The Houston Texans made Jadeveon Clowney the number one pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was the consensus top prospect coming out of college, much like he was out of high school. Being the number one prospect means there is a lot of pressure to succeed. Some fold under this pressure while others such as Clowney handle it with relative ease. When Clowney was selected, he stood up and plenty of tears flowed down his face. It seemed to be a moment of relief.
Clowney joked with Pro Player Insiders about the tears that he shed but acknowledged that it was just the beginning. The top draft pick talked about who he feels has been the most influential person to him on and off the field.
“My mom is my hero. She’s been with me every step of the way, when I started playing this game when I was five years old. She never let me quit anything. She always pushed me, told me that I can be better than what I was and that I can be whatever I want to be. In the game, I always watched Ray Lewis. Very inspirational to me. I always play him in the locker room before games and everybody just be like yeah I am ready. It gets everybody going, his speeches and everything. I look up to Ray Lewis.”
Clowney has a fun personality that is infectious. He likes to crack jokes and have a good time. The pressure of being the first pick was something that Clowney just doesn’t seem to acknowledge. He knows that a lot is expected of him and that’s fine with him because he said he will just go out and be the best Jadeveon Clowney that he can be.
He was very relaxed at the Rookie Premiere event. He joked with the camera people about wanting to take a picture with him. He took selfie pics with some of the others. Tom Savage, the new Texans quarterback was also on hand and Clowney didn’t spare him for the jokes either. He was clearly at ease in front of the camera. The big lights and all of the attention really didn’t affect him.
Clowney even took the time to tell us what two super powers he select if given the opportunity. A lot of the players said they would want to be either invisible or able to read minds. His answer was pretty creative.
“I would be fast as anybody, like the Flash. I would also be like Superman. Who wouldn’t want to be like Superman? He’s untouchable, no one would be able to hurt me, no one could kill me. I could be like Mr. Fantastic, stretch and grab someone anywhere on the field!”
Clowney was sure to mention how his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina has some pretty big things going on. Rock Hill is responsible for producing three straight first round picks. Those players are Stephon Gilmore, Cordarrele Paterson and now Clowney. As the number one pick Clowney will have a target on his back. It is rare the team that selects the number one pick is actually the best team for him. Clowney is very fortunate for to be going to the Houston Texans. As he says, the fit is perfect.
‘’Man, they already love me down there. It’s a great fit for me. Those guys have it going on down there. They are have, true leaders on the defense. They have Jonathan Joseph a DB who is a vet, DJ Swearinger like you said and JJ Watt, he works harder than anyone I have ever seen. It’s great for me. I will just really follow their lead. Sky’s the limit for me and this team.”
All rookies go through some tight spots in their first season. Jadeveon Clowney is no exception. He will have to cope with the trials and tribulations that come his way in his first year. He is no stranger to pressure so his ability to just clown around will help to diffuse some of the tough times.
