FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Cornerback Darrelle Revis is no stranger to the prime-time stage, but ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” matchup between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs will mark his first regular-season experience as a Patriot.
Revis has appeared to blend into the Patriots’ culture seamlessly since signing a two-year, $32 million contract on March 17. One example of this came when he was joined in Arizona by new teammates Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan and Tavon Wilson for offseason training in the weeks before training camp.
As part of our weekly feature, the 29-year-old Revis reflected on his “football journey” – from his time as Pennsylvania’s Class AA Player of the Year as a senior at Aliquippa High School to the present day:
When he first started playing football: “When I was 7. I just liked the sport and wanted to play.”
Role models and players he admired growing up: “My uncle, Sean Gilbert, he played 11 years [in the NFL]. Ty Law. A bunch of guys -- Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, at that time the Cowboys were rolling, Michael Irvin and those guys. Then Darrell Green, Deion Sanders. There is a list of them, but I’ll leave it at those names. I looked up to a lot of people.”
Favorite memories at Aliquippa High School: “Winning the state championship my senior year. We went 14-1 that year. When you win states, sealing your senior year with that, that is the way you want to go out.”
Why he attended Pittsburgh: “I felt comfortable with the coaching staff, with the university itself. The facilities are awesome there. In high school, I took a couple visits and wanted to stay home. I’m a Pittsburgh-ian [laughs], wanted to help put Pittsburgh on the map again. There is no better way to do it than growing up there and being a part of the sports city that Pittsburgh is.”
Drafted by the Jets in the first round in 2007 (No. 14 overall): “I was very emotional when I got drafted, fulfilling one of my dreams of becoming a professional football player. You let that happen for a moment and then the party begins [laughs]. I had six great years there.”
Top memories and if it includes beating the Patriots: “It was a rivalry between the two teams, probably always will be. It’s one of the better rivalries in the NFL, with both teams bringing the best out of each other. It’s always a dogfight out there. We had our wins when I was in New York, and New England had their wins. That’s why it’s a rivalry, especially in the division. It means a lot getting that victory.”
Traded to the Buccaneers in 2013 for a first-round draft choice: “I was there one year and I appreciate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, and the ownership -- the Glazer family -- for taking a chance on me and believing in my talents coming off the [torn] ACL. I want to thank them. ... It was a long year. We weren’t successful as a team, we went 4-12, but all the guys are great down there. I built some great relationships with the team and some of the people in management as well. It was what it was, especially coming off the injury, there was a lot going on for me last year with trying to make sure I was 100 percent with the knee but also trying to deal and win every week. It was tough.”
Signing with the Patriots as a free agent: “I just wanted to weigh all my options; a bunch of teams called once I got released by Tampa. I wanted to pick the best and most comfortable place. As I narrowed the list down, New England kept sticking out and one reason was because I was familiar with them from playing against them. I respect this organization. I always did, even through the great battles. It just felt real familiar. Then once I sat down with Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick, it was basically a no-brainer at that point and I felt very comfortable just talking to them. The rest was history and now I’m here.”
What he loves about the game of football: “I love winning, man. I think that’s the biggest thing -- going out every week as a team, a whole team, and we all go out to accomplish one thing: To get the W that Sunday. We work so hard during the week, game-planning so many things, and as a defense it’s stopping the opposing team from what they do well. There are some great offenses in this league and to go out every week and put that pressure on your back and weight on your shoulders to go out and stop them, it’s very exciting. I think all of us in here are all competitors, and that’s what gets us going -- to go out there and compete.”
Summing up his football journey: “It’s been a long ride. I’m still going and I’m happy I can still play this game that I love. It really never changes, it’s still a game. At the professional level, guys are just bigger and faster. It’s more game-planning and things like that. Guys are smarter. But you can take a lot of things from this whole experience. Teamwork. Discipline. Family. There are so many other things you can take -- humility, leadership, determination, motivation -- that can help guys in the long run with their career and also after football.”