Patriots 2.0? Not so fast… OBJ clarifies his earlier remarks
Odell Beckham Jr. posted a message on his Instagram story clarifying remarks he made in a GQ interview about the Browns becoming the new Patriots.
Odell Beckham Jr. draws the media to him like moths to the flame. Everywhere he goes, everything he does, everything he says; it all seems to be magnified under the spotlight of public curiosity and scrutiny. It’s what comes with the territory when you combine highlight-reel circus catches and incredible athletic ability with a polarizing personality and a penchant for theatrics off the field and in interviews.
Fresh off getting shipped to the new-look Cleveland Browns, OBJ sat down for an interview with GQ magazine and made headlines when he said he planned to help turn the Browns into “the new Patriots.” He also likened his new quarterback, Baker Mayfield, to Brett Favre, and generally fed kindling and fuel to the ever-growing bonfire of hype surrounding Cleveland’s football team in 2019.
On Thursday, he appeared to backtrack on some of his comments… or at the very least to modify them just a bit.
“Just to clarify, I will always aspire to be great,” Beckham Jr. wrote in a message posted to his Instagram story. “I haven’t reached that point in the NFL but that’s what we all chase and I’m going to continue to work to help the Browns become great. Never meant the Browns are the new Patriots or going to be the new Patriots. I just have great respect for what they’ve done but definitely recognize the work that has to be done to get there.”
It’s an encouraging sign to see a player own up to a quote that may have gotten a bit overblown and misinterpreted, especially when that player is as outspoken and histrionic as Beckham can be at times. Perhaps it’s an early indication that the talented but troubled wide receiver superstar is starting to mature – or at the very least, he’s learning the importance of his words when he speaks to the media.
"“There is nothing wrong with having aspirations, and who wouldn’t aspire to be part of an organization that is 12-4, 11-5 and in the playoffs and playing for Super Bowls on the regular. It’s really stating the obvious when you say you want your organization to be successful like the Patriots. I know my teammates want to be a part of building something like that, (head coach) Freddie Kitchens and (GM) John Dorsey are doing everything they can to get us there. Understand it doesn’t happen without work and we’re all committed to that. Our work will determine what the Browns become. I’m content with that because I know we control the amount of work we put in. I will keep working, working towards building something great!”"
dark. Next. What does Jared Veldheer bring to the Patriots?
Beckham Jr.’s Browns will face the Patriots on October 27 in Foxborough this season.