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Tress Way enjoyed his second Pro Bowl season in 2022.
In celebrating with his teammates.he actually cried when he made a toast during that dinner meal. “I am getting soft in my older age, ” expressed Way to Julie Donaldson recently.
Keep in mind that Way is only age 33. Yet with Terry McLaurin being the longest-tenured offensive player, and Jonathan Allen the longest-tenured defensive player, it is Way who has been with Washington the longest. The 2023 season will be Way’s 10th in the NFL, all with Washington, having first played in the NFL in 2014 with the Redskins.
Though Way enjoyed 37 punts inside the 20 last season, he is quick to credit teammates like Jeremy Reaves, whom Way believes “is an incredible special teams player.”
This is one of Tress Way's most ridiculous punts ever. Look at the ball. It almost comes to a stop on its nose. HOW? pic.twitter.com/jSSWfKgjWH
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) November 28, 2022
Way also points to Allen as someone who makes sure Way gets some respect amongst his teammates. “Jon Allen makes sure I have special rights. I don’t actually have them myself, but whenever you have J.A. telling you what is up, everybody listens to him. So yeah, I’m glad I got in good with him… as long as he’s got my back, I have special rights, yes.”
Way points to a significant day in his NFL career coming in 2018 after a win over rival Dallas. Way was upset with himself, having averaged only 40 yards a punt. His wife provided some perspective asking if he played well. Way looked back and realized he had punted six times. Five of them were inside the 20. Four were inside the 10.
Way then told his wife he had played better than he’d realized. She responded, “Just try to make a play, and the numbers will take care of themselves.”
Way told Julie Donaldson, “I kid you not, I have played every game that way since that conversation with her in the kitchen that day. I just try to make a play.”
Later he admitted he knows he makes no plays by himself.
It’s a team game, Way knows it. His humility and humor are the reasons he is liked by so many in the locker room.