theplayerstribune.com: Thank You, Washington

[TK]

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/taylor-heinicke-nfl-football-washington-commanders

 

Aaron M. Sprecher via AP

 

 

Before I got the call to come to Washington a few years ago, I thought I was pretty much done playing football.

 

Covid was just starting to take hold, and I was in the XFL, with no real job prospects bubbling up in the NFL. So in my mind it was like: You know what, this might be it for you. I was actually trying to become a coach at that point, because I didn’t know what else I’d do after retiring from football.

 

I knew the OC in Washington at the time, Scott Turner. He was someone who believed in me from the beginning of my career, so I called him up and asked if he knew of any coaching opportunities. He talked to me about finishing my degree, and what steps I’d need to take to go the coaching route. And then, right before we got off the phone, he paused for a second and said: “Listen, man … maybe don’t hang up the cleats just yet. Covid is changing everything. And you never know in this league.”

 

I hung up and was like, Hmmm.

 

I went back home, lived at my sister’s place for a while, took some classes online at ODU, and, before I knew it, I got the call to come to Washington as an emergency quarterback. Then, four weeks later, after a bunch of unexpected twists, Coach Rivera sits me down and tells me I’m going to be starting at QB against the Bucs. Like, are you kidding me? A month removed from sleeping on my sister’s couch and typing up term papers — and now I’m starting an NFL playoff game against Tom Brady, the GOAT.

 

So much for retirement, right?

 

 

Julio Cortez/AP

 

Before I ran out of the tunnel for that game, I remember looking out at the field, and then up into the stands … and just thinking about my whole journey. Undersized, under-recruited, undrafted, five different NFL teams, practice squads, waiver claims, the XFL, the whole thing. I remember shaking my head, almost in disbelief. And then just telling myself — excuse my language — F*** it! Let’s Go!!!!! It was basically just like, Let’s sling it today, man. Leave it all out there on the field. Have the time of your life and show everyone what you’re made of.

 

That day, I gotta say, even though the end result wasn’t what we all wanted … it was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a football field. (And I’ve had a lot of fun playing football over the years.) Just grinding and battling and using every last bit of energy I had to try and get us that win.

 

And I’ll tell you something that maybe I shouldn’t … but whatever. Right around the middle of the third quarter, when we’d made it a one-possession game and were moving the ball pretty good, there was this moment on the sidelines where … I mean I’m a human being, right? So for a second, I couldn’t help but have it creep into my brain like … Man, Taylor, you’re playing a nice game here. This might buy you a couple more years in the league.

 

Then I would sit down on the bench, and I’d do everything I could to erase that thought from my mind. Every time it’d pop in there I’d be like, Nah! You know what would be even better? If we got this done and beat the GOAT.

 

I just kept thinking, like, This is waaaaaay bigger than just you.

 

And, honestly, during my time in Washington, that was one of the main things that I kept coming back to again and again: how fortunate I was to land on a team with a fan base like this one — and in a city that loves football as much as you all.

 

 

 

Via Washington Commanders

 

Look, I’m not gonna lie: It’s heartbreaking to be leaving. I’m getting emotional just sitting here thinking about it. This team, and the people of Washington, I just cannot thank you guys enough for the support and encouragement you showed me.

It might seem like a little thing, but there’s this one moment from that last home game against Dallas this past year that will stick with me forever. Sam got the start in that one and led us to a win. I didn’t get into the game, but I’ll never forget, after it ended, I was taking a moment on the field to let it all sink in since I knew it might be my last game in Washington, and I saw this guy in the stands holding up a sign. Super simple. Nothing fancy. It said, “THANK YOU TAYLOR H!”

 

Seeing that sign, I basically lost it right then and there. The tears started flowing. That sign just brought back all the memories of what I’d gone through over the years — all the hard work, the doubters, just … everything. And it helped me realize that people saw me. They saw me work and grind and fight for this team, for this city. It was like … They get me. They get what I’m all about.

 

 

 

Alex Brandon/AP

 

 

So I felt like it wouldn’t be right to leave without telling you all how much you’ve meant to me. I’m truly grateful for everything this fan base has given me these last few years. Thank you for embracing me and supporting me while I live out my dream.

 

And I do want to give a special thanks to Coach Rivera. Obviously the end of the road for me in Washington was a little bit rocky, with how it all went down, but I want everyone to know that there’s no hard feelings. I’m very grateful for the opportunities Coach Rivera gave me over the years. For him trusting me and believing in me again and again. And the fact that he and the coaching staff and my teammates and the fans and everyone else in Washington accepted me with open arms … that means the world to me. Because that stuff wasn’t a given, by any stretch of the imagination.

 

Nothing is ever a given when you’re talking about someone like me. 

I know who I am. I don’t have the strongest arm. I throw a decent amount of picks. I do some dumb stuff sometimes out there. I cop to all that. It’s true. But I also fight like hell. And I know how to get W’s. So, at the end of the day, I hope that I still gave you all something to cheer for. And if you look at the team over the last couple of years, I hope that in my own way I still left my mark. I think you saw a group that was out there doing what I always want to be doing: battling and grinding. Whether it was going up to Philly on a Monday night and taking down an undefeated team, or going toe-to-toe with Brady in that playoff game, or scratching and clawing to try and get into the playoffs …  we were a group that never stopped fighting, and never settled or threw in the towel. I’m proud of that. All of that stuff mattered to me.

And when people look back on my time in Washington, I hope that’s what they remember most.

 

[KillBill26]

Might not be the best QB, but the Taylor Heinicke chapter was a pretty interesting one for the franchise. Great story.  Maybe a 30 for 30 one day (the cover photo has him drinking beer out of the helmet I'm calling it right now). I wish him all the success in the world, except when he is playing us.

[madden lot]

I put a lol emoji just to keep my eyes from tearing up.

Edited March 23, 2023 by madden lot

[dc1]

@TK

Glad this was posted.  Great closer for TH, the DMV and the forum.

[COWBOY-KILLA-]

It was a fun ride and I appreciate what he did for us. Wish him nothing but good things.

[Commander Chaaarmnder]

Heck of a dude.  I feel like that letter was a girlfriend breaking up with me.  
 

This part of Redskins, Washington, commanders, whatever the heck we are will go down as one of the most tumultuous periods for a team.  TH was here for that, and gave us hope.  For a dude that was sleeping on a couch weeks before starting a playoff game, that’s pretty cool.

[CapsSkins]

Thank you, Taylor. Best of luck this season, except whichever week we come down to Atlanta this season. I hope you never ever buy a pair of burgundy and gold Jordan's. 🙂 

[Professor_Nutter_Butter]

I will forever have my Legend of Taylor Heinicke shirt, and wear it proud. That said, kick rocks.

[Chump Bailey]

Classy move. Good luck TH!

[Bifflog]

There's been a lot of (and will probably continue to be) words written about the "QB situation" on this board, but there's really only one appropriate way to respond to this...

 

Edited March 23, 2023 by Bifflog

[redskinss]

As I read the article my first thought is, he's got to be reading the threads here.

The details of our opinions on him are spelled out pretty accurately, from the way he played totally fearlessly in the bucs game and how it kept creeping in to his head that he may get another opportunity, many here took that to be why he didn't play with reckless abandon anymore and it seemed like that was his way of confirming that.

Then there's the admittance of a weak arm and tendency to throw picks, which was the biggest criticism around here.

The whole thing felt like a personal summation to the quarterback thread from the last couple years.

He's definitely a down to earth humble guy who's impossible not to want to cheer for and see have success.

[Warhead36]

Two seasons in a row he came in for an injured starter and at least helped keep the season alive. Gotta appreciate that.

[method man]

He made watching this team a lot more fun when he was in. My personal top 3 for him:

 

1) The pylon dive in the playoff game

2) The bomb to Terry in Indy this year

3) The gamewinner to McKissic vs Atlanta in 2021

[Die Hard]

Sounds like a really good dude. I appreciate the acknowledgment.

[Simmsy]

9 hours ago, method man said:

He made watching this team a lot more fun when he was in. My personal top 3 for him:

 

1) The pylon dive in the playoff game

2) The bomb to Terry in Indy this year

3) The gamewinner to McKissic vs Atlanta in 2021

 

Touchdown pass to Seals-Jones against the Giants (you know the one!)

 

I'll be rooting for TH...unless he gets in our way!

[method man]

16 minutes ago, Simmsy said:

 

Touchdown pass to Seals-Jones against the Giants (you know the one!)

 

I'll be rooting for TH...unless he gets in our way!

Yep. Wasn’t the catch probability on that play something like 10%?

[Califan007 The Constipated]

 

I've always said that the #1 most important job of the backup QB is to keep the season from being derailed while the starter is out. Unfortunately, our starters the last two years were out for way longer than 3-4 weeks...so Heinicke's job description this past season--and the season before--went from "just keep the season from being derailed," to "post a winning record and lead the team to the playoffs." Have only been a handful of QBs around here over the last 23 years who have been able to do that.

 

So I always appreciated what he did bring to the field and to the team, and for doing what was needed for the team to get whatever wins they got with him behind center. For some reason I don't find myself feeling the desire to wish him luck lol...not sure why, but I don't. I don't wish him bad luck, either, though. It's almost like I know he'll be fine. But I do--and always will--appreciate his time here and his effort and how he helped make the last two seasons not just bearable, but enjoyable.

 

There are a LOT of ex-NFL/XFL/college QBs who would give anything to be in your shoes, my dude...

 

[Conn]

15 hours ago, redskinss said:

As I read the article my first thought is, he's got to be reading the threads here.

The details of our opinions on him are spelled out pretty accurately, from the way he played totally fearlessly in the bucs game and how it kept creeping in to his head that he may get another opportunity, many here took that to be why he didn't play with reckless abandon anymore and it seemed like that was his way of confirming that.

Then there's the admittance of a weak arm and tendency to throw picks, which was the biggest criticism around here.

The whole thing felt like a personal summation to the quarterback thread from the last couple years.

He's definitely a down to earth humble guy who's impossible not to want to cheer for and see have success.

I couldn’t help but think similarly—if one of the insufferable dorks here fed that thread to ChatGPT and asked it to spit out Heinicke’s emotional goodbye letter, this is what would come out of it. Bang on. Which I think just proves what many said—that Heinicke was self-aware and more honest about himself than some fans. It was a good read. I’m sure he will live on in the memories of many fans of this unfortunate era of Washington football as one of the bright spots. 

Edited March 24, 2023 by Conn

[Simmsy]

8 hours ago, method man said:

Yep. Wasn’t the catch probability on that play something like 10%?

 

I believe someone said it was like 13% or something. I was pretty sure we were going to lose that game. I think I hate the Giants more right now more than the Eagles or Cowboys.

[NewCliche21]

Just seeing this. What an incredibly classy way to head out.

He provided the brightest spots in a very dark era, and I'll always be grateful for that. I'm glad that we had him on the team, and I wish him well as long as it benefits us.

[dunfer]

 

You got the heart kid

[clskinsfan]

Glad I got a chance to read this. TH, as he admitted himself, isnt a starter level QB in this league. But he gave everything he had on every single snap. It is tough. Because true HOF QB's have TH's attitude and guts while being blessed with god given talent. So many have that god given talent yet never come close to scratching the surface of things Heineke has. I wish the man all the best. And I am happy for him that he has been able to set up his financial future for life off of his gutty play alone.

[Renegade7]

On 3/23/2023 at 9:52 AM, Warhead36 said:

Two seasons in a row he came in for an injured starter and at least helped keep the season alive. Gotta appreciate that.

 

As a backup QB, he did his job...seasons are supposed to be over when the starting QB goes down for huge stretches or an entire season...

 

I don't want to go any further then that here, great piece by him and not surprised at all he wrote it...

 

[El Mexican]

Class act.

 

Despite the hate the man received from some posters around here you can't argue with him being a fighter. He certainly kept the fanbase interested in the actual play of the team during these pathetic years by our FO.

[NewCliche21]

2 hours ago, Renegade7 said:

 

As a backup QB, he did his job...seasons are supposed to be over when the starting QB goes down for huge stretches or an entire season...

 

I don't want to go any further then that here, great piece by him and not surprised at all he wrote it...

 

 

I'm surprised he wrote it, that was really eloquent.