Defensive back Josh Metellus showed up to the Minnesota Vikings’ preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens sporting a noteworthy accessory.
It was an autographed college jersey of his Vikings teammate, Jamal Adams, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Adams had only recently signed with the Vikings before suffering the injury, but his impact was already clear and will continue as much as possible.
On Saturday, Metellus paid homage to the three-time Pro Bowler.
Josh Metellus Gets Honest About Jamal Adams
GettyJosh Metellus did not mince words about Jamal Adams.
Adams suffered the non-contact injury during the Vikings’ preseason opener against the New York Giants, and Metellus did not mince words about the significance of the loss.
Adams had been with the Vikings for 18 days before he tore his ACL.
“It was just trying to pay my respects to Jamal Adams,” Metellus said during the fourth quarter of the broadcast of the game. “A guy that we really were excited to add to our team, excited to play with this year. So, I decided to wear his jersey, just to show him a little bit of love.
“It was a bad day, man. This game, man, takes a lot from you, and it doesn’t really like to give, either. So, we take what we get, but it was definitely a tough situation with Jamal.”
Metellus went on to speak about the influence of Vikings defensive coordinator and hyped up undrafted rookie Bangally Kamara as he joined the broadcast for the entire final frame.
But his comments about Adams spoke volumes.
Jamal Adams Made Big Impact in Brief Time
GettyJamal Adams will have a lasting impact on the Vikings.
Despite his short time in the locker room, Adams made his presence felt, and Metellus said that impression will last for him.
“It’s kind of funny, too. We talked about guys who’ve been in the league for a long time,” Metellus said. “This past month, I got some time to spend with Randy Moss as well. And one of the things I got from Randy was about practice habits and you having to love practice. And the minute you don’t love practice more than the game is the minute you start to see your career start to go downhill.
“Fast forward, Jamal comes in, and you can tell off the bat, the way he practiced, the way he showed up to work, and how intentional he was, I think, just rubbed off on me the right way, man. I just love to see that kind of tenacity. That kind of intentionality in a game where we really could just go out here and just ball.”
Metellus continued, “For him to be a guy, this late in his career, and still be able to come into practice hungrier than some of the young guys trying to make the team. To see him go toe to toe with them, it was crazy.
“So, practice habits, for sure. Strict for myself this year, make sure my practice habits are best they can be.”
Metellus is already on the verge of being a Pro Bowler.
Tapping into a key part of what helped Adams reach the heights that he did at his peak could push him over the top, and that would be a bit of a silver lining for the Vikings, who plan to have the veteran contributing with his knowledge as he rehabs.
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