 What's up everybody and welcome to the latest edition of the Falcons in focus podcast. I'm Scott bear That's Tori McElhaney man of the hour new Falcons Cornerback and people are pumped about this Jeff Okuda joining us Jeff. Thank you so much for And we're gonna start by going back in time just like a little bit Let's see August 12th 2022 I'd write this down. I was actually at the game Yeah, we were there. Tori was there. Jeff was there Falcons Lions in Detroit. Yeah preseason preseason game preseason games Generally not too consequential right personally. I'm not a big fan of preseason games But yeah, I'm just always kind of like let's just get to the regular season. I know why they're important But yeah, we were there in Detroit and I was just kind of like hi like it's preseason game But for you there's actually a really important day big day. No, it was that was my first game back I'm tearing my Achilles the previous season. So You know to be able to play that game meant the world to me because I you know when you tear Achilles one of the managers where you don't really know What's next you have to walk by faith a lot of the times Oh, what a term walk by faith. I'm gonna steal that but I will give you credit you know, I I just think it's so interesting right because You you go through the whole process and then it's like wow, I did it that felt normal, right? Like yeah, did you have like a moment where because you always hear about like, you know Achilles injuries specifically where it's like you almost have to like start trusting your body again Like do you remember that game and kind of having a moment where you're like I can do this. I'm back. Things are good Yeah, no just just taking that feel with everyone kind of taking in the game to environment You know, I would say like when you get injured like that and you're out pretty such a like prolonged time You start to not take the little things for granted So for me that day was really about like soaking it all in like the little game day experience Walking out seeing all the fans And I mean it was pretty cool that it was against the Falcons too because it ultimately became a full circle moment You know a year later now Do is there a moment of like the game day process that you Like when when you're away from the game for so long Was there a moment that you're like, I didn't think that I was gonna miss this part of game day But I do I miss this was there a moment for you like that? Honestly, I mean, I like to dress a little bit. So So game day fits. I also love a game day fit moment. They're important to me So we're speaking the same language because I didn't realize like no, you can't some game day fits You can't just wear it to like other casual places It looks awkward It's like only belongs there I got hurt the first game Of the season So all these game day fits that were just sitting there and I couldn't really do anything with them for a year So there we just sit on the shelf and a year later, okay Now I can start putting this stuff on again, right? Yeah, and and now now they got a little purpose. So it's all cool We actually have this thing. It's called what it's called sundaes. I guess and it's all about like Pregame Falcons fits and we actually put it out during the game. So you're you're calling your shot right now You will be a featured member. Yeah Yeah, I'm gonna do a little something on there. I'll make a couple cameos So it's kind of like the way that they did our creative team did such a good job But it's kind of like a it looks like a magazine and the way that they put it together It's like on instagram and it looks kind of like different pages of a magazine And they take things that like we've written throughout the the week and kind of put it with pictures of all of y'all It's pretty cool. It's pretty fun. So I it took about three minutes to go completely off-script. I know But I'm into this fashion thing like like like how'd you get interested in it is something that you've always kind of been About like I know like grady's really into it. Yeah great grady I don't know if you've talked to grady But grady does this really cool thing where he before the season ever starts. He like picks out like especially made like outfits Really? Yeah And he has it like I think I don't want to put words into his mouth But I think he like chooses which outfit he's like gonna wear when it's like schedule He like he like builds it Yeah ahead and then yeah comes you'll have to ask him about it because I don't know if that's 100 percent accurate, but No, yeah, I mean, I guess I guess I've always been into it But you know growing up I didn't necessarily have the financial means to to really get the things that I wanted, but I had to offer it So in college, you know in college you start getting a little bit of stipend And you just get a little bit more. You can't really go over the top because you're starting a college budget Right and then coming to that feels okay. Now I get it I can get some of the things that I've always always wanted So I like to kind of create a part behind it like I know some guys like to pay people to build their office, but I honestly was going to class a couple days for the game and I'm just kind of like Put things together and then I hope it works I hope when something and most time it does but sometimes you might miss but Sometimes you look at a picture and you're like, I don't know what I was thinking No, no, it's never that it's never that though. It's never that though. It's never that but like it's like, okay These didn't hit as hard as I know it could But it's all right though. It's all right though. It's all right though. That's funny, man So As you look at from august 12th 2022 through that whole year you play the whole season Yeah, like really well for that whole year, right? So you're on this kind of injury roller coaster, but to be off of it, right and just be you How how how gratifying was that just to go out there play football like you always have I don't know if it was worry-free or not But like what was that experience like kind of getting to be you it felt good just because um coming into the nfl That first year was a cove year. Yeah, so I was pretty weird. You're you know not playing in front of I mean, I guess like coming into the league you kind of Have this idea of how it's supposed to look like and how it's supposed to go Obviously that being like a lifelong dream and to have like those that first season we played with no fans and You know all these like different rules and like regulations and whatnot. It was a little bit weird And then the next year obviously like the some of those kind of get pulled back a little bit But I turned my Achilles that first game of the year So that that kind of like delayed the nfl experience. Yeah, right to the third year where it's like not okay I'm not taking this for granted anymore. Like not that I was in the past But I guess you have that realization that like these little things are important and all these things matter So be able to play there all those all those games that I did I mean, I enjoyed every single moment of it, you know being part of the locker room um Building chemistry with my teammates. It was something that like I won't really forget and then Obviously we started off the season in Detroit. I think one and six and to finish nine and eight. I think it was just um It was pretty cool to see that like I guess have that whole experience And not like I said not take those little things for granted like just winning the games and how that feels And what can what that can do for the morale of a whole locker room I was able to see that when it's that first hand. Yeah, and That is really cool. And you know that kind of brings us to present day, but it's like Let's go back to I think there was like a q&a or something where you said That that if you were to bring somebody back to your hometown, like where would you take them and you said the warrior bowl Is the warrior bowl? Is that the stadium in south grand prairie high school? Am I getting that right? I'll see you do your research We try Yeah, that's the stadium that I grew up playing high school football in Played there for four years I would say like it's that's an important place to me is because you know a lot of memories were made there Um in texas, you know, you get like a lot of those like super teams and That's kind of how it is maybe in georgia. It's like that's two or florida But like my high school was literally people I played with were guys that I grew up with in middle school And people that I've seen grow up like along the way and then you go from playing with them in seventh grade to now I'm playing with them in 12th grade like it just kind of it It's crazy because You've seen these guys develop and you like are able to like refer back to earlier moments So I would say like a lot of special games happen there because I think when you Are able to accomplish things together guys you've done it for a long time It's different because I could be able to hit them up now and and like hey remember when we did this In 11th grade and it's like, yeah, I do that was special to me. I still remember that I love that and there is this one picture when we were doing our research and I can't remember You posted it or if it was something that we had read but I think you're a running back or something Were you running back? Yeah? Yeah, okay. That's right. That's right You you were running down the sideline and it's just this like quintessential. I feel like Not just like high school. Yeah, not just like high school football photo, but like texas high school football photo And it's like you can see the stands and I assume it was at the Warrior ball where y'all played but you could just see the stands and everybody was just like It was a level excitement that I feel like can only be captured like in like a moment That's really special. Do you remember that? No, that was that was a the rivalry game I went to South Grand Prairie High School and then we were playing Grand Prairie High School And the stadium was kind of like a stadium that we both share kind of like the Giants and the Jets So the whole city was out there And like so you could just feel the energy in the stadium that night and I think it was my that was my last time playing them And so obviously going for an O against them was important Right, so like I think I made like a long run got a first down Momentum shifting type of play and like the energy in that stadium in that moment was just real captivating so I felt this. I don't want to make sure they felt me as well I love it. I know it's just like it's my favorite picture Like my dad was a high school football coach still is he came out of retirement recently Now he's coaching again at the high school level. Yeah, and he I don't know just being around like the friday night football Like there is something in texas. Yeah. No, no in georgia in georgia. Yeah No, but he's the same in georgia I have to say But so can can you describe to someone who's never been to a Texas friday night close the town down. What's that experience like especially as a five star recruit, right? Like what was that experience like? I would say like Unless you have another point of reference Like sometimes you get full yourself to think and that's a norm of how football games are played across the country, right? Yeah That's not the reality of things like so I think people can actually Underestimate just how crazy it is if that's your everyday experience But then when you go to like another state and you'll see like wait, this isn't as packed It feels a little bit different, but when you're like having whole arenas Just completely filled with fans and it's going crazy and like you're saying things are shut down I think you realize the magnitude of Texas football and like just the pride of football in the state And I mean, so so let's let's let's tailor it to your experience, right? You're a big time recruit what 30 offers 30 plus. Yeah That's like a few right your mailbox is probably constantly full I mean like what's that experience like? In texas with that type of attention. I'm sure everybody wanted you to go to texas, right? But I mean, you know to to to have that level of attention Like what was that personal experience like for you, especially as a junior? I'll say to me it was really a blessing because like I said the high school I went to We were competitive, but we weren't like a powerhouse in the state by any means so There weren't necessarily a lot of guys that I came before me that had Kind of gone into that type of national attention like to have Like the alabamas the Ohio states the georges heavily recruiting me That was that was something that was different like people hadn't really seen that on my school So to have like urban mire come to my school um Taking back Bob stoops come to my school like those those kind of coaches That was really it was it was actually special for me because I didn't necessarily coming into high school Assuming that was going to be my reality because I hadn't Seen it been done by another person. So once that started taking place To me it felt like I was in a movie like yeah, I couldn't I couldn't necessarily even though you believe in yourself You believe you're in town level Um, I guess you just don't necessarily think those opportunities come at that at that school I was at so for that to happen it was special for me because It not only gave me a chance to you know, take my game to not a level but I believe that it opened up doors for the guys that were underneath me to potentially gain exposure to and You know ultimately provide for their families as well I mean, I think that makes sense just because you talk about just like the exposure Yeah, exactly. That you come to see me then But you're still watching the game Yeah, you're still watching the game and then maybe this other guy catches your eye And then so maybe you don't land me but on the flip side you now added another prospect Hey, I'm kind of interested in this guy too. Yeah, so I'm going to recruit him as well And then that's another opportunity for him. So I like to think that that provided some people opportunities Yeah, and kind of put your school on the map and you know, I don't want to say that but He can say that. Yeah, I can do that for you. Yeah Now it When it came time to I guess make a decision I know you've been asked this before in your career, but why Ohio State? Why was that somewhere that you were like, you know what this is where I want to be I picked Ohio State. I would say like it was two different things One obviously you want to think about how the football is going to play out Of course. Yeah, they had they were developing a really like strong tradition of putting out a lot of first-round db's Totally, which told me that they had like a blueprint of how it's supposed to be done Because I think if you're able to sustain Success for a certain amount of time at some point doesn't become coincidental It becomes like an intentional type of thing And then on top of that like the plan that Coach Meyer was setting up for life after football And the networking things he had I know he had job fairs We had this thing called real life ones day where we would kind of Discuss like, you know other type of job opportunities in case the football didn't pan out That was interesting to me because I know obviously as much as everyone wants to go to the nfl Like the reality is that not a lot of people do accomplish that right accomplish that goal So like just to have plans set out so that if it didn't work You weren't kind of left out to dry. You kind of had Different just maybe you didn't know what you're gonna do But you had your mind headed in another direction That was important to me. Just because I wanted to make sure that with an opportunity like this that I wasn't naive to the fact that I didn't come around often That I Basically took the best opportunity I love that when now you talk about having different opportunities What did you want to be when you grew up? I was totally Really? Yeah, when you If you're not thinking in the lens of football, what was something that you wanted to do when you grew up? I what I gotta say what age like what age? Okay, it changed it changes. Okay. What if you If you didn't have football at like 18, what were you kind of like thinking of 18 18 I was at our house. They yeah Honestly, I wanted to be a movie critic like I love it. I was like I watched a lot of movies like I could I could do this I know there's probably some money in this industry somewhere So yeah, I wanted to be a movie critic like rotten tomato or something like that You know, I was just grinding out all the streaming services Like I was up to date with all this stuff like I'm pretty important. I mean we can carve out a page on our atlantafalkins.com Yeah Come in be like guardians of the galaxy volume three Exactly Like the main studio with the big screen where you're just like watching it. It's like pause. Here's what I love I'm just saying. Yeah, I think it's a great idea the opportunities endless um Yeah, so as you're you know going to Ohio State, right? And I I think if I recall what actually let me back up. I got lost in my notes But but yeah, so like I remember a story I think maybe that like you brought it up because there because like there were times where Where like your your mom wasn't able to attend games because she was you know going through some health Related issues and she had a quote or something where she says Oh, yeah, she said Maybe you said it or you said she said it But it was something along along the lines of like she would pull up like youtube videos Of you playing so that she would know whether you were like truthful or not about the how good you were Yeah My mom she had immigrated from abrica, Nigeria So she wasn't necessarily familiar with the game the game of football, right? So obviously like people could tell her that you know, I'm a good player and all that stuff But she wasn't And I said she did not a lot of gauge and like how to judge it On top of that she was pretty like afraid of the sport because obviously Yeah, it's a physical sport. Uh-huh. So like when she'd watch the game. She'd always like I can't I don't know Be careful. Be careful. And like she'd always be super cautious So when I come home like sometimes I would see her like watching my highlights and things like that Because she couldn't make it to all the games just some right health conditions and whatnot So when I come home, I'd watch I see her watching it And I could tell like how proud of how proud of me she was and that was special for me Yeah, and like I was going to say that even if she didn't know about the game seeing Yeah, what you what you were able to do with it. She had to be like beaming with pride Especially when she seemed to do all these, you know, great things with it Yeah, for sure. I mean, I like the thing that she's still looking down like just proud of, you know I did the things that I saw was an accomplice, you know at that age Always, you know, envision just being able to make it to NFL and then be able to provide for her in a different type of way Um, get her better healthcare services So I would like to think that you know, she's proud that, you know, as a man, I did everything I said I was going to do That's awesome. And I think like just her story too of like, you know, we were talking about like coming here from Nigeria and Creating a new life for you and your sister, right? Like, I mean, I just feel like that is Her story, I think is a very powerful story No, no, for sure I would say like for me personally When I was going through The injuries and like the Achilles thing I'd always kind of refer back to like her resiliency and how she responded to adversity in her life and that would kind of like Pave the path for okay, if she was able to do it and there's no reason why I can't overcome whatever I'm going through right now Right. So it was just kind of Having her as a role model, right to be able to be like, okay Like this isn't how would my mom handle this right? Yeah. Yeah, and uh having your sister and having The support system around you no matter whether it's friends or family Like how important has that been when you were going through difficult times as a young kid And like how important was that to kind of like support you and keep you kind of going and helping you Realize all of these dreams that you had set up. Yeah, and for me personally I think my family is just like I put them on like the ultimate pedestal because You know one of the African Proverbs that you know takes a village to raise a child So I know that personally I wouldn't be where I'm at without the help of others just because my mom was so sick So my aunt and her family took a lot of care of me my other aunt Like they just provided that kind of support that guidance Which allowed me to not be alone or not feel alone And I was always able to lean on somebody else and I even though mom was sick and she couldn't be here Well, I'd have my aunt come and she come to the game. She supported me and she'd come to my jersey ceremonies so Like I always try to make sure that I take care of them because I know when I was coming up and Obviously in a different situation that they were taking care of me. Yeah Man, yeah, no, that's pretty powerful stuff. And I know like, uh, I don't I don't know if people can see But you're actually wearing a necklace that has Uh africa on it if that's correct if I can see yeah Why you know, I think people talk a lot about their heritage. Why is that something that you You know Want people to know of and to be like, hey look like this is my heritage and this is what I'm proud of I would say like the older I've gotten um Just definitely started embracing it more. Um You know growing up obviously you want to be a little like you want to do what everyone else is doing so I would say growing up. I didn't really embrace my heritage as much but then As I got older I had it like sort of type of epiphany that this is what makes me unique. Yeah, you know being african and Everything that comes with being african is something that you should take pride in So if you're different then it doesn't matter because you're different, but you're unique So I've tried to as I've gotten older, you know, definitely put that my Ethnicity my like nigerian culture at the forefront A lot of things that I do and pay homage to the country as much as possible because like Honestly, like there's a lot of great athletes great people that have come from that country and just try to you know I have a seven on 17 in Nigeria right now and just Like I got plans, you know, just bring awareness of the sport over to africa So that you know, they get those kids over there can provide opportunities for the family as well Yeah, because I know you see a lot of times like the basketball players That come from africa to america and they have such success and they're able to do all these tremendous things like Whether it's like yannis or jolland b. Yeah um I honestly believe that you could find a lot of those athletes. I mean you see we have david on the team Yeah, who's millegos, um A.k. Yeah, I'm located. Yeah exactly. So you see a lot of the talent. I think that Honestly, it's untapped. It's a lot of untapped talent in the country So just bringing that awareness over there. I think we're gonna pull out of athletes from there I think it's cool too. I've said this and I'm pitching this everybody consider this I think we should have like a group of guys like go over and do like a falcons camp in africa I would love that. I think that'd be so freaking awesome. That'll be that'll be awesome. Yeah, so you have a seven on seven team over there Yeah, that's cool. Yeah, just kind of you know, like that's how you learn the fundamentals of the game Yeah, exactly. It's a lot cheaper. You're not buying you know pads and helmets and stuff and they can just go Um go out there and play. Uh, when did you start that? I started that I would say it's been right up in my mind for two years Yeah, my aunt takes care of it. Um Like I said, like the big thing that we all sat down and talked about is that you really can't Take any steps forward unless you're educated and have awareness about the sport Yeah, so that was what we kind of wanted to build our foundation on is you know Educating them on the rules of the sport, you know the techniques of the sport And then you know when that when we kind of accomplish that then we'll put them in pads And then we'll start doing things like that. But it's obviously a progressive thing. That's so cool I know You can do all the research in like in the world and still not come up with my favorite part of this podcast so far No, I love it. That's that's the best part of this podcast. Yeah, we get to learn more things about you guys So and and now that you're here in the eight cell now. We're gonna completely Because I was thinking I saw on Uh social media a lot that you were doing some offseason workouts with aj Right, and and that and that kind of got us thinking because you went through the draft process With aj you guys were both kind of first-round talents and stuff like that Did you have a chance to get to know him then if you guys I mean like well something I just thought about that was actually coveted year Like so there probably wasn't a lot of interaction. I mean, I was always familiar with aj. Um, just from the house state We played Clemson my last college game. You know when they cheated I was always familiar with them, uh, I'm all through college with aj and then I'm coming back from my achilles. I started training with um, Oliver davis who trains aj as well. Okay. Okay. So that's the connection Yeah, so then when I came to one of the sessions aj was there And actually, you know, it's the working aspect. We started talking And so after that kind of kept kept like I mean I'm watching the defensive film So I could like watch the falcons games whenever they're playing an opponent and see him making plays and it was pretty cool to see And then I remember one workout I had maybe a march um I was asking od Uh, who's who's the falcons other corner? He was like, I'm not a hundred percent sure right and then I was like All right Now we kept working out and then it was like cool to see like maybe like two or three weeks later I was down in Atlanta falcon. Like God works in mysterious ways. Like it was it was a wild thing So I mean, I'm excited for that opportunity to like get with him And I mean, I I think that you know, sky's the limit. He's got to put in the work every single day Yeah, I mean, it's been to see how many new faces, especially are on defense I know we don't talk a lot about football and stuff stuff like that, but it's like kind of like what uh Calais was saying like why he wanted to come here is he kind of he felt like a groundswell that something special Like could be done here. You've only been around for a couple weeks. He kind of get that sense. You got jesse baits here He got calais. You got aj. You're here now Is there kind of some I don't know confidence at least kind of being built here like hey man Like maybe we can do something Yeah, no, I think that we have the right group of guys in the room I think everyone's committed to the same goal and it's pretty cool having veterans like us who had a lot of seasons in the league You know say that things like you know, I think that we're building something special here because I can obviously feel like that But like they played for a long enough time that yeah, they truly know what something special is being formed So for them to have that testimony, I think it It pays to run as dividends to you know, the front office and what they've been trying to accomplish here Yeah, I mean, you were probably in like diapers when calais was out there He is an older guy, but that's I mean there's a lot of wisdom to begin a lot of wisdom Yeah, I'm still pretty good at what he does I can't wait to have him on the podcast to to grill him about being old Because we have to do that although I'm still technically older than him was really I think we're down to the portion of the podcast Tori and I absolutely love call rapid fire rapid fire It's five questions everybody. Well, mostly everybody gets the same five questions We will appreciate when it is about a movie so that'll be good. Yeah. Yeah, we do have one about a movie So are you ready the pressure's on? All right question number one What's your favorite play of your career and this can be professional? It can be college It could be high school at the warrior ball Fair play my career First nfo intercession against carlor murray nice carlor murray. Wow. I love it too because I think uh When we had jesse on the podcast, he also like named the quarterback that he Yeah, you got to that's like a I think it's a rite of passage. Yep. He picked derrick car and he was That's what he said. Yeah. Yeah Number two, who is your favorite athlete regardless of sport or like who was it when you were a kid, I guess Uh, lebron james lebron always gotta appreciate his sustained success. Mm. Good point. Uh, he might be like Kalaeus's age right Kalaeus is gonna be so mad that all we're doing on this Sorry, my oldie. Shout out kalaeus though Now, um, here's a good one your favorite movie or tv show that you're really into right now right now Snowfall I'm I'm like i'm in season one like i'm so far back. Are you behind you behind? It's gonna spoil it for so much world Okay, well then well since I know that you're such a big movie guy, what's your favorite movie? Training day training day. Oh That's great. I like it when it takes like zero seconds. I know me too. He knows right away. Yeah I'm like star wars a new hope Usual suspects Okay, uh What is your favorite emoji and why is it the chili pepper emoji? Oh, I so god you brought this up. So so only assume when I said that chili emoji I'm assuming that it is because that's the one that I've seen you use the most On instagram. Okay. Okay. That's fair. That's a fair assumption. Okay, but I would say it's incorrect though Interesting I would say it's incorrect because I would say the chili pepper. You can't just use it in casual conversations Otherwise, you kind of can see it. Just keep dropping right I kind of like the I like the face that smiles with like a little like tear drop Yeah Yeah, yeah, I like that one. I like that one. There needs to be one with like the finger gun emoji. Yeah That's probably my favorite one though. If you had a superpower, what would it be and why? Right now I would say flying because it's atl traffic is crazy right It is the worst it takes me like an hour 15 to get home and it's just like It's I just like put on my murder podcast and just drive If I could fly I'd probably live in the city because it's my properties out there Yeah, there are some really nice times. I was driving around I was trying to beat traffic and stay off of the highway the other day and I was driving around. I was like Probably like I could get one of these homes, you know, right or just being visible. So I don't get held up by the Atlanta airport That's another one teleportation Right. Yeah, right, right, right And on that note, we have wrapped another freaking awesome edition of the falcons in focus podcast presented by ticket master in the ticket master studio So please do what y'all do rate review subscribe five stars If you wouldn't mind comment on youtube all that fun stuff and we will come back to you Very soon with another awesome podcast. Jeff Ocuda. Thank you so much for joining us, man. This was rad Respectfully