Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart
January 7, 2015
(On coming back home) Yeah, it should be pretty fun, definitely a good experience especially with the
playoffs – being able to play back in my home state.
(On if a lot of his family will be at the game) A lot of friends and stuff like that. My family is originally
from Georgia but I still have a lot of close friends and of course, that’s where I’m from – born and raised
so a lot of connections still there.
(On how many tickets he was able to get) Ten.
(On why the running game is working now in ways it hasn’t before) I think now, you have a group of
guys that’s played more games together as a unit consistently. It builds chemistry and a better awareness
of what the guy next to you is going to do. It created a rhythm for our offensive line. Cam [Newton] being
back and stuff like that and playing well and our defensive obviously playing well – everything kind of
clicking as a team helps all phases I think.
(On what the feeling was like when the team was 3-8-1 and if he thought they could make the run
that they did) Yeah, absolutely. We went through a rough patch through the season with injuries and all
these other things or whatever but the games that we played we always felt that we believed in each other
and the games that we lost and the things that we did wrong were fixable and here we are. We stayed the
course and tried to put ourselves in position to make a playoff run.
(On all three of the losses against Seattle being close and if that gives him confidence coming into
this game) Yeah, definitely but I mean, I don’t want to live in the past. Right now, our whole focus is:
prepare to play on Saturday and team that plays the best on Saturday wins.
(On what this year has meant for him after a tough couple years due to injuries) It means a lot. This
is kind of what I said in the beginning of the year is that I wanted to make sure that I was contributing to
my team to the best of my abilities and wherever the coaching staff felt my attributes fit best – I just
wanted to be a part of it. Here we are and it’s been fun this year.
(On how frustrating his career has been for him) It hasn’t been frustrating. I mean at the end of the day
I’m still blessed to be in the position I’m in and you can’t dwell on the past and you have to live in the
moment.
(On if he watches clips of Marshawn Lynch and his thoughts on the way he performs) I love the way
Marshawn runs – ‘Beast mode’. Being a Pac-12 guy, I played against him one time in college and always
admired the way he runs as a big back, as a back that credits himself on breaking tackles and kind of
taking over games in the ways that he does. It’s pretty nice.
(On when he was playing high school football if he envisioned playing in the NFL) In high school I
was kind of day-by-day kind of person, never really jumped ahead. Of course, you always have dreams of
playing in the NFL and maybe even envisioning yourself playing for the Seahawks growing up in
Washington and all those other things. Being able to play this playoff game back home is definitely going
to be a cherished moment as are a lot of the moments I’ve experienced in the NFL. Like I said, cherish the
opportunities you get, especially playoff moments because you never know when your last appearance
will be.
(On if USC was on his recruiting radar coming out of high school and what he remembers about
Pete Carroll) Yeah, I took a trip to USC and Lawrence Jackson was my host. I remember being at a team
meeting before the game where Pete Carroll gave his speech and stuff like that – he was really a player’s
coach I guess you would say. There was a song by Snoop Dogg during the time that they were singing as
a team – it was definitely a different experience then all my other trips that I took.
(On how good are the linebackers that he is going to go against this week) They’re pretty good. That
defense made their statement to me the last couple of years as a solid defense in the NFL. That D-line –
got to give them a lot of credit as well – being able to free up those linebackers on plays and stuff like
that. Of course the secondary is good as well. The defense as a whole – I mean the numbers don’t lie.
(On his overall impressions of Michael Bennett) Just how agile he is for his size. Him and Cliff Avril
the way they’re able to get off the ball and get to the quarterback is obviously, something you’re aware
going into a game. Those guys are great players.
(On if Bobby Wagner reminds him of Luke Kuechly) Luke Kuechly is one of a kind. I’m not really
one to say that one is better than the other or whatnot but they both have their pros – they’re both special
players. I’m looking forward to playing him.
(On if he had a favorite Seahawk growing up) Ricky Watters.
(On if Ricky Watters was his favorite Seahawk growing up because he was a running back) Yeah,
because he was a running back.
(On if he has any good stories about Max Unger from their time at Oregon together) Just the fact
that he always wore these ugly Hawaiian shirts.
(On Pete Carroll singing Snoop Dogg) They were all singing but he was singing along for sure.
(On which Snoop Dogg song it was) I think it was “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
(On what he thinks Oregon is going to do on Monday night) Of course they’re going to win so that’s
really all I have to say about that. I mean they’ve been displaying their talents the last several years of
what they could do and now they have another opportunity to show the world what they’re about.
(On how he has seen Cam Newton grow as a passer this year) Being able to make pre-snap reads a lot
faster – he’s grown, not just as a passer but as a leader. Every year, every day, you see him growing into
what he is supposed to become which is an elite quarterback in this league.
(On how Cam Newton was able to bounce back after his accident) It was actually incredible. I mean
that whole situation – him getting in that accident and the media coverage and all that other stuff and then
the injuries that he had from it. Only God can really work that out. I’m pretty sure he’s thankful for
everything that came of that.