That was Seymour out there on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, No. 41, playing cornerback against wide receiver Michael Thomas, relying on instincts and a couple of weeks of studying the system. It was an emergency situation for the Eagles, and it was an opportunity of a lifetime – again – for Seymour.
"I always knew going into that game there was a strong possibility that I would play," Seymour said. "They had me on special teams, but I just knew I would have a chance to play on defense. I was prepared as I could be. It was my moment to show myself and be a factor. I wanted to prove that I belong. I was out there making plays, making tackles. The big thing for me was to show them that I'm healthy, that I can get off blocks, that I can make tackles, that I can still run and be the player that the Eagles thought I could be when they signed me.
"After the game, after the win, I'm driving home and my wife is telling me how proud she was of me. I was talking to my twin brother (Keon) and he was saying that I looked the part, that I looked like I hadn't skipped a beat. I wanted to earn the respect of my coaches and my teammates. I came a long way. I've been through a lot of ups and downs and adversity, so it didn't faze me being out there. I knew I would have this opportunity again. It was a matter of time and a matter of being ready and capitalizing. God gave me another chance to showcase my skills and I took advantage of it."
Seymour is going to have more chances going forward with cornerback Avonte Maddox out for "a couple of weeks," said Head Coach Doug Pederson on Monday, and with starter Darius Slay in concussion protocol. Seymour has nice size at 6-feet, 185 pounds, and he certainly has something to play for. He has a family to support, and he wants to give his kids more than he had growing up in the projects. He wants to succeed for the name on his back.
He is on his way, a portrait in determination and pursuing the dream.
"He's got good size and like any corner – he gave up a touchdown pass, he didn't let that affect him at all," Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "Came back and continued to battle and played physical football. I was proud of him for that. It was a great step for his career. He'd sort of been sidetracked a little bit but to get back on the field and play winning football, that's a real tip of the cap to him, staying ready, keeping his faith through some tough times, and he was rewarded for that and we were rewarded for that."
Said Seymour: "I'm just preparing to be the best version of myself, the best version of Kevon Seymour on that field. Every week, every day, I'm trying to be better for myself, and if I'm better, everyone around me is better. I take none of this for granted. All of those hard times, I love it all. I attack every day like it's my last. That's me."
December 16, 2020 at 06:54PM
https://ift.tt/3mpWgWS
Who is No. 41? It's Kevon Seymour, with a tale to tell - PhiladelphiaEagles.com
https://ift.tt/3d5QSDO
No comments:
Post a Comment