When the New England Patriots desperately needed a boost, safety Jabrill Peppers was there to give it to them.
After the Patriots took a 3-0 lead after their first possession last Sunday, Peppers came up huge by intercepting Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen on New England's first defensive play. The Patriots scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 10-0 lead, and go on to win 29-25 in shocking fashion. Peppers played a key part in the win with a team-high nine tackles, a pass defended and the takeaway.
After the game, Peppers continued to be a great source of team energy. Before long-time special teams captain Matthew Slater gave his traditional postgame speech, Peppers stepped in to give an electric talk of his own.
"That's how you respond!," Peppers said in the locker room. "The character of a man is not what you do when in times of comfort but how we respond in adversity. Way to not flinch, way to not waver, man. That's how you win a game."
Peppers' postgame motivation wasn't just limited to his exhilarating speech. He also approached team owner Robert Kraft by saying "Every week! Every week, baby!" and told rookie receiver Demario Douglas "Welcome home. Welcome to the league, Pop!"
After Peppers finished his speech, he handed the metaphorical microphone back to Slater to wrap up the day. Instead of his traditional "aw yeah" celebration, Slater ended his speech by embracing the family aspect of football.
"What I saw today was not individuals, was not a team. I saw a family," Slater said. "And we can do something with that, fellas. It ain't gonna be no 'aw yeahs' today. It's family on three."
Peppers, 28, is in just his second season with the Patriots, but it's evident just how much he has won over the locker room.
More must-reads: