Commanders RB Austin Ekeler: 'I 100 Percent Represent the Underdogs'
The Washington Commanders know a thing or two about being counted out.
Nobody thought the Commanders would compete against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL Playoffs, but they nearly eliminated that same team in the Wild Card Round.
Underdog quarterback Taylor Heinicke once had the entire city chanting his name as he brought a fighting style to Washington football they hadn't seen in a while.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs the ball against Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Christopher Hinton (91) and linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
For running back Austin Ekeler now, as he comes into a hero's welcome and is expected to elevate his underrated club, he's not re-energized by the move because he's never lost that underdog mentality that's fueled him from the very beginning.
"I would say it just energizes me. It's what has given me energy for as long as I've been in the league," Ekeler says. "I've had everything to prove every single year and especially my first year as a rookie undrafted wearing number three, running down on punt and kickoff, and (I've) really been able to build up a reputation for myself by embracing the role that I had at the time and doing it so well that they wanted to give me more responsibility...So I 100 percent represent the underdogs out there and the people that are always trying to continue to build themselves up into a role where they see themselves but maybe aren't there yet."
The Commanders have made a lot of moves, agreeing to 18 new contracts this offseason, and only three of those going to in-house free agents.
That's 15 new faces, replacing ones that are departing or have since joined new clubs, and even more to come with nine picks in the upcoming NFL Draft and around 15 more roster spots to fill before camps begin this Spring.
Still, even with the turnover, and an exciting new coaching staff that appears to be an All-Star cast of leadership and determination, Washington is likely going to be thought of as the worst club in the NFC East Division. At best, they might jump over the New York Giants depending on how the experts view that roster.
Having guys like Ekeler, guys who know how to win when nobody thinks you can, will be valuable in a season like this one.
Not just because he can win on the field, but because he knows how to win at life.
"It's bigger than football," Ekeler continued. "It goes into life in general where people are trying to move themselves forward and it is tough and you don't always have the best circumstances, but guess what? There's people like myself that have been examples of not having the best circumstances, but still finding a way. And I just encourage other people to try to do the same."
