The NFL’s highest paid defensive back, Antoine Winfield, Jr., the guy many believe is the best safety in the game, talks like a very hungry Buccaneer.
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Winfield is a rare cat. And that starts with having a Pro Bowl cornerback father who retired in 2013 after 14 seasons. Winfield grew up around the game — and greatness — and very much has a different standard than most players.
That was on display during his recent video sitdown with Buccaneers.com.
“You have to put the work in,” Winfield said. “You know, that’s an everyday thing. You have to be able to come in here and change your best every single day. And you can’t get complacent. You know what complacency does.
“Everybody’s replaceable. You can be doing great one minute and the next minute you can be out of the building. So it’s all about just always being hungry and always wanting to get better every single day.”
Winfield speaks with such ease and passion when he talks about grinding daily to be great. He has a real Tom Brady sort of delivery on that subject.
Joe detected that the “change your best” phrase put a little extra juice in Winfield’s voice. It’s a spectacular mindset.
Despite reaching every goal Winfield likely had entering the NFL — Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, All-Pro, gargantuan contract — he is driven to make his next four seasons far better than his first four.
Winfield is one guy the Bucs don’t have to worry about collecting a fat check and taking his foot off the gas.
