Jacksonville Jaguars Media Conference

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Brian Thomas Jr.

Postgame Press Conference


Jets - 32, Jaguars - 25

Q. Two touchdowns today. Could you describe to us how you got free and scored on both those?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: The first one, it was in a 3-by-1 formation. Had a little over-route, the safety came down, driving down on the tight end, so I was able to pop open.

And the second one -- I had a choice route and I was able to cross my defender's face, break his leverage. And I caught it and I just seen it was wide open so I ran to the end zone.

Q. Brian, when you came into the season, what kind of expectations did you have as a first-round selection? What did you think you could accomplish rookie year?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: As I came into the season, my expectation was just to be the best player that I could be, go out there and put in the work and just let that show for me. I came out wanting to just put my best foot forward each and every day. Just be the best I could be as a teammate and be the best I could be as a player, and see where that takes me.

Q. On the last play, where the ball was intercepted, did you think the ball was coming to you? Because it looked like over the middle you had an opening there, you were there, but the ball went behind you. Unfortunately Mac overthrew Parker. Did you think the ball was coming to you or were you not sure?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: I didn't think it was coming. I wasn't able to see the coverage they were in or whatever. So, no.

Q. Could you also talk about, where does the humility that you have come from? Because, quite frankly, a lot of really good receivers in the NFL have kind of a little bit of a -- a lot of diva in them. And you don't have that at all. Why is that?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: I just try to be humble. Try to go by my day each and every day just being the best person I can be. I really am just trying to be humble because I know it can all, as it's happening, it can all be taken away from you in a second. I just try to be humble about everything and just push forward and be the best I can be each and every day.

Q. You broke two records today, rookie records for the Jaguars -- most yards, most touchdowns. Was that important to you to set records like that? Or does that -- how does that fit in with your goals for the team and goals personally?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: I mean, it comes with it. I was just going out there playing. It comes with it. Just being the best I can be. And it turned out good for me just being able to break those records. But at the end of the day we still wanted to go out there and win as a team.

Q. Going into the game, did you know that you had the ability to break both those records? Did you think about it pregame?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: Yeah, I knew.

Q. Mac said earlier in the week you demand the football -- not in a diva way. But did you talk to him and press about trying to break those two records?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: No, just went out there and just played the game the right way. I let everything come to me.

Everybody knew. So I didn't really have to say anything, but I just go out there and play the game the right way. If it comes to me, it comes to me.

Q. What were the emotions when they made the announcement and you saw the Brian Thomas Jr. record breaking, what were your emotions?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: On the yards, I was super excited because I didn't know if I had it or not. I was super excited about both of them, really.

I knew when I got the touchdown, I broke it.

So it was just super exciting for me. It was a great moment. But at the end of the day still, it would be better if we got the win.

Q. Who was the woman you gave the ball to?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: That was my momma.

Q. What's your relationship like?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: Me and my mom have a great relationship. My mom and dad were here today. I love both of them. Me and my mom have a great relationship as the woman who raised me, took care of me my whole life. She means the world to me.

Q. When you knew that you scored that touchdown, did you guys plan that, giving the ball to her?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: Yeah, we had a talk about it. She's been wanting me to give her one. But every time I score I just go to the sideline. I had never really thought about it. But this time I'll remember. I remembered and I went and gave it to her.

Q. Unlike a lot of first-round draft pick receivers you came into a room that has some pretty solid, established guys. What have they been like in terms of helping with your development? And who would you say has helped you the most?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: They've been great. Just Gabe and Christian, they've been great to me, just teaching me a lot. Me just being able to learn from them, them continuously helping me on the sideline. Me and Christian were talking out certain coverages and how I should run certain routes.

And just them being there for me. They've been great teammates, great brothers for me. They're super supportive and they just hope for the best for me.

Q. Sounds like you're having a hard time really truly enjoying the moment just because the way the season has gone in terms of win/losses. Is that true? Are you having a hard time really enjoying the success?

BRIAN THOMAS JR.: I wouldn't say it's a hard time. But at the end of the day you know what you want. You know the goal is to be as good as a team. I mean, it's not really about personal accomplishments. You always want to be the best you can be as a team and the personal accomplishments will come with it.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
151301-1-1045 2024-12-15 22:01:00 GMT

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