Jay Ajayi – September 27, 2017
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Running Back Jay Ajayi
(Why did you decide to a knee on Sunday?) – “I think it was something that was on my heart. I’ve been thinking about it for a little bit and I think it was just … First, what the President said kind of sparked it a little bit and then, I think, I thought it was the right time for me personally. That’s what I want to say.”
(You’re coming from a unique perspective on this. You are not a U.S. citizen, correct?) – “Yes.”
(So as part your decision process, how does that play into it) – “One I’m not into the whole citizen thing. It is what it is.”
(So you’re not into it?) – “No. I’m saying I’m not into the whole ‘You’re not American but you’re kneeling for the flag’ or whatever; but my thing was that … I think it was … I wanted to send a message for my brothers and sisters, to be honest. They live here. They were all three born here and I kind of wanted to be an example to them – being the oldest in my family as well – being an example for my brothers and sisters to show them that even though you have skies and people that are portraying hatred and division, I kind of wanted to be an example for my family, and be a symbol that we’re unified and I’m for unity, and I’m for people being respected. I felt like our respect was taken a little bit and I wanted to be an example to my family that you can be a symbol of unity, and that’s what I wanted to do.”
(Did you have any interest in becoming an U.S. Citizen at some point?) – “That’s something for down the road, maybe; but just on that Sunday, last Sunday – and looking to the future I’m going to decide – but I definitely, for that Sunday, wanted to be an example for my brothers and sisters and be that symbol for them.”
(And do you plan to kneel again Sunday?) – “I’m not sure yet, but I think I will. I’m not sure yet.”
(A couple of football questions. When you looked at the tape of the Jets game, it had to frustrating. What did you see?) – “They were stumping us. Physicality. They brought it and we didn’t.”
(And what can you do this week? What’s the motivation? What’s the mindset heading into this week?) – “The mindset is to scrap what we did last week. That was last game. We’re moving forward now. We’ve got the Saints. We need to come back and be more physical, have a nice tone starting off the game, and we need to execute better. Third downs, we were not good. We didn’t execute. We kept the defense out on the field too long. Across the board offensively, we didn’t do what we needed to and so coming back this week, I think we need to get back on track.”
(As a follow up, does it need to start with you? Do you look at that as ‘If I could establish that physical presence, if I can gain some yards, early it opens things up for everyone else?’) – “I think that for sure, the run game helps everything. I think that when we are on schedule and moving people off the ball and running hard, that we’re able to set a lot of things up in our offense. I think that also, sometimes, it’s not going to go that way. You are going to get stopped on the ground and that’s when we need our other guys to step up, and I think that we just all need to make plays for each other, so that on offense they can’t stop … If they stop one thing, the other thing is clicking and then they have to try and stop that, and then we go back to the run. So I think we all just need to be able to work together better and execute.”
(Two years ago you were an injured rookie and spectator in this London game. How special is it for you to actually be on the field and how unique is this opportunity?) – “It’s exciting. I’m getting to go home. My whole family is flying out. It’s a special thing and I think it will be even more special when I get there and it’s about to kickoff and all of that. I think that will be a great moment for me and for my family as well because I’m bringing everyone. So I think everyone is excited for it.”
(How many tickets have you had to come up with?) – “I’m at like 30 to 40 right now. It’s going to be a good support system at the game.”
(Can you give us a sense for how big your name is out there – especially after last year’s breakout year – maybe compared to before?) – “It’s all about the play on the field. I was able to do good and I was able to do well last year and have some success. Obviously, my name was able to grow more. Being featured and being a good player and being from London, being the only skill player right now as well, has kind of made me the face, almost, a little bit of NFL UK. So that has been a blessing in itself. I’m just trying to further the game over there. I’ve done some things (like) go back, work with the kids and try to use my platform as well to inspire. I’m doing some things there. I’ve got a little event I’m doing on Friday as well, for my own little platform and brand. I’m just trying to continue to build my brand and build my name over there as well as over here.”
(You didn’t go to the Seattle game last year. At some point you had to face those teammates. How tough was that for you? How tough do you think that was for LB Lawrence Timmons to do also?) – “It’s always tough not being with the team. When it’s something that almost is in your control, it’s even worse. But at that time, it’s about moving past it, and that’s what I was able to do. I know that know we’ve got ‘L.T.’ (Lawrence Timmons) back with us and he’s here practicing. When he’s here, he’s here. That’s our teammate. We’ve accepted him back and know he’s going to ball for us on Sundays.”
(Have you heard an explanation either from him or anybody else as to what exactly happened?) – “No. Don’t need one.”
(Can you give more details about what that event is on Friday?) – “I have my lifestyle brand that I’m launching in London. It’s called YURP. It stands for Your Unlocked Raw Power. Basically it’s my platform that I’ve been working on – myself and my YURP team – for over a year and a half now. It’s going to be exciting to launch in London. That’s where the roots are from; that’s where my roots are from. It all made sense (with) this whole weekend, getting to come back and being able to set it up. I’m excited for it to finally come to fruition on Friday.”
(I know it’s a quick business trip, but will you be able to catch a soccer game while you’re over there?) – “I think they had a game for us on Saturday to go watch; but it’s not Arsenal, so I’m not going to go. I’m not going to go. (laughter)”
(Head Coach Adam Gase was very frustrated when he talked to the media on Monday referring to the offense. This year and last year, the word he used was ‘garbage.’ You guys have scored one touchdown in each of the first two games. How frustrating is that? How surprising is that?) – “It’s very frustrating for myself, the running back room and the offense itself. One touchdown (in each game), I don’t think tells the story about what kind of offense we believe we are. I think that that’s a very talented offense that’s got a lot of weapons. For us to not put it in the end zone at this point in time is frustrating, but we know that it’s time. If there’s a time to get it done, it’s now. We got knocked on our asses last week, basically. (We) played (an) okay game the first week, got knocked on our asses (last) week. Now it’s Week 3, what are we going to do? It’s about stepping up and showcasing what we really can do this Sunday, executing all of the details and coming out and playing ball like we know how to.”
(I saw you working on the side. Any concerns?) – “No. I’m just going through the same protocol that me and (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase and the trainers have for the season.”
(You mentioned being the first skill player from London. I know former NFL DE Osi Umenyiora and a few other guys have made it to the NFL. Do you hope to inspire the next generation of getting more players over?) – “Definitely. Just from my perspective of going back this summer, I got to go meet the London Blitz football team and see everything that they’ve got going on over there. (It) was exciting for me. It was almost like gratifying because I remember growing up not too far from the park they were practicing at and thinking, ‘Wow, they’re really out here now and they’re working at their craft.’ They’re chasing their dream and looking at me as a role model almost. It’s inspiring and it’s also exciting to know that they’re taking American football serious and some of them really are striving to work their way up there, maybe fly over to the states and work their way through high school or college and make it to the NFL.”
(What are your thoughts on a potential NFL team in London?) – “I think it’s definitely possible. The infrastructure I think is there for London. I think it’s going to be interesting to see how they set it up with an American team and Americans having to go over there and be on a London team and all of that stuff. I definitely think the city of London, they’re all ready for it, and they’re excited for American football. You can tell. All the games sold out. I think it’ll be interesting to see what happens down the line.”
