*With setting records, creating Hail Mary moments, and bringing his Washington Commanders into the playoff conversation, Jayden Daniels has gained a rep for positively shifting things.
But with each achievement and more attention paid to his game, the LSU Tiger turned Commander remains rooted to what got him to the table and is not ashamed of where he comes from nor where he is headed.
As a result, it feels automatic that Daniels will be in the conversation of present football greats who are just getting started in cementing their legacy.
Not only among the general football-loving public but also legendary sports stars who recognize the talent before them and the potential he has to sit on the throne with them among the best.
Chatting with Boardroom co-founder and NBA icon Kevin Durant and rap hitmaker Travis Scott, Daniels finds himself among like-minded companies as he breaks down his joy in inspiring others and adjusting to playing in the pros as well as bouncing back after tough times and why “nothing gets past my mama.”
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Travis Scott: In both art and sport, failure can be the sharpest tool. Football is full of adversity. Can you share a moment of adversity and how you turned it into an opportunity?
Jayden Daniels: My transfer from Arizona State to LSU.
I was dealing with stuff in my personal life and had to go across the [country] to a whole different university without knowing anybody out there. Trusting what God had for me and the plan He had set out for me.
It worked out. But the failure that I had my last year at Arizona State? I had to be able to go from there and grow from there and make a name for myself. My family threw me a Hail Mary when both of my grandparents passed away. I wasn’t focused and didn’t have my energy in the right direction. I was dwelling over what happened. I hit the portal and that was my Hail Mary of getting that fresh start and moving forward.
My family was with me every step of the way. I made my own decisions, but they were there to help guide me and push me to achieve my dreams and live out what I always said I wanted as a kid. After I lost both my grandparents to COVID-19 in the same month? Nothing can be harder than that. Football is my safe haven to go out there and have fun just playing ball.
In the NFL, we just snapped a three-game losing streak, and I don’t remember the last time I ever lost three games in a row. That’s something new to me. But going through that time when you haven’t won for almost a month? You’re losing close games, and it’s very frustrating because of how competitive I am. I hate losing more than I love winning.
Everything can’t be perfect. If everything was perfect, then everybody would be able to play this sport. I go out there, learn from the losses, and continue to grow from there.
Kevin Durant: The NFL game is faster and more complex than college. What’s been the toughest part of adjusting your decision-making speed and how do you train for that?
JD: You’ve gotta be on time. Are those guys on the other side of the ball? They get paid a lot of money to make plays. You’ve gotta be able to know different coverages, and different defenses, and be able to process quickly on the fly before the ball is snapped and after the ball is snapped. You’ve gotta be able to know what the defense is doing and where your answers are in the offense.
That comes back to the football knowledge. How much do you know about your offense? How much can you retain, and how much can you grow within that?
TS: I’d imagine your rookie year is akin to creating a debut album – immense potential, ample time to prepare, and a clear vision. But now you have to show the world. How have you approached stepping into this new chapter, taking everything you’ve worked on throughout your life and translating it into execution on the biggest stage?
JD: That’s deep. I’d say the main [thing] is knowing the reason you’re doing it. One of the reasons I play this game is to be one of the best. That’s a high expectation, but that’s the standard I set for myself.
You’ve gotta put the work in every day and prove it. At the end of the day, nobody’s gonna care how high I was drafted, where I went, or how much money I made. It’s how can I help this city, how can I help the team win? That’s the main thing. I go in every day and go, ‘How can I get better for my team, the organization, the city, and the fan base?’
[This season] I kind of already knew, but [I learned] how competitive I am and how much will I have to win. But past that? [I learned] how much impact I really have on my teammates or people that are older than me. I watch plenty of football and see guys that have had high success, but I didn’t know how much impact I’d be able to have coming into the league as a rookie, you’ve got guys who’ve been playing in the NFL for ten-plus years.
The most surprising part of stepping into the NFL is the diversity of age. You’ve got people that are 21 and people that are pushing 40. The knowledge that they have? Some people might call out plays before I even know what play we’re getting. They have tendencies, they watch a lot of film and prepare [like] crazy. I’m trying to get to that level.
TS: Pressure can be both a challenge and a driving force. In music, it pushes creativity; in sports, it requires focus and precision. How do you see pressure — not just as something to overcome but as a key part of growth and reaching your full potential?
JD: It’s a cliche, but pressure is a privilege. Not everybody can be in the position that I’m blessed to be in. To have fans waiting for you to see what you can do to help win a football game. I embrace that.
Where I come from? I don’t really see any pressure. I made it out of an area where a lot of people don’t make it out. We’ve got a couple of people in the NFL, and we’re starting to change the dynamic, but I don’t really see pressure.
KD: You’re coming from a pretty legendary stadium experience at LSU. What’s the biggest difference between that experience and playing at home at Northwest — fans and conditions alike?
JD: Playing at LSU? It’s 100,000 fans. In college, stadiums are bigger. Playing in the DMV at Northwest Stadium? I don’t know how it was before, but it be rocking at every home game! I love seeing the fan base, seeing them happy after we’re able to get a win.
It brings me joy to see the players that were here prior to the new regime and the fan base that stayed loyal through it all to see them happy. Hearing buzz around the city, and DC, and Maryland, and Virginia. Everybody’s happy to go out there and be a Washington Commanders fan.
I’m a Cali boy to the end, but DC is for sure the second home.
KD: DC has a rich sports history and intense fans. How do you stay grounded while carrying the expectations of such a diverse and demanding fan base? Also, how do you see yourself connecting with the city and using your platform off the field?
JD: That’s a good question. I’d say staying grounded, remembering who I am and why I do it. Why I do it is to be able to inspire other people to chase their dreams at a high level like I did. The people I mentioned prior inspired me to chase my dreams and aspirations.
Just seeing what DC has brought to me … how they welcome me with open arms. It’s been nothing but blessings. My main platform off the field is spreading the Gospel. Bringing people closer to God and knowing that without Him, nothing is possible. With Him? Everything’s possible.
That’s my platform outside the field and overall, just inspiring people. Don’t be afraid to reach for the stars and chase your dreams. Each and every game we play at home, I’m stopping to sign a kid or two’s jersey and to see the smile on their face. That brings me joy within before going out there and playing.
KD: One of the most important things for me in my career was learning to surround myself with the right people off the court and start building my business team so I could do stuff like create Boardroom. How are you approaching building your team, and how do you ensure you do so while staying locked in on football?
JD: Nothing gets past my mama. That’s the biggest thing. She reads people and doesn’t put people around me that don’t benefit me. My mom’s support through this journey has been huge. For her to show up at every game whether it’s sunny, hot, rainy, or cold? She’ll throw on three or four coats and be cheering no matter what, making sure that I’m my best and taking as much off my plate as possible.
I’m always around my family, my cousins, even my boys, who’ve known me since before I got here. People that I’ve gotten close with on my team or in college, people that I feel have that same mindset and goals as me on and off the field so that we can grow with each other.
For more of Kevin Durant and Travis Scott’s interview with Jayden Daniels, click here.
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