to do to foresee that…) – “I was just kind of joking about that, but why not? It’s something … I’m just worried about working as hard as I can now and just being myself because something we talked about a lot at Clemson and that I realize to be true is that you do the little things, the common things, in an uncommon way and you command the attention of the world. So if I just do the little things right on a day-in and day-out basis, and be who I am and just be happy about who I am and be myself, I’ll just command the attention of the world and people will take note. It’ll be infectious. People will gravitate towards me. But right now, I’m just focusing on being the best I can each and every day, day in and day out.”
(Did Dwyane Wade DM you after he saw those comments?) – “I haven’t really looked. My phone has been blowing up. It’s been frozen and things like that, so I haven’t seen anything.”
