THOUSAND OAKS, CA — Odell Beckham Jr. grew up in Louisiana while he had a spectacular collegiate career at LSU, and eventually drafted in the first round by the New York Giants, yet he was often misunderstood by the mainstream media. Whether it be his dance moves or his cool hair style that many young men emulated throughout the country, one thing is for certain he is focused on greatness in the sport of football. Though things didn’t pan out for him in Cleveland with the Browns, Beckham was extracted out for a better situation in Los Angeles with a premiere franchise in the Rams.
“Inside I felt such joy and a sense of peace throughout all of this,” Beckham said. “I’m a big kid at heart when I step on the football field, like this is football at the end of the day. Like I told you it’s just been a rough month for me, and usually every November, my birthday is on the fifth, it’s always my greatest month. It just always, always is. And it just hasn’t been for the last couple of years, continued right to this year. So just got to find a way to turn it around and focus on what I need to do and find a way to get a win.”
He is truly focused on football and displays 100% effort each time he steps on the practice field, and the gridiron on Sundays to help this team win any way possible. The Mamba Mentality along with his dedication to the game is a recipe for success and positive vibes. Witnessing him in practices definitely showcases a pure sense of positive vibes and a renewed focus.
Now that the bye week has passed, Beckham relayed he put in hours of work to ensure he got the playbook down enough to be ready on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. A bigger test awaits him off the field as he prepares for fatherhood with his long time girlfriend Lauren Wood.
“This is something I’ve dreamed about all my life. I always knew kids was always my thing,” Beckham explained. “If you ever see me at the games, I’m always trying to interact with the kids because I remember when I was playing in the Georgia Dome at six or seven years old and Mike Vick, who was my favorite and I’m looking up to him. The way that he showed me love, from that day on, I knew when I got into this position that’s what I wanted to do. So, I’m excited about it man. Yes. Words don’t even do justice and the child is not even here yet. So, excited.”
An important step as highlighting Black men having a strong role in the lives of their Black children, and Beckham understands the responsibility of that, and the blessing to raise his child along with Woods in a loving environment these two remarkably share.
Often times the Black and communities of color discuss the importance of generational wealth and Beckham has taken steps to ensure that for himself and his family moving forward. He recently joined a list of athletes that decided to receive their NFL salary in Bitcoin in partnership with Square Inc.’s (SQ) Cash App. He will also give away $1 million in Bitcoin to fans.
“I mean you definitely have to know what you’re doing. But I think it’s the same situation as being on a team. You trust and rely on the people around you and the people I surrounded myself with just on that occasion and get all the information that I need and go from there.”
His faith in God remains strong, and faith in himself that is displayed through the confidence he showcases each week is a great example on being the best at his craft. Beckham plays with a great awareness of freedom and clarity that can only produce incredible results for the rest of the season. A creative and intelligent player that is authentically and unapologetically himself.
“I feel like I’m at peace now, and I think that’s what people see when I’m out here. I literally just have peace and I get to do my thing. I get to run routes, I get to play football and just be free. I’m excited. I feel free and I’m just ready to play football again.”
Beckham will be one of the factors on the offense along with wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson on Sunday at Lambeau Field to help the Rams secure a win against the Packers at 1:25PM PT.
