Terry McLaurin has a way with words that can really bring a grown man to tears.
Fresh off of a newly signed contract, McLaurin has the financial security of $70 million coming his way, Asked during a press conference on Wednesday for his reaction once he signed the contract Tuesday morning, the 26-year-old Commanders receiver delivered the type of response that inspires confidence to anyone watching, young or old.
"I almost get emotional right now. Like, I cry, I cried some real tears," McLaurin said, "because for a lot of my life I really had to grind and work for what I have now. And I had a lot of adversities and some people didn't necessarily believe in my ability, but my faith that sustained me, the people that... my village; the people that were praying for me, sacrificing for me, my family, my girlfriend, my homies back in Indianapolis, like I have so many people are the reason why I'm standing here today and I wouldn't be here without them."
"And so, my biggest mindset and what really pushed me is just to be my best self each and every day," he continued. "Like not really worry about what the things I could not control, but to worry about the things I could control. And one thing I was raised with was an extreme work ethic. I saw my parents get up and never miss a day of work, and work, work, work, work, work, work, and to be able to help them and to be in a position where they possibly don't have to work anymore is a blessing for me.
"It's something that's within myself that money can't buy, money can't sooth that for me, and while this is great financially for myself, I just love the grind, man. I really do. And it's gotten me to why I'm here. Like, the adversities that I went through in college and high school and the NFL, kind of being an underdog, the reason why I'm here is because of the work that was put in during those times."
"Anything I would say to anybody out there is just continue to have faith and believe in yourself," he said. "Make sure you put the work in and be honest and accountable, not only to yourself but to the people in the circle around you. It's really important to have the right people around you to not only help you to deal with the highs but the lows. And, genuinely, I've had the best support system and I really think the best is yet to come for my life personally and professionally because of the people I have in my life, and the work that I try to put in mentally and to just better myself as a human being."
"It's really cool to be standing here as a kid from Indianapolis, young, just had a dream to play in the NFL, man," McLaurin said with a lilt in his voice. "And it's very surreal, so I'm really excited and I'm just humbled, because I try to do things the right way, you know what I mean, and be true to myself. And to see in a world and a culture, sometimes you've got to do certain things to get your way or, you know, things that go viral, that to just stay true to yourself and be a professional, that's still rewarding. That's a lesson and a testimony that I'll have to share with other people and the guys in this locker room and the people that I meet out in the outside world."
"I cry, I cried some real tears because for a lot of my life I really had to grind and work for what I have now."
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) July 6, 2022
Terry McLaurin reflects on his journey to today 🥲 pic.twitter.com/OgevcIwjIX
Watch the full press conference here:
