TREVOR LAWRENCE INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE
FRIDAY, APRIL 30
SHAD KHAN: (On how it feels to have QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne here in Jacksonville) “Well, obviously, I’m really excited for the city of Jacksonville and all of the Jaguars fans. You know, it’s kind of a combination of great.”
TREVOR LAWRENCE: (On his favorite play of RB Travis Etienne and what makes him a great teammate) “Oh there’s a lot. Obviously, we played together for three years. There’s a whole lot of memories and he made a ton of plays. I hate to say it in front of Coach [Meyer], but he had two plays against Ohio State that were pretty special. So, got a little ‘dub’ pass to him and then threw a screen to him—what like 50 yards. So, he’s just special. Not only as a player, but as person. So, I’m just really glad I get to have a former teammate come along with me on this new journey.”
LAWRENCE: (On what helps him handle the pressure throughout his career) “Just being inside out, continuing to be me, and just taking everything I’ve learned, and who I am and just taking it here. Not changing anything, really, just because I’m in a new place. I think that’s why I’m here and that’s why all these guys put some trust in me—is just to be who I am. So, obviously, there’s a lot of things I’ve got to get better at and I’ve got to continue to improve, but the plan is just to keep being me and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
LAWRENCE: (On whether there was a point when he realized that he doesn’t get rattled under pressure) “There’s no specific point. I think anyone that’s a true competitor kind of thrives off of that and loves it. That’s when it’s fun, when it’s—I guess that last moment whatever it all comes down to one point. It’s kind of like, that’s what you play for. So, I’ve always loved that ever since I’ve played, it’s always been flying out. I’ve always loved to compete, no matter what it is. Practice, game, anything, I’ve always loved to compete.”
KHAN: (On balancing patience with everything they’re building with wanting results) “I think that’s what I’ve loved about Urban Meyer, that he understands the big picture. A sense of urgency but also keeping the big picture in mind. So, and I think as you see with the great player sitting here, he’s put his Buckeye card at jeopardy to really help win for the Jaguars.”
URBAN MEYER: (On balancing patience with everything they’re building with wanting results) “Well, the way I’ve always looked at everything is—at the moment whoever gives us the best chance to win is going to be playing, if that’s your question. And that’s every position at that moment who gives us the best chance to win and that there is an incredible amount of urgency. I told our players that, all due respect, the four-, five-, six-year plans, that’s not that plan at all. The plan is to try to do the very best to win. Every time we line up, we try to win.”
KHAN: (On how this year might feel different with how he has set up the staff and the players) “Yeah, Mark, this time, I got it right, okay? I talked about the process here, seriously, over the last few months. How—really I talked to you on Zoom the other day, at length—that how things have been approached. And you know, for me, it’s like as the owner you’re sitting on that knife edge of micromanagement and abdication. How do you strike that balance? And so, learning from experience. But starting off, we have the opportunity go with winners and then let them build.”
LAWRENCE: (On whether he was able to work out today like he and Coach Meyer discussed on the phone last night) “I’ve been walking around a lot; does that count as a leg workout? No, I’ll get back to that quick, he’s on me about it, so.”
LAWRENCE: (On his emotions when he found out teammate RB Travis Etienne was the No. 25 draft pick) “I honestly was not expecting it at all. And we had been celebrating and hanging out and taking pictures and doing everything, so we weren’t even really watching the draft. And then we knew we were picking at No. 25, so we started watching around No. 20. I had no idea who we were going to take and then I got a text right before it went on TV, ‘We’re picking Travis.’ So, I was like, ‘I didn’t even know we were taking a running back.’ It was awesome. So, like I said it just makes it special. I’ve got someone to come with me from Clemson and it’s just awesome.”
LAWRENCE: (On his involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement and whether he plans to be a part of the equality movement here in Jacksonville) “Something that has always been important to me is just showing the people around me that I care about them and love them. And that was just one way I could do that. To be honest, right now my focus is just getting to Jacksonville, doing everything I can to prepare to be the best player I can be. I think with that and when you earn the respect of your teammates and you earn that leadership role, some of that stuff comes along with it. But right now, my main focus is just getting ready to be the best I can be on the field and just everything else will follow.”
LAWRENCE: (On how he decides when to use his platform and when to speak out) “I think it just depends on certain moments where you feel like you want to stand up for something or whatever that is. But then also, I think you never know what people are going to take out of context. That happens without me controlling it. So, it’s one of those two things usually.”
LAWRENCE: (On the number of text messages he received last night versus the amount after his National Championship win) “All the big moments that have happened the past few weeks, getting married, now getting drafted, [there’s] a lot of text messages I still need to respond to, probably a couple hundred. I actually had to change my number after the National Championship, so it’s been a better experience so far than that was. It’s been great, just cool to see all the support from family and friends from back home. Especially here, we got here and there’s a bunch of third graders outside the stadium waiting. It’s just been really cool.”
LAWRENCE: (On if he has had the time to respond to all the text messages of support) “That’s a hard question. I really don’t know, we’ll see. Obviously, the people in my life that I care about, they know I care about them. Text messages won’t change that, so we’ll see. That’s not really my priority right now. I think everyone understands that.”
KHAN: (On an update on the game in London for the 2021 season) “I think really there’s no update. I think as soon as we have it, we’ll share with you. I’m not even sure if there’ll be games [in London], but May 12 is the schedule [release day]. Hopefully we’ll know a little bit before that.”
MEYER: (On what the phrase ‘own it’ means to him and the organization) “I think there’s a great difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is unsustainable, not for long. Inspiration is [for long] and there’s two elements of inspiration, that’s love and ownership. When people own things, my experiences are, you’re really good. It means it’s yours. We want people, including everybody that steps foot in this facility that works here, they need to own this. They need to own that Jaguar emblem. If they don’t, they need to leave. It’s the same approach we’re going to take with our players. This is not a one stop [where] we’re going to rent the place for a few months and move on. That doesn’t go well. So, the sense of ownership is I expect Travis [Etienne], I expect Trevor [Lawrence] to own the Jaguars. What’s that mean? It’s theirs, take great pride in what this organization will stand for as we move forward. So that’s what it means. That’s from our video staff to coaching staff to players, everyone has to own this, and great things happen when people own things.”
TRENT BAALKE: (On his plan for going into the second round today) “Well, the good thing is having the first pick. We have a very good idea [of who we’re picking]. But when we left last night, we felt very good about where we were at and coming into today with who’s left on the board, how we’re positioned, where we’re positioned. We feel really good about how this day could go. Now, we just trust the board, like I said last night. I think we’re at peace with where we’re at on the board. We’ll see how it plays out.”
LAWRENCE: (On what made Jacksonville feel like the right fit for him) “I think obviously because all these guys up here, the whole coaching staff that I’ve gotten a chance to talk a little bit with, and then the community, all of those things. It’s kind of close to home which obviously nice. It’s just a bonus. Obviously, you don’t know a place until you get there, and it’s been special since I’ve been here today, so [I’m] really excited to learn more about it and really be a part of the community and just to go to work. I’m excited that I’m here and I’m officially a part of a team now. It’s kind of a weird period going from you’re on a team your whole life and you have this period before the draft, where you’re kind of just working to get better, but you’re not a part of the team and I miss that, so [I’m] just excited for that.”
LAWRENCE: (On his first day in Jacksonville as a Jaguar) “It’s been great. That’s kind of an interesting question, but it’s been awesome. Everyone here’s great. Like I said, the whole coaching staff, Mr. Khan, Mr. Baalke, everybody’s been awesome and I’m just excited to go to work. We’re going to make it home, but it feels like home and that’s the plan. We’re going to get settled in quick.”
LAWRENCE: (On whether he’s been to Jacksonville before today) “First time. It’s great. It’s pretty warm down here so that was nice. It’s awesome. Like I said, I’m not really accustomed to a big city, I grew up in a small town, Clemson’s a small town. Jacksonville’s technically is a big city land-wise, but it’s nice coming here. It’s kind of familiar in a way, just size-wise and kind of what I’m used to, so it’s cool.”
LAWRENCE: (On his timeline and an update on his health) “Health-wise, I’m feeling really good. I don’t know what percentage I’d be, I don’t even know how to gauge that, but I’m on track. I’m actually a little ahead of schedule, so I’m expecting to be back whenever we get started. [I’m] really ready for that, like I said, to be a part of a team again. As far as the logistics of getting here and all that stuff, I haven’t figured it out exactly yet, have to find a spot to stay in first. I’m trying to figure that out. Obviously, there’s a lot of moving parts, but no matter where I’m at, I’m going to start working out here Monday and get back to my normal routine.”
