NFL players are just like the rest of us.
Michael Penix Jr. was shopping at Costco with his girlfriend on Tuesday night when he learned he had been named the Falcons' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Giants.
In fact, Penix, 24, was standing in line for a hot dog when he got the news of his big promotion.
“Every time I got a call, I was no longer hungry.” Penix told reporters. On Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the team announced it would bench veteran Kirk Cousins, head coach Raheem Morris said, “Football It was called a decision.
“I got a call and was told I would be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.” Add Penix. “As you can imagine, I was a little nervous and excited, but I'm very happy to be in this position. I'm really happy to have this opportunity and join this team. As I always say, My family always says, just trust God, trust the process, and live each day with trust and faith that when your time comes, it's your time.
“Then I got a call last night and was told it was your time.”
The decision came a day after Cousins threw for just 112 yards in the Falcons' win over the Raiders on Monday night.
This mediocre performance came during a five-game span in which Cousins threw one touchdown against nine interceptions.
The Falcons sparked quarterback controversy before the season even started when they drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in April after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason. .
To make things even more interesting, Penix's first career start will be against a Giants team that chose to pass him with the No. 6 overall pick.
In his place, he acquired wide receiver Malik Nabors.
