Haason Reddick, Larry Foote Demonstrate Why Football Is About Relationships
March 16th, 2025
Reuniting with Bucs OLB coach Larry Foote brings a smile to Haason Reddick’s face.
Joe has heard this cliché many times and Joe used to think it only applied to coaching.
And yeah, maybe it does apply to coaching. But it seems, at least for new Bucs edge rusher Haason Reddick, his relationship with Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote was a key reason why Reddick chose Tampa Bay.
Football is about relationships.
Reddick and Foote first crossed paths in Arizona. They reunite in Tampa Bay.
When Reddick was a first-round pick of Arizona in 2017, Foote was the Cardinals’ inside linebackers coach. And right away, to hear Foote talk on Friday, the Cardinals made a mistake with Reddick.
The rookie edge rusher was moved to inside linebacker, a position he had never played.
Joe asked Foote about this Friday and Foote said someone higher up the food chain than him saw Reddick “was a freak” playing off-the-ball linebacker during Senior Bowl practices. The Cardinals thought they had a monster on their hands and moved Reddick inside.
“It’s a big factor, you know, the connection, just how he helped me grow as a player, as a young player out in Arizona,” Reddick said of his reunion with Foote. “You know, the time, the attention that he took to make sure — he understood my situation, right? A kid coming into the league who’s never played inside linebacker before, somebody who was able to do it the way he did it in his career, he understood that.
“[Foote’s] effort, his approach, everything that he gave me. A lot of that stuff stuck with me and allowed me to continue to grow as a player moving forward.
“So to reconnect with him, maybe it will be me teaching him some things this time around — nah! (Laughs)”
After Reddick went to the Eagles — by that time Foote was coaching in Tampa — whenever the Eagles and Bucs played, Foote found Reddick and made sure everything was good with him personally and professionally.
Those gestures deepened Reddick’s appreciation.
“It’s great to be back around with [Foote],” Reddick said. “I’ve always loved his energy, even when we got to play against him. No matter where he was coaching, he always had the time and was excited to see me.
“[Foote] made sure they we would talk. He’d ask me about my family, things [like] that. We always kept the connection. So it is great to be back [with Foote].”
So football is sometimes about relationships with players. When the Bucs were trying to recruit Reddick, the Bucs already had a built-in advantage. A relationship advantage.
March 16th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Relationships matter. Exhibit 1: Godwin taking less money…a lot less money.
March 16th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Life is about relationships! Can apply it to every aspect in professional and personal situations.
March 16th, 2025 at 8:14 am
So – how you treat people in day to day life matters…. good to know….
March 16th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Licht has built the best franchise in the league
The redskins stole our secret.
1. Draft guys who love football
2. Only draft men of high character
March 16th, 2025 at 8:51 am
It took a new owner in Washington to pull that off.
We have to give some credit to Foote for the signing of Reddick… at least his desire to sign with us over other teams. If he turns out to be a beast this year, then Foote should probably get a lot of credit.
Our culture is also a big piece of that. Go Licht, go Bucs!!!
March 16th, 2025 at 8:57 am
“Well, it’s like I always say: Love goes out the door when money comes innuendo.” – Groucho Marx
March 16th, 2025 at 8:57 am
I do believe the Bucs organization has become a family over the years since Jason licht has been in control I remember when Bruce Allen was the manager that man was a back stabbing SOB and it showed. It got a little better with Mark Dominik but that man unfortunately had no idea what he was doing as a manager. Licht cam in and changed everything, it took a few years but I’m happy as a fan with the players wanting to stay here and build something great. I’ve got faith that Hasson Reddick will have a big year with us. I am surprised that we signed him though but I remember when Licht got JPP I was completely surprised by that also.
March 16th, 2025 at 9:23 am
I’m still cautious but much more optimistic after reading this.
Hassan’s holdout last year still has me spooked just a bit. We don’t need that kind of negativity in our locker room.
But, it’s clear Hassan has respect for, and likes Larry Foote.
I’m hoping that’ll help keep him on track this year.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Awesome.
Just awesome.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:44 am
If Todd was dc at that time you think he was the hire up that said move him to the edge ? Back up question why didn’t we do this to Devin white and switch jts to ilb ? Ehh this is a hire up question …. JOE ANSWER LOL
March 16th, 2025 at 11:47 am
Great post here Joe!, telling us all this stuff we never would of known, giving us an inside. Love this, will focus on Reddick and Foote next season more. Good stuff here.