“So It’s Like, Damn. I’m On The Plane Crying”
November 13th, 2021Revealing, heartfelt talk from Playoff Lenny on Richard Sherman’s podcast this week.
Sherman, if you don’t know, has a weekly podcast where he often interviews NFL players. This was one of the few times Sherman had a Bucs teammate on. It was Playoff Lenny and Playoff Lenny was very real.
Playoff Lenny also showed off his personality, which sort of opened a door to why he’s a popular teammate. He’s is a big-time video gamer, which he says gives him a needed mental break each day from the rigors of football.
Playoff Lenny was explaining his ups and downs in football going back to his high school days in New Orleans. Then Playoff Lenny retold the story about the time he was frustrated with a lack of snaps with the Bucs last year and confronted Bucco Bruce Arians.
What Joe didn’t know was apparently this happened on the team plane (but exactly when, Playoff Lenny didn’t mention). And Playoff Lenny confessed he was so frustrated and angry that he was in tears after butting heads with Arians.
The outcome, just as Arians predicted to him, has changed his life, Playoff Lenny said.
“My mind just couldn’t handle it,” Playoff Lenny said about being a backup. “I guess everybody saw the story about me and BA got into it on the plane and all this other stuff.
“This was not just a business decision. This was a family decision. Like my family eats off this game I play. I provide for them. So it’s like, damn. I’m on the plane crying. [Arians] said ‘You let me know what you want to do. I don’t want to let you go but if that’s what you want to do, hey I will do it for you.’ But at that moment, this is when you have to suck up your pride.”
Playoff Lenny said if he asked Arians for his release just a couple of months after the Jags cut him, then he likely would have branded himself a malcontent to the rest of the league, which could have killed his career.
“I may not ever get another chance,” Playoff Lenny said. “That’s just the reality of it.”
Of course, Playoff Lenny, as Arians predicted, got his chance and made the most of it. Instead of being labeled a malcontent, Playoff Lenny is now known as a champion and no one can ever take that away from him.
“At the end, it wound up being one of the biggest blessings for me. … Playoff Lenny came. I earned a respect level from my teammates that no one will understand.”
That’s just a way cool story and also shows just how frustrated Playoff Lenny was. He couldn’t hold it in any longer and locked horns with Arians on the team plane.
And Playoff Lenny is right. He will forever be known as “Super Bowl champion Leonard Fournette,” which will open doors for him yet unknown for years to come.
Another element of the podcast was interesting, Joe doesn’t know what to read into it. Sherman’s co-host is Mitchell Eisenstein, who is also Sherman’s marketing agent.
In a segment sponsored by a daily fantasy outfit, the two pick players they believe will blow up each weekend. Eisenstein selected Chris Godwin.
Now Arians said on Friday that Godwin might be a game-time decision on Sunday and Arians would know more Saturday about how Godwin’s foot is recovering from being tackled in the loss to the slimy Saints.
At no point in the discussion did Sherman tell his marketing agent to hold up and think twice before selecting Godwin because he’s hurt and may not play. It seems safe to assume that Sherman didn’t tell this to Eisenstein “off the air,” either.
What do these two know about Godwin’s status that unknown by the public? Or is this just some premeditated, public ruse set up by Sherman for WTF to think Godwin will start?
Enjoy The Ira Kaufman Podcast. Episode 2 Of This Week.
November 13th, 2021 at 7:00 am
Playoff Lenny is a winner.
November 13th, 2021 at 7:00 am
What a great story! If Chris Godwin does not play, don’t be surprised to see Perriman, especially with Scotty Miller down too.
November 13th, 2021 at 7:12 am
That was a fun read. It’s amazing how much one decision can change your entire trajectory.
November 13th, 2021 at 7:14 am
Playoff Lenny’s conversation with BA on the team plane was his moment to let it either defeat him or define him. We all know the story how he chose to let this moment define him.
Championships are won by good character…
November 13th, 2021 at 7:19 am
I’d better put Tyler Johnson on my fantasy team. What’s up Chris! We know each other from UAMCC
November 13th, 2021 at 7:35 am
That’s great for Lenny and he has lived up to the opportunity. On the other hand at the same time Rojo’s career was tanked and his confidence was shattered. Nice job BA, I still believe Rojo has a better upside than Lenny.
November 13th, 2021 at 7:46 am
speaking of Lenny crying; I remember just a few yrs ago seeing Lenny crying on the sideline and wearing a Jax uniform. Why? Tom Brady just had one of his patented comeback wins and sent the Jax packing hahahahaha
November 13th, 2021 at 7:49 am
I wish I had $1,000 for every heart Tompa had broken in his long career, (that’s players not teams), I would be filthy rich.
November 13th, 2021 at 8:02 am
You have too love a guy that wants to play. It’s a team game, “”gotta be ready” when your number is called. Good for you Lenny, glad you stayed. Now let’s win another. GO BUCS!
November 13th, 2021 at 8:10 am
Eddie, doesn’t sound team like more like it’s all about me like. I think he is great but if he is overshadowed he seems to shut down.
November 13th, 2021 at 8:49 am
Godwin is a warrior
IF he can play he WILL play
November 13th, 2021 at 9:08 am
You have to give BA some credit for the way he handled Lenny……truly good HCs are strong with personnel.
November 13th, 2021 at 9:15 am
We had just better Pray..Brady stays erect. He’s only one big hit away from retirement. And if you even think..our backups at QB can get us to a superbowl? I want to know whats in that bowl..you been smokin (LOL) And our Defense has got to step it up the 2nd half. We will not get to the finals unless they play better.
Fans have no idea how hard it is to repeat. None whatsoever.
November 13th, 2021 at 10:47 am
play some limited Godwin
November 13th, 2021 at 11:23 am
Don’t think that Godwin needs to play tomorrow.
November 13th, 2021 at 12:26 pm
@ATLBuc
Yes, hello!
November 13th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Good dude just wanting recognition nothing wrong with that.
November 14th, 2021 at 5:31 am
He’s hell when he’s well and he rarely gets sick 😉