Performing Under Pressure with Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders' Quarterback

Willy welcomes Taylor Heinicke, a quarterback for the Washington Commanders football team of the National Football League (NFL) who played college football at Old Dominion University (ODU). He was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, and has since also been a member of the NFL’s New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers football teams, and of the St. Louis Battle Hawks football team of the X-Treme Football League (XFL).

The Walker Webcast begins with Heinicke reminiscing about his early start at ODU, receiving his offer during his senior year, and committing to ODU immediately. He attributes his confidence and tenacity to his parents. He started out he disliked football, but he gave it a chance and fell in love with the sport. He explains that people associate football with the state of Georgia, and that being an overlooked quarterback prospect from Georgia, due to his smaller stature, became a chip on his shoulder to prove his talent and skill. He describes playing in high school and college as not much of a difference, but that only when moving up levels are players much stronger and smarter. That is what pushes him “to be good all the time, not just some of the time”. He retells a story about a comeback in a “bizarre game” that “was a lot of fun” as he threw for 730 yards and five touchdowns, and ran for 60 yards and one touchdown.

Heinicke recalls a brief, early-morning encounter with Tom Brady during his stint with the Patriots. “He’s already in there [the meeting room] with a coffee in his hand,” Heinicke says, “I got to kind of pick his brain and be around him… which was a really cool experience.”

Making his NFL debut for the Carolina Panthers the Sunday before Christmas was a surprise for Heinicke, as he was thrown into the starting role after an injury to starting quarterback, T.J. Yates. He describes his feelings while playing on national television as an “Oh my God moment” but also blacking out before getting into a state of focus.

He was signed by the Commanders in December, 2020 after several members of the team tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the playoffs. Head Coach Ron Rivera informed him only two days prior to the team’s playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he would be the starting quarterback. Despite his team losing the game, Heinicke played well, and because of his impressive play, the Commanders rewarded Heinicke with a new contract.

Key Points In The Webcast:

01:14 Willy welcomes Taylor Heinicke
02:16 Taylor’s start at ODU and his parents’ influence
04:22 Overcoming biases and playing in high school vs. college
06:25 Heinicke’s comeback and collegiate career injuries
08:16 Heinicke proving his skills and meeting Tom Brady
10:42 His thoughts on his Christmas Day NFL debut
12:52 Playing post-concussion and coping with the COVID-19 shutdown
16:02 Getting called by coach Ron Rivera and playing in Tampa Bay
20:13 The Commanders contract and the impact of incentives
23:35 Improving on mechanics and reads
26:26 The complexities of playing pro
27:51 What coaches can say and keeping momentum
30:40 Heinicke’s leadership strategies and his pre-game playlist
32:49 The significance of the number 4 and his workout regimen
35:11 Flexibility, Alex Smith, and getting a Tesla
40:19 Team marketing and Carson Wentz
43:18 Playing with Terry McLaurin and Taylor’s favorite coach
45:32 Playing golf as a hobby
46:56 Heinicke’s parents as his source of strength

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