DE Myles Garrett (10.27.23)
Myles, what was your motivation for wanting to become a part owner of the Cavs (Cleveland Cavaliers)? Why was this important to you?
“Always loved ball. Still one of the things I will always enjoy, one of the ways I connect with my family, especially the men in my family. And I want to plant deep roots in the city and make this a community that I’m always a part of.”
Ownership opportunities don’t come around all that often, even like small pieces or whatever. The Haslams had to buy in to the (Milwaukee) Bucks. Just how lucky do you feel that you’re able to get a piece of the hometown team and you didn’t have to maybe buy part of a team of the West Coast or something like that?
“I mean took time, but the patience definitely paid off. Have a great relationship with my Dan (Gilbert), his family and other guys of the Cavs. Just part of building a relationship, a genuine connection. And they both understood how much I really loved it and how much these two teams mean to the city and how we could really branch them together.”
As a part owner, are you allowed to sign yourself to the team, even summer league?
“Potentially. There might be something there where I can get a ten day, work my way up.”
Was it always a dream for you when you started this journey to buy stake in a team, knowing how much you love ball?
“Yes, but when I was growing up, I assumed it’d be something I would do, like when I’ll retire. I’d be able to do it then, so for it to present itself this early on in my life and career blessing.”
It’s one thing to show up on the courtside just to take in a game casually here and there. When did you really become a true Cavs fan?
“A true Cavs fan? 2016.”
When they became a front runner?
“Hey, I’ve been a Lebron (James) fan for a long time, so being a Cavs fan was almost pretty natural, except when they played the (Dallas) Mavs at that time. But 2016, I really fell in love with that team and how much they came together and won the ball. And when he left, I still had love for that team and what they were doing in that bond they created.”
Seeing that parade, what do you think LeBron’s parade would be like in Cleveland?
“Like no parade that’s been done in the last four or five years. I think this town would be rocking and shut down for about four or five days.”
Have you had any sort of funny conversations with Jimmy Haslam about the fact that you’re both NBA owners?
“Not yet, but I’m sure I’ll start digging out of here or he’ll get to me first. One way or the other.”
You going to look forward to someday Cavs and Bucks meeting up?
“Absolutely. I mean, they’re going to be a tough team all year and so are we. Glad that we’re together here, but it’s on site whenever it’s NBA season.”
Myles, you mentioned connecting with your family through hoops and especially the men in your family. I can’t think of anybody, but to have your brother be in the NBA as a player and now you have this involvement. What’s he think of all this?
“We don’t talk all the time. We talk consistently, but it’s like you know, kind of spaced out. He texted me. He said, that’s a grown man move.”
Are you prepared for the onslaught of your teammates asking for tickets, gear, whatever?
“We prepared. As soon as the news broke, I was swarmed. So the team get the first two rows right? So got to make something shake and move.”
Are you going to have, like, an assistant going to handle that for you?
“This is out of my hands. This is bigger than me.”
Do you feel like in some ways you’ll have different perspective on a team? Looking at it from a little bit of an ownership standpoint? When you think about everything?
“Yes. But also being able to look at it from a player who’s also currently playing on the ground team. So I have both perspective of insight. It’ll be nice way to challenge myself to balance both and good way to level between the players.”
And do you feel like you are leaving your mark on Cleveland and you’re sort of leaving a bit of a legacy here? Do you envision that someday you’ll be spending a lot of time in Cleveland even when your career is over?
“I mean, I’m not going to sell my house and pack up and leave. I definitely plan to be here for a long time. I’ll start a family here. I’m not just going to rip and run once things are over and I hang up the cleats. Trying to be here, support the Cavs, support the Browns for mighty long time.”
Taking some football questions too?
“Hey, I don’t ask questions.”
So what do you have for encore after that game that Jim Schwartz called a performance for the ages?
“He said that? I don’t know. I was asking him how I can improve on that. But then at the end of the day, he’s like continue to make your teammates better and that’s always the goal and what I’m striving to do because it’s not always going to come together like that. Those kind of games are few and far between. How much you uplift your teammates, you get them involved and help them make plays. Especially like that last play with Z (Za’Darius Smith), getting the strip sack to win the game. Continue to help for your teammates to make those plays all throughout the game. That’s what I look forward to because as much as I want to take over sometimes teams are going to do the best to make sure that can’t happen. So do what I can when the opportunities that come, but make the most of those times I’m getting double, triple team and open it up for those other guys.”
Every year, you and other players talk about getting better. And with what you’ve been able to accomplish early in your career, it’s almost kind of hard to fathom you getting even better. But just the impact that Jim Schwartz has had on you, how has he made you a better player? Maybe not so much from a statistical standpoint, but just as a football player.
“Just simplifying it and kind of leveling with me on what I’m seeing, what I’m doing. He knows I play very instinctually and he loves it. He’s happy with how I attack the game. I attack the line of scrimmage, how I play blocks. He’s like, we’ll play off of you and most of the we got to keep the integrity of the defense. But if you’re going to go there and you’re going to get in the backfield, make the play, we’ll move around you, we’ll adjust. But as long as you hold the edge, you don’t leave any of the other D lineman out to dry, you don’t open up the gaps. We’re going to ride with you. And I’m 100% bought in on everything that he’s called for me and us as D line and defensively.”
You’ve always coveted NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Do you feel like a couple more monster games like that? I mean, those really put you on the map. Do you feel firmly in the conversation of that now? You just gotta just kind of keep it going.
“I don’t get into all that, awards are awards. At the end of the day, we want the big one, the Lombardi. So we got to continue to play together as a team complimentary so we can win that one. Defensive player of the year, that comes down to statistics and sometimes narrative. So you got to play for the love of the game and play for your teammates. All the rest of that will take care of itself.”
When you see Tony (Fields) jump on that fumble you caused, did you think it’s your next touchdown coming?
“It bounced to me and I was falling over, like, bounced it off the ground, and I watched it go away, and I was like, ‘I hope somebody gets it.’ But I was excited that it was just a big play and wasn’t sure who was going to come up with it. But when Tony did, it was a big moment. I’m not mad that I didn’t get it. I love that he’s able to shine himself. He’s able to make a big play and people are able to know his name. He’s able to get some gratification.”
What are your thoughts on Geno (Smith)?
“He’s pretty darn good. He’s calm and he’s very capable. He’s mobile in the pocket. He’s always looking downfield. And if you relapse on him, I think he’s not one of those type guys who gladly going to prove you wrong.”
If you happen to jump off side, are you just gonna keep going now. Jim said that.
“We’re going if I take that step and I’m by the line and I’m not trying to pull my head back and all that, I’m just going to fire off.”
You guys are 4-2, but around Cleveland it seems a little bit more doom and gloom.
“That’s y’all. That’s y’alls fault.”
Do you feel like you’re kind of under the radar in terms of the national state of this team and how good you guys actually are?
“You’re only as good as your last game. We got a W and that’s all that matters. Look forward to going to Seattle and playing as hard as we can to secure another W. It’s all doom and gloom until you get another win. So keep on abating those negative comments and opinions by winning on the road and winning the division and right now we have a chance to go out to Seattle and win a big one.”
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