Giants rookie receiver Malik Neighbors met with Washington Post columnist Steve Selby for a Kickoff Weekend Q&A.
Q: You play for the New York Giants wearing the number 1. You've met the family of former Giant Ray Flaherty, whose number 1 became the first retired number in the NFL, and you plan to attend a game with him.
A: This is the first retired number, so it's a big deal, but I don't really look at it that way. … I don't want to tell myself in my mind, “I have to do this, I have to do this,” because this is the number I wear, so “I have to do that.” Don't get me wrong. It's a big deal, but it's not a big deal in my mind. Because I don't want to tie my mind to something that I feel like if I put too much pressure on myself, I won't perform well. If I try too hard on the field and I feel like I want to do this, I want to do that, then I can't focus on what I can actually do. So I want to make sure that my mind is in a stable state. But being No. 1 with the New York Giants, I definitely have a feeling in my mind that I'm the chosen one, that I was born to do this, that I'm blessed. … This is the beginning of a new journey.
Q: Do you feel like there's a target or bullseye on your back trying to stop you?
A: Absolutely.
Q: What do you think about that?
A: Let's try it.
Q: Do you respond to insults?
A: I don't say bad things during the game. I have a lot of thoughts in my head, but if someone says something I have to respond, and I will respond. But most of the time I'm not really talking.
Q: From your Instagram: “My heart won't let me lose.”
A: Yes, when I go into a match, I can't lose. The thought of losing doesn't enter my mind. In the end, I intend to win. I will find a way to win and not lose. Even if I lose, I will keep trying until I win.
Q: Imagine you're scouting yourself as a receiver, what are your top three strengths?
A: Hands…speed…catch radius.
Q: Why would you buy a ticket to see Malik Neighbors play soccer?
A: I'm going to be energetic. I'm going to do my best. That's all I can do.
Q: The one that comes to mind is Deonte Banks.
A: Dog. He wants to be the best at what he does. He never backs down. He's confident in himself. He's going to be great.
Q: Did you tell me that you and Deonte look alike or did he tell you?
A: I think people would say we're alike. He's loud and I'm quiet. But when we're together we just laugh, so he's like my twin.
Q: Wan'Dale Robinson.
A: Quick, agile, smart. He has this crazy vertical move that nobody knows about.
Q: Jalyn Hyatt.
A: Fast. Quick. Good at tracking the ball. Smart.
Q: Darius Slayton.
A: He has dexterous hands, smooth feet, is smart and has a slightly timid personality.
Q: What does “quiet dawg” mean?
A: He's a good guy, but he's not a loud talker like me. I'm a loud talker. I talk about certain things I'm going to do, and he makes a play and runs back to the line. I'm yelling, screaming, dancing.
Q: What do you think about Daniel Jones' beard?
A: He had to hold onto it.
Q: Why?
A: I don't want to cut my beard. I think it's better to keep it. It makes me look stronger (laughs).
Q: What have you learned about him as a quarterback?
A: He's smart. Really, what can I say? He's a great quarterback to work with because he's always trying to improve himself. He's definitely a hard worker. His work ethic is great.
Q: Have you ever imagined yourself making an Odell Beckham Jr.-style catch?
A: I think everyone was like that (laughs). But the way he caught it was amazing because he caught it with three fingers. It's hard to do that.
Q: From your Instagram: “I don't know if they hate me or hate me for being me.”
A: After I got drafted and I was just a pain in the ass and all the other stuff that had my name on it, I didn't know if people hated me or loved me. I don't know if people really hated me or loved me when I was good. I don't know if people hated me or loved me. I don't know if people hated me or loved me when I was bad.
Q: You want to be loved, right?
A: Yes, but at the end of the day, I always use the phrase “most hated.”
Q: When did you first realize you were a badass on the field?
A: Probably my senior year of high school. I felt like no one could stop me.
Q: Why is being Doug so important to you?
A: I mean, that's what people like, that's what owners and coaches like. They like guys that go out and compete. And that's what I'm trying to do.
Q: Please define “dawg” on the field.
A: It means it's truly unstoppable.
Q: Are you a student of the game?
A: Yeah, definitely. I take the time to improve my skills and listen to other people's opinions. So I feel like I'm a student of the game.
Q: Your mom wrote on your Instagram, “You have defied all odds and overcome everything that has tried to bring you down.”
A: People have thrown a lot at me on my journey to get to this point, but I have continued to overcome everything that has been thrown at me.
Q: What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome?
A: I probably won't play my senior year. [of high school]and probably the two punts he dropped as a sophomore earlier in the season were also to blame.
Q: What drives you?
A: My mom. My kids drive me there. She would get up early in the morning, go to work, work late at night, and just make sure we had food on the table and clothes to wear all day. She never questioned it, she never took a break, she just kept working hard. I'm doing the same thing now so she doesn't have to. So I'm going to remember her fight every day as I play and I'm going to wear that on my back.
Q: Will she come to the game?
A: Yes.
Q: What's it like being one of New York's most desirable single men?
A: Is that so?
Q: You're a good looking guy…
A: (smiles) I think that's a plus. I'm good looking, so that's a plus for me.
Q: What did you learn about the New York area?
A: There is a lot of traffic.
Q: What is your favorite thing about New York?
A: Just shopping.
Q: Are you interested in fashion?
A: A little bit. I try to be interested.
Q: Have you found a good place?
A: I go with Isaiah Simmons. He knows a lot of the spots around here, so we walk around the city and he takes me to different stores.
Q: Do you have a particular fashion style?
A: No, I try to mix and match but I'm too set in my ways. I like skinny jeans and stuff like that.
Q: If you could go one-on-one with any cornerback in NFL history, who would you choose?
A: Deion Sanders.
Q: If you could catch a touchdown pass from any quarterback in NFL history, who would it be?
A: Tom Brady.
Q: Tell us about your pre-game routine.
A: I don't really have a pre-match routine, I just wake up and it's match day.
Q: What do you think a man standing in a tunnel experiences?
A: My stomach is pounding, but Dubs [coach Brian Daboll] He’s going to come up to me and say one thing to me: don’t worry about what’s going on outside, just play your game.
Q: Do you dream of becoming a Hall of Famer?
A: Every player thinks about the Hall of Fame, but it's a long road to get there. That's the end goal. Legendary status. I'm going to keep working towards that status, but I'm not really thinking about it right now.
Q: What legacy do you want to leave behind in the future?
A: It really isn't up to me, but what God above has prepared for my future. I will continue to follow in the footsteps of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Q: What are you most proud of about your journey so far?
A: I'm most proud of the fact that I haven't given up yet. A lot of people seem to feel like they don't want to do it anymore or that they're done, but that's not the case for me. So I'm most proud of the fact that I've continued to have the same mentality, the same drive to be the best and to work hard, and I've never taken a break.
Q: Are there three dinner guests?
A: NBA YoungBoy wants to be president… [John F.] Kennedy, Neil Armstrong.
Q: Why Neil Armstrong?
A: I'd love to know what he saw in space.
Q: What are your personal goals?
A: Rookie of the Year, 1,000-yard receiver, Pro Bowl.
Q: What message would you like to send to Giants fans about Malik Neighbors?
A: Be careful. Be careful this year.
