NFL training camps are in full swing, as evidenced by the mundane tweets flying from reporters’ phones and into your timeline. But training camp is much more than breathless updates about 7-on-7 drills and who is getting the most reps at right tackle. Training camp is about the intimacy between the media and players — a place where fans can learn more about their heroes than when the season is in full swing.
Don’t believe me? Read this amazing interview Houston Texans running back turned in this afternoon. You won’t believe how much insight he shares.
Q: How do you feel? Were you 100 percent out there today?
Foster: I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be and I’m gonna work hard at doing that.
Q: Physically, you’re good to go?
Foster: I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be, man.
Q: Arian, can you tell us exactly what kept you out, what was going on?
Foster: Yeah, man. I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be, you know. I’m gonna work hard at doing that.
Q: What was physically wrong with you?
Foster: Yeah, I’m just out here, working hard every single day, trying to be the best teammate I can be.
Q: What did it mean to be able to get back out here and start working, Arian? And get back with your teammates?
Foster: You know, being with your teammates and being the best teammate you can be is what you strive to do. So that’s what I’m out here for.
Q: Your teammates talk about how they want to see you out here. They know what you mean to this ballclub. What does all that stuff mean to you, Arian?
Foster: Yeah, man. I’m just (trying) to be the best teammate you can be, man. Just work hard at doing that every single day. That’s what we’re out here trying to do.
Q: Is your body starting to break down?
Foster: Yeah, man. I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be. And I’m gonna work hard at doing that.
Q: How’s that coming, Arian, your progress with being a better teammate?
Foster: Yeah, you know, I’m just, every single day, just trying to be a better teammate, man.
Q: What do you think about these fans going crazy for you guys?
Foster: Yeah, man. I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be. And I’m going to continue doing that.
Q: Is there any difference in the way you felt physically, feel stronger?
Foster: Yeah, man. I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be. And I’m just going to continue to do that.
Q: What was the offseason like, working at your brother’s facility, different than other previous seasons?
Foster: Yeah, just every single day, man, just working hard, trying to be the best teammate I can be.
It’s almost as if he’s trying to focus on being the best teammate he can be this year.
As of this moment, there’s no video footage of this awkward Q&A. I can’t wait for it to emerge. I know there’s some heroes in the background rolling their eyes.
If only one brave reporter had the courage to ask the same question 11 times in a row. Really would have escalated the situation.
[H/T: Buzzer on Fox]
[Image via Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports]