Jimmy Garoppolo has had success at the NFL level, though fans and analysts still have their doubts about his ability to lead a team.
Garoppolo was able to win two Super Bowl titles as a member of the New England Patriots and parlayed that experience into a starting job with the San Francisco 49ers. Garoppolo led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance, but since then has dealt with multiple injuries.
Now going into 2023, there are doubts about him being the right quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, but he is embracing his haters via Scott Thompson of FOX:
“Honestly, it’s kinda one of those things like if you don’t got anyone hating on you, you’re not doing anything,” he told Fox News Digital while discussing his experience at Nellis Air Force Base with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds thanks to USAA and Team Whistle.
He continued, “It’s a blessing in disguise having those people hate on you, and it pushes you a little bit more. When no one’s talking about you, that’s when you should be worried. When things aren’t going great, and you start getting pushed to the wayside.”
Garoppolo also acknowledged that while he’s been able to accomplish things at the professional level, he still has to go out and prove himself each and every day:
“What you’ve done is the past is cool, some cool highlights to look on and look at when you’re old and gray,” he explained. “But each year, you’ve got to prove yourself, especially in the NFL. It’s such a competitive league. There’s only 32 guys that do what we do as a quarterback. There’s always someone trying to take your spot.
“So I think nothing’s going to be given to you. That’s one thing I love about this building: Nothing’s going to be given to you. You gotta go out there and earn it every day.”
As far as the upcoming Week 1 tilt against the Broncos, Garoppolo seemed to understand that his haters will be out in full force though he is going to welcome them with open arms:
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.
The signal caller surely is no stranger to people not giving him any credit, and it sounds like he’s taking the challenge of leading Las Vegas back to the postseason in stride. It remains to be seen how he’ll actually do, though at the very least he’s got the right mindset.
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