Jaguars 32, Patriots 16
Q. You start off with your mindset when the ball was coming your way down to the 4 yard line. That's usually not an area where punt returners are traditionally moved to punt. Did you feel like there was enough open space in front of you that it would work?
PARKER WASHINGTON: Yeah, definitely. Just going into that play, I mean, I'm knowing that that punter was about to -- he was booming them. So I knew he could outkick the coverage. I saw the opportunity, and I was, like, Let's be aggressive. It paid off, and I was glad to get that play.
Q. Parker, the longest punt return in franchise history. How does that feel?
PARKER WASHINGTON: It's a special moment. It's crazy because all week talking with teammates, we were, like, It's going to happen, You're going to get one, You're going to score and get a punt return.
I was telling some of the players, some of the coaches, I was, like, I just want one. I just want one career punt return touchdown or just any return touchdown, and it's just a special moment. Even before the game I watched a little bit of DeSean Jackson. He's one of my favorite players.
So it just inspired me. Just being able to go out there and make a play like that, it was fun.
Q. Your celebration, was that something that you guys planned for your celebration?
PARKER WASHINGTON: Yeah, it was pretty much planned a little bit. It was funny. I was out with my family yesterday joking around. I said, If I score tomorrow, this is what we're going to do.
My auntie was, like, I'm going to do it with you, I'm going to do it with you. It was a special moment to see it happen in realtime and speaking it into existence. It was just a special moment.
Q. When you do play like that, obviously it pushes you on to cloud nine. (Indiscernible) franchise history. How easy to get back and reset your mind?
PARKER WASHINGTON: I feel like it just goes back to, like you say, your mentality. Chop wood, carry water, keep going.
Before this day I wasn't starting. I had to step up. Dev went down. So it's just being ready for the moment and seizing that moment. So going back so the sidelines it's, like, Reset, let's get another one.
Don't get satisfied, chop wood, carry water, keep going no matter what.
Q. Did you feel that the punter got his hands on the bottom of your leg a little bit because there was no contact at all with the quarterback?
PARKER WASHINGTON: Just in that play, that's my first time ever getting that close to the snapper or even a punter. So I just knew from my mindset when I think about it, I'm going to run through them because they don't want to tackle.
Just in that moment I just was, like, let's just trust my speed and if he tackles me, I hope he wouldn't, but I'm just going to try and run through him or just right around him.
Q. You described the celebration. Was it a splash or a pop? What exactly was that?
PARKER WASHINGTON: I always do my little whatever, and I was telling one of my teammates again, If I get a chance and if I have room -- if I get a chance, I was, like, Okay, I'm just going to turn around right before the end zone and kind of do it and then get up and start doing it for real.
It was just a fun time just being able to have fun. I feel like that's what it's all about. Bring juice to the team the best way you can, and that momentum carried into the rest of the game, and I felt like that helped us get a win today.
Q. That's an international NFL record. Obviously the win is most important for you guys. Team results are important. Is that something when you come over here and play in this international game and give you guys some stats and some (indiscernible) to achieve?
PARKER WASHINGTON: It's special. Being overseas. Even just being here for the last nine, ten days, I was out golfing on our day off. I was, like, Who would have ever thought I'm golfing overseas (laughing)? It's just surreal, just special. I just want to embrace it and just have fun with it.
Q. Any of the guys homesick yet?
PARKER WASHINGTON: You definitely want to stay. I will say I do miss my bed. I'm a home body. I'm a home body, but I enjoyed it. I love it.
It's a blessing to be able to come over here each year with the Jaguars. It's my second time, and way better experience this time for me being able to get in the end zone and with a win going back.
It's special. I'm ready to go home, but I wouldn't mind staying if it means winning.
Q. (Off microphone)
PARKER WASHINGTON: Oh, I did not know, so it's special.
Q. (Off microphone)
PARKER WASHINGTON: Oh, that's special. Like I said, it's just a special night just for the team getting us back on track. We have to keep going, though, you know. It don't stop here. We have to go back to United States and continue to do what we do and handle business, go 1-0.
Q. Parker, how much do you think this result will provide a spark for this team? What do you guys have to do to try to make sure that this momentum keeps going and is not just a one-off?
PARKER WASHINGTON: It starts in practice. It starts with the preparation. We had a great week of practice, great competition. The energy was there.
Like I said, I felt like our issue was translating that to the game, having that same energy, having our teammates' back, picking everybody up who needs to be picked up, and just playing together.
I feel like that made tonight special, and we just have to keep building on that. I feel like that will take us a long way for the rest of the year.
Q. You said you have been here nine, ten days. What's been your favorite experience in London?
PARKER WASHINGTON: It's special because my mom, she plans the trip every year. So as long as I'm with the Jags, she's here. Just being able to see her smile and have a great time overseas, it makes me smile and keeps me going. I'm excited for her to be able to have that special moment, and it makes me smile too.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports