Derek Stingly Jr. Admits He Doesnt 'Know How to Trash Talk'

Houston Texans standout Derek Stingley Jr. has emerged as one of the top up-and-coming cornerbacks in the NFL, but he won't tell anyone else that.
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It hasn't been the easiest road for Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to start his NFL career. 

His first season was cut short with an injury, with the 22-year-old playing in just nine games. This season, he missed six weeks, including the entire month of October with a hamstring issue.

However, since his return in November, Stingley has been fantastic with four interceptions and 10 passes defended and emerging as one of the top young corners in the game.

derek stingley jr 22
© Troy Taormina, USA TODAY

And with that kind of success, one would think that a little bit of fun trash talk could be in order from time to time for his opponents. 

However, according to Stingley, that's just not in his DNA.

"I don't really know how to trash-talk," Stingley told ESPN this week. "I wouldn't want to be like that. That's way outside (his personality). It's the polar opposite."

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Stingley admits that he has watched other players at his position - some of whom are very adept at the art of trash-talking - and has had some ideas. 

But at the end of the day, he just likes to keep it simple and do things his own way.

"When I see them [celebrate], I think, 'Ah yeah, that looks good,'" Stingley told ESPN. "Then I try to do it, and it doesn't look the same. So I just try something simple."

Maybe if Stingley can manage to snag his fifth interception in his last six games against the Joe Flacco-led Cleveland Browns on Sunday, that could change. 

But given Stingley's humble nature, we wouldn't count on it. 


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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com