Tyreek Hill – December 8, 2023
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Friday, December 8, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(So many teams in the league have faltered. So many of the top teams are losing to teams, like Dallas lost Arizona. How have you guys stayed focused on the day to day, the play to play, all season?) – “Man, look, as crazy as this may sound, the amount of competition that flows through this building each and every day is wild. It just naturally flows. And then when we go to the practice field, you’ve got some of the top guys at their positions competing at high levels, going at it ones-on-ones each and every day. So that’s kind of how we keep that mindset inside the building and it’s a beautiful thing. I can give you some examples where you’ve got Connor Williams going against Christian (Wilkins). Or whether you’ve got T-Stead (Terron Armstead) going against B-Chubb (Bradley Chubb). Or (Jaylen) Waddle or myself going against Xavien (Howard) or Jalen (Ramsey). The competition flows through the building. We’ve even got guys taking scout team reps. You’ve got ones taking scout team reps for each other. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
(How many games will it take you to overtake Seahawks WR DK Metcalf?) – “What do you mean?”
(Did he run faster than you?) – “I thought football was about making plays though, not about being the fastest. That’s what I thought at least. I mean, at least that’s what I signed up for.”
(But Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has said that you’ve been ducking him for years and now he’s got the fastest time this season. He took you down.) – “Once again, I thought football is about making plays. And also, I’ve got receipts too though. It’s easier to say that somebody’s been ducking you, but he don’t have the receipts to back it up. I wish I could sign language that for him, but I don’t know how to. (laughter)”
(If you can get a sponsor for an offseason race would you try to pull that off?) – “Of course. Cheetah ain’t ducking no smoke from nobody. But the reality of it is, my focus right now is obviously, what we’re doing right here. If I try to get tied up in trying to be the fastest, I feel like I’d be losing what’s ahead. Most of the time when I catch a touchdown, it’s like, I’m already in front of people. You feel me? He’s like, getting almost caught. So there’s a difference.”
(WR Braxton Berrios was on one of the talk shows talking about the MVP race and the stuff that you’ve been able to do on the field. What does it mean to you that your teammates, you’re putting on a show even for them?) – “That’s great for teammates to say something like that. My peers, it’s awesome man. It makes coming to work even more fun, so I love it. I absolutely love it. Thanks for building my ego Braxton.”
(Do you think a receiver winning the MVP honor is realistic, even if you do break records?) – “No, I don’t think so because there have been numerous times before I even started playing football that guys have been making plays, been having great seasons. It’s a quarterback award. We all know that. And if Tua (Tagovailoa) won it, I’d be happy. I’d be happier if Tua won it. I feel like I’ve gotten everything I want. I get a chance to play the game that I love. God has blessed me with that. But obviously, winning the award would be icing on the cake. But God has blessed me with just everything I’ve got, with just being here in Miami. My family is enjoying life. I’m enjoying life. I’m just enjoying what every day has to offer. I couldn’t ask for more.”
(Adrian Peterson got it with 2k.) – “He did. He did get it.”
(So a running back deserves it but a receiver doesn’t?) – “AP also took that ball a lot too though. He also had a lot of carries too though. The way the league is now, I just don’t see it.”
(Is there anything that’s surprised you from this Titans defense? Obviously records sometimes don’t reflect what they can do. Have you seen anything on tape that maybe you went, oh?) – “Those guys have got a real good secondary. Those guys fly to the ball real well, they punch the ball out. So our main focus is protecting the ball and like we’ve been doing all season, make sure we’re at the right spots for Tua (Tagovailoa) and just put up points, just execute each and every opportunity that we get a chance to step on the field.”
(What made you want to give a scooter to all of your teammates?) – “Well, growing up, I’m from the South. I grew up riding ATVs, riding dirt bikes and stuff like that. I just thought it would be cool to give back to the guys because most of the time, being in the positions that we’re in, most guys don’t receive gifts. A lot of people expect us to give them gifts and it’s like, okay, how can I find a way to give something cool to the guys? I wasn’t thinking about anybody being getting hurt at the time. I was like, you know what, let me just get them some scooters that go 43 miles per hour. (laughter)”
(You’re on pace to pass the 2,000 yard mark. What would it mean to get it?) – “It would mean a lot, man, it would be great. It would be great. I really haven’t thought about it. My wife and my mom, they remind me every day. They’re like, you’ve got to live in the moment, you’re doing it. And it’s like, bro, I can’t stop right now. I’m trying to visualize this next game. You know how they are. They don’t be understanding that. They’re like, you’ve got to live in the moment. Let’s go out. Let’s celebrate. And it’s like, nah, bruh. I’ve got to watch this film gang. I told myself, if I’m able to do it, I’m going to buy my dream car.”
(What’s that dream car?) – “It’s an Aston Martin V12. Very expensive car.”
(I think you’ve got it.) – “I’ve been managing my money pretty well.”
(Does it matter, 16 or 17 games? I know some people will bring up that Calvin Johnson did it in 16. Does that matter to you at all?) – “It really doesn’t matter. I feel like people should understand, like what we go through as professional athletes, it’s a lot. I wouldn’t care if I broke it in 18, if there were 18 games. I’d just be like, you know what? I feel like I did something special.”
(You were playing Washington this past week. They played a surprising amount of man, single coverage on you. Are you surprised when teams still play single coverage man on you?) – “No, I’m not. I feel like each and every week is like a different opportunity for you to prove that you can beat man coverage. Not every team plays man coverage the same way. Some teams may play outside leverage. Some teams may play inside leverage. Some teams may play at seven yards and sit. So it’s different. It’s my job and the rest of the receivers’ job to go out and prove that we can beat man coverage. It’s quite shocking, but at some point, it’s like, I mean, I’m grateful for it. I’m like, okay, I enjoy this. I’m having fun with it.”
