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00:00 >> Brock, just want to ask you to start off,
00:05 how you're feeling after playing 40 snaps,
00:10 the ankle and your thoughts on playing your first
00:15 road game since the injury.
00:18 >> I'm feeling pretty good.
00:19 I mean, a little sore after the game, but that was to be expected.
00:21 I mean, just haven't played in three, four weeks or whatever.
00:25 And yeah, I'm excited to go on the road and kneel in.
00:28 I mean, it's gonna be a fun environment to play in and just excited.
00:31 >> Brock, I'm just wondering, we're all aware of your competitive nature.
00:38 When this injury first happened, can you back us up to when the decision was made?
00:43 Obviously, you didn't waste any time.
00:45 So you had the logistics of getting that set up by Monday in Birmingham is pretty
00:48 crazy, number one.
00:50 Number two, were you aware that Tua did it 27 days,
00:55 these others did it 28 days, I think I can beat it.
00:58 I wanna see if I can beat it.
00:59 >> I mean, yeah, getting all set up was pretty crazy cuz my mom came down after
01:05 Vanderbilt cuz I mean, they told her to come down just in case.
01:08 And I mean, it was just all a mess at first, but
01:12 I got it figured out, got it done.
01:13 And then, yeah, I wasn't really paying attention to all that.
01:16 I mean, I just kinda was like, I mean, just kinda reaching benchmarks.
01:20 And whenever I could play, I could play and it ended up being last week, so.
01:25 >> Kirby told us that there were people reaching out to you,
01:27 telling you that you probably shouldn't play and all that.
01:30 Just what goes through your head as you get some of those calls and such?
01:35 >> I mean, I just kinda, I mean, it never really crossed my mind.
01:40 I just wanted to always come back for the team and all the guys in the locker room.
01:44 I mean, we all care so much about each other and
01:46 I just wanted to come back and try to help the team win.
01:48 >> Yeah, when we've talked to coach about this injury,
01:53 he mentions the words pain threshold and what pain you're able to deal with.
01:57 You obviously have a high pain tolerance.
01:59 Is this something that just comes with playing football?
02:01 >> I mean, I don't know, I guess it kinda helps.
02:04 But yeah, I mean, they said it's gonna feel uncomfortable sometimes.
02:09 So I mean, it's just gonna feel that way for a little bit, but
02:12 I'd rather be out there than not.
02:14 >> Was it at all important to you to come back and play in Sanford Stadium again,
02:21 maybe not knowing how the next few months are gonna shake out?
02:24 >> Yeah, I mean, I didn't have my mind totally locked onto a game.
02:28 But I mean, I guess once I got out there, once I got suited up, I mean,
02:32 I got a little, I mean, it just felt kinda special being out there for
02:36 the last time this season.
02:37 And yeah, I mean, it was just, it was cool.
02:39 >> Probably walk me through the touchdown catch in that game and
02:44 just what did that moment mean to you after what you've gone through in this
02:47 last month?
02:49 >> Yeah, I mean, the touchdown catch, I mean, we've repped that play, I swear,
02:52 like every single week, every single day for like three years.
02:56 And that was like the first time we've actually ran it in the game and
02:58 like it's been like the right coverage to throw the wide of the ball.
03:02 And I mean, yeah, it came up and I motioned down, I saw him there,
03:05 I was like, man, this might be good.
03:07 And then, yeah, I mean, it felt really good just, I mean,
03:11 just kinda getting back and, I mean, just scoring and
03:15 being able to celebrate the sideline with all the dudes, I mean, it was fun.
03:18 >> Yeah, Kirby mentioned the other night, he said, he's watching film practice and
03:23 he sees you just streaking by in the background.
03:25 Just those first few times you really tested the ankle in practice,
03:28 what was that like?
03:29 And what was the, I guess, process like of gaining confidence day by day in practice?
03:34 >> Yeah, I mean, I like the rehab process cuz I mean, it was going fast.
03:38 Like, I mean, I was progressing pretty fast and
03:40 I can't know the benchmarks that I said.
03:41 But yeah, I mean, it was always kind of like the next day I wanted to see what I
03:44 could hit and see if I could hit faster than the other day.
03:46 So I mean, it was kinda fun in that way.
03:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]
03:51 >> You were in the game several plays before you finally got a target,
03:54 finally got a catch.
03:56 And it seemed like the particular one you got, that quick hitch, and
04:01 the guy looked like it went right for your ankle.
04:03 I mean, I don't think he was trying to get your ankle, but I mean, that was, and
04:06 you were able to push off, avoid that tackle.
04:09 I mean, was that reassuring, I guess, that play in particular and how it came down?
04:16 >> Yeah, I mean, I don't know.
04:18 I guess a little reassuring, but I mean, it also didn't feel great in the moment,
04:22 but I mean- >> It didn't hurt?
04:23 >> I mean, it was uncomfortable.
04:26 But yeah, I mean, it just kinda gave me that kinda extra confidence for
04:30 the rest of the game and
04:31 knowing that I can make those cuts and jump around on it, so.
04:35 >> As far as moving forward and continuing to play with this,
04:39 is there things that you do to strengthen your ankle throughout the week?
04:43 Do you wear a brace or extra tape or anything like that in practice and games?
04:49 >> Yeah, I mean, we're just doing a bunch of physical therapy and
04:52 rehab in the mornings and obviously practice in the afternoon.
04:55 And just doing a whole bunch of strengthening and flexibility and
04:58 trying to keep the swelling down too.
05:00 And yeah, I mean, just taping it and spatting it up.
05:04 >> More than normal?
05:06 >> I mean, usually I wouldn't get my ankle spatted, so yeah.
05:11 >> What was the timeline on saying that you were gonna be able to play in
05:16 Saturday's game?
05:17 Was it like week of the game?
05:19 Was that when you all pretty much decided that would be it?
05:22 >> Yeah, I mean, I wasn't totally sure at all.
05:24 I guess in the whole week leading up to it, I mean, I was kinda unsure if they'd
05:29 let me go or if they're gonna kinda keep me out.
05:32 But I mean, I wanted to play, obviously, and I mean, I ended up feeling pretty good.
05:37 And I was able to go, so I mean, I was happy about it.
05:39 >> Probably looking at everything that you've been through this,
05:43 what do you feel like, is there anything you thought you've learned about yourself
05:49 watching film through this?
05:50 >> That's a good question.
05:53 I don't, I mean, I guess just learn how to work through things and
05:59 just having a purpose to come back and just wanting to come back.
06:05 I mean, I just kinda really appreciate the things that I had before.
06:09 Cuz I mean, when you get in the grind, you kinda don't really think about it.
06:13 And then when it gets taken away from you that fast, and it's kinda like, man,
06:16 like this sucks.
06:17 And then you kinda gotta get back into it, and yeah,
06:20 it just kinda gives you a whole new perspective on it.
06:23 >> What was going through your mind at Vanderbilt?
06:26 I saw when you punched the turf, I mean, obviously,
06:29 were you thinking that the season might be over?
06:31 Or did you have any idea what was going on?
06:33 >> I was just frustrated.
06:33 I mean, I knew something was a little off, and I mean,
06:36 it didn't really feel too good.
06:37 I got up and tried to start jogging or walking off, and
06:41 then it still didn't really feel right.
06:43 So I mean, I looked at Sal, and I was like, that's a long jog.
06:45 So I just kinda went down.
06:46 But yeah, I was really frustrated, and yeah, I mean, it sucked.
06:51 >> Yeah, from a, I guess, mental standpoint,
06:54 who were the people that you really leaned on through this process?
06:58 Was it your parents?
06:58 Was it some sports psychologist that y'all had to help you from a mental
07:02 standpoint, through the whole rehab process?
07:04 >> Yeah, I think my parents always helped me a lot, and my friends.
07:08 And yeah, I talked to the sports psychologist two or three times, I think,
07:13 just getting my mind right.
07:15 And also all the dudes in the locker room, I mean, just being around them.
07:18 I mean, because we're around each other all the time, and
07:21 just being able to be around them, it just kinda lightens the mood, and
07:24 shows me that purpose to come back to.
07:25 >> Brock, I feel like we've asked a lot of questions about yourself.
07:29 So I wanted to pivot to Oscar Delp.
07:32 How proud of you were for him, and
07:37 him going out there and making an impact with your absence?
07:40 >> Yeah, I mean, I was super proud of him and lucky.
07:42 I mean, they came in, didn't miss a beat.
07:44 I mean, they worked hard day by day.
07:45 I mean, they do as much work as everyone else.
07:48 And I mean, just seeing them get the opportunity, and I guess just being able
07:52 to capitalize on their opportunity, and make some plays, too.
07:54 I mean, that was awesome to see.
07:55 I was rooting for them on the sideline.
07:57 >> Coach Bobo was nominated for the Royals Award today.
08:01 Just take us back to that time.
08:03 I know he had worked with you all as tight ends.
08:04 Just what went through your mind in that transition, and
08:07 how do you feel like things have gone through 10 games?
08:10 >> Yeah, I think he's done a great job through that whole transition.
08:13 And I think we started to finally build an identity after a couple games.
08:16 I mean, it took us a little bit to get rolling, and
08:19 get some of the kinks worked out and everything.
08:21 But I feel like we kinda found an identity as an offense and got rolling.
08:25 >> You mentioned hitting those benchmarks.
08:27 After you hit all the benchmarks and you were clear to play,
08:29 did they give you any recommendation on what to wear the rest of the season, or
08:32 for how long you have to wear a brace, or anything like that?
08:34 Or is it just kinda how you feel and what you're comfortable with?
08:37 >> I think it's just more how I feel, and I mean,
08:41 yeah, that's what I'm comfortable with pretty much.
08:43 I mean, it's kinda up to me, I guess.
08:45 >> Thank you.
08:46 >> Thanks, Coach.
08:47 >> Thank you.
08:48 (chewing)
08:50 [BLANK_AUDIO]