Q&A: NY Jets RB, Austin Walter
Austin Walter, Instagram Account
Zach Wilson, Austin Walter, The Canadian Press
“We’re going to use this off-season to make sure we all get better and improve”
— Austin Walter
Growing up in Texas, Walter reveals although he started playing football in his youth, he had other hobbies in mind and preferred to play sports rather than watch them. This go-getter discusses the importance of being more than just a football player and how his other interests highlight more of his personality. Not only is Walter an athlete but he loves art, and wants to be known for more than just his football talents.
While it gets closer to kick-off, this Texas-raised running back showcases he is driven, focused, and ready for this upcoming season.
Photo: GettyImages
A challenging year isn’t enough to stop the NY Jets from keeping their hopes high this upcoming season. With the NFL Draft approaching and having a total of nine picks, the team plans on making key moves to solidify their place as a major contender. Austin Walter, Jets running back, explains they are a young team who’s working hard this off-season to prepare and improve. It’s only just the beginning for this team.
Q: what do you think the JETS need to accomplish to be a solid contender in the AFC East?
A: I feel like what we need to be a solid contender for the next year is just to build off what we did last year. We had a very young team last year, and at the same time, we had a whole year to grow and learn. So we’re going to use this off-season to make sure we all get better and we improve. I feel like I need to continue to strive to be the best running back I can be, and that stems from improving pass blocking my running, as well as being a receiver. Just being an all-around versatile player. By strengthening the areas that I’m good at, and the areas that I’m weak at. I feel that if we all do this as a team, then we’ll be better than last year.
Q: What are your expectations this season?
A: I'm just going to work hard and try to put myself in the best position to be successful and the expectations I have for myself personally, are to build off of what I did last year. This will be my fourth season, so this is a big season for a football player. I'm just working my behind-off and trying to become not only just a contributor but become a guide in the organization. So that's just me showing up early and putting in the work after I leave the building, and doing everything that I need to do to set myself up to be successful for the season.
Q: The most memorable moment in your NFL career?
A: The most memorable moment in my career, especially my professional career, is the touchdown I scored in Houston vs. the Texans. Being from Houston and being raised there, and the first time I've ever played in that stadium means the world to me. Seeing my family on the sidelines, and people I haven't seen in years - they were all there at that game. It wasn't planned, it was just how much I've been tapped into this city since a child. So just seeing all of those faces after the game just getting all the texts and the love from the people was probably the most amazing moment.
A lot of people don't know this - the night before my mom came to my hotel and she was crying. She said, "I feel like you're going to score a touchdown tomorrow." And as a child, you know your parents are always going to believe in you. A mother's intuition is just different because she ended up being right! As soon as I scored that touchdown I was over the top excited, she was the first person I saw after the game - of course, I had to give her that touchdown football.
Q: Training camp starting, what is your training regime?
A: During training camp, my focus is different because during training camp it's very intense so that's when the playbook gets involved. Even though I've been in the system for three years, I make sure the playbook remains fresh in my head so once I hit the field, I can just go play the game I've been loving since I was a child.
As far as working out and diet, that is mainly controlled by our strength and conditioning staff. It is not too different from what we do through the season, or at the moment. So as far as regime and diet, that remains the same all year round.
Q: As a former player for the 49ners, How was the transition from San Francisco to New York?
A: My move from San Francisco to New York was actually crazy. I was let go by the 49ners, and then I was signed a few days later by the Jets and had to get on a flight in a matter of hours to go to New York. Honestly, because I was very familiar with New York, (since I was with the Giants my rookie year) - I was excited. And thankfully the Jets made it such an easy transition.
