It was after 238 days that the long wait for Arizona Cardinals practice squad cornerback Jaden Davis ended. He was named the Pat Tillman Scout Team Player of the Week and wore the No. 40 jersey in practice this week in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Selected last April on the third day of the NFL draft in the seventh round, Davis was taken at pick No. 226, the same slot in which Pat Tillman was chosen by the Cardinals in 1998. Tillman Scholars Deborah Trimble and Jeremy Glasstetter made the announcement live from Detroit at the podium.
Seventeen days after the pick was made, Davis talked to the media at the start of OTAs and said he didn’t know of the Tillman connection until he was on the phone with general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon.
“When I got the call, I was just more in shock,” Davis said then. “Everything’s happening so fast, all the cameras are around me, but once I was able to settle down and actually do some research for myself, I was able to even connect with the Pat Tillman Foundation. (CEO) Katherine Steele, I was able to send a DM to them possibly be more interactive with them just in the future because this is something that’s big.
“I walk in the facility and there’s only one memorial and that’s the one of Pat Tillman. So I knew it was a big deal. Being from south Florida, you heard of Pat Tillman, but it’s not as big as it is when you come out here. You realize who he really is and what he stood for. He really did it on a way bigger scale. I was just shocked and amazed.”
Davis didn’t make the 53-man roster, but was signed to the practice squad where he has been the entire season. He was doubly impressed when he learned of the weekly award that was in place.
He admitted this week, “That was something that was a goal of mine the whole year. That was something that was really important to me just having the honor to wear his jersey.”
As to the fact the award exists, he said, “It’s great by JG, Monti and Mr. Bidwill; something that there they’re really instilling in the program to keep his name in our hearts and on our minds every day. We pass his name every day. He’s the only one that has a statue in the building. He’s the only one that has his jersey up, so that’s the only sign in the building besides ‘Team You.’ So that’s something that’s important for everybody in this building and we just continue to honor his name every day.
“It’s a running thing every week, like, who’s gonna get it? Who’s gonna make the most plays and it’s really in the fast periods. You got to make plays in fast periods. So there’s been a couple weeks where I’m like, might I get it? Should I not get it? But last week, I kind of felt like, ‘OK, I had a really good week so I should get it’ and I had a good idea. So when coach told me I was really happy.”
Noting that he wore the jersey during Christmas week, he said, “It was a big gift. I called my mom. I talked to Katherine at the Pat Tillman Foundation. She just texted me. So it was a big deal for me and hopefully I can continue to spread his story and do things that bring his name in a good light.”
As for the mindset of being on the practice squad and all that entails, Davis said, “I just prepare like a starter each week. Talking to my coaches, meeting extra with my coaches, I just want to be in position to win if my name is called. I’m gonna be ready for it. Guys like Garrett (Williams), Budda (Baker), it’s a great group. They help me out every day and they keep me locked in. So, I’m just preparing like a starter every day and my path is my path.
“It was something I’ve been working towards. I’ve been grinding every day, trying to lock these receivers up. It’s a tall task because we got some great guys on the other side, but I put it really to the other players in my room and the coaches. Really, they helped me. They prepare me every day whether that be for scout team or whether it’s for the two’s reps. So just doing my best every day and competing and that’s all I can do.”
The day after the season ends, teams are able to sign players from the practice squad to future contracts and while Davis said his agent handles that, he hopes to remain with the team.
“Whatever path God leads me on, that’s what I’m gonna follow,” he said. “Hopefully, I’m a Cardinal next year.”
Whatever happens, he plans to become involved with the Pat Tillman Foundation.
He said, “Rookie year is a little bit hectic, but obviously next year and during this offseason, I plan on doing a lot more things with the foundation and just helping out as much as I can. It’s an honor to be picked and God blessed me with that opportunity. So I’m just happy to be here and I’m happy to continue to spread his name.
“I want to do things that honor the foundation whether that be here or back in Florida. I want to spread his word coast to coast. They do different things in different states, different areas. And I just want to add my own little spice to it and my avenues, whether that be the kids in South Florida or whether that be the veterans in the Florida area, just something that I can add to the foundation and add value.”
Finally, Davis reflected on seeing the preserved Tillman locker every day and his own name featured.
He said, “It’s inspirational. Not only was he a good person, but he was a good player. We’re seeing how the whole organization really pours into him. His name is something that’s just amazing. That’s what sports are all about.
“Now your name is right next to his, and that’s the honor in itself. So we’re never gonna be on his level because he made the ultimate sacrifice, but to have my name on the wall next to his name is just something that’s just amazing to me. And I just smile every time I think about it.”
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