 Yeah, Richie, you know, congratulations, but I just want to tell the people here what you think you can add to the Falcons and so forth. Adult. Short and sweet, man. You're going to get adult. I'm ready to work, man. I never thought this could happen to be honest with you, but I'm forever grateful to Atlanta organization, man, taking that chance on me. You're about to get a playmaker, you know, a leader on and off the field, that type of guy. You know, I really care about every aspect of the game and that Lin is about to see that. And yeah, I see you got 290 tackles and 17 passes, defense and 10 interceptions. How do you find the ball? You're on the ball a lot. I'm studying, doing the right things, trusting in my teammates, trusting in the game plan. They all go hand in hand. But the ball just love me though. Maybe I just got a special relationship with it. I don't know. Troy McLinney. Hi Rich, you congratulations and we'll see you in Atlanta soon. I don't mean to put any pressure on you by saying this, but with the way that this safety group is rebuilding in Atlanta, it almost seems that you're the future of this position group. When you think about it in that way, what does it mean to you that the Falcons see that future in you? Absolutely. Blessing. I'd never heard somebody tell me I'm the future. You know, like those are the first time I heard words like that, you know, and I don't take them lightly. I'm coming in. I'm gonna do exactly what I've been doing my whole life. I just working hard keeping my head down. And you know, like I said, leading on and off the field. So I don't know, man, I can't even get the words right right now. I'm just excited, man. Love it. Also, you know, you're joining a defense that is being led now by Dean Pease. What do you know about Dean Pease? And he really does seem like he likes to get his safeties kind of all over the field. So are you excited about joining that? Close definitely. That's what that's, that's, that's my key right there. Hold on. I've been trying to escape my family members. I'm ready. I've been trying to escape. They've been, they've been all over me. But um, but yeah, man, that that's the key to my game, you know, being able to line up multiple spots and still be productive in multiple spots, you know, not just being a guy out there. And I took that with me to the senior bow. And that was one thing that I wanted to showcase at the senior bow. And I ended up getting a whole nother spot at corner. So you know, that's, that's a big part of my game. And I pride myself on that. And film study definitely helped me. Man, people keep calling me and film study definitely helped me get a edge in that aspect, you know, being versatile and being able to be productive while being versatile. Michael Rothstein. Hey Richard, congratulations. I want to hear something you just said, you know, I think it was your first answer that you said you never thought this could happen. What do you mean by that? Like, are you talking like get drafted second round? Go to Atlanta. What do you mean there? A team just believing in me enough, man, just call my name on draft night. That's what I mean. Just, you know, something I just never thought would happen to me. You know, I always had the dream, you know, always had the passion for the game. But it's just like one of those moments where you just like, it's just super surreal. You know, it don't matter how much hype you got behind you or not. Like it just don't matter. Like when it comes to all that, just hearing your name called and the team, you know, putting on the cap, something surreal and just something I just think would happen to me. I came from a very humble beginning, you know, so coming from that my journey all the way up to this point. I don't know, man, just something I just didn't think would happen to me. And I was listening to the podcast you did. I guess there was a couple months back and you talked about like the NFL players you watch. What is it that you take or pull from Eddie Jackson and from Minka and from Byrd when you're watching them that you've been able to add that might help you transition to the NFL? Just the way they command defenses, you know, their presence out there. I like to see like, you can kind of get a you kind of get a feel for how they read things, you know, you can see rock combinations. I can kind of see visually where their eyes go. I can see how quick they react on certain routes. If they react on a route and it was wrong. How did they handle that the next time just things like that to keep my game sharp, you know, just trying to guys that I emulate my game off of. If I want to be productive and, you know, stay consistent at the next level. And obviously they are doing those things. Then I want to see what they're doing. So I can try to do what they're doing. Hey Richie, my first question is what did the Falcons say to you in terms of how they envision featuring you in this defense? Everything that I've read about you says you're very interchangeable, but I wondered if they carved out a role for you that they told you about. I'll probably be a primary, hold on, hold on, hold on. I might have to change location, but I'll probably primarily be free safety, of course. And then, you know, probably come down, box a little bit, slot guy. But I think my main role would be free safety in the post, you know, being able to have vision on everybody. And you just talked about you kind of finding a role at corner, but your story is, you came out of high school, not really a known recruit. What do you think changed for you in terms of your career at UCF to get you where you are? And how did it feel to lose this in Snoddy Bearcats last year? Oh my goodness. Thank you, Jack. Thank you, Jack. Reminding me of all the things I don't like to be reminded of. Me and D-Later are all. Listen, listen, it's all good. I got a W against them. It's all good. It's all good. But now, that was pretty tough on me. You know, coming from high school, I felt highly of myself in terms of what I did on the field. I made sure the grades was never a problem. It just felt like to me like it wasn't a reason I shouldn't have got those big offers, but it just didn't happen that way. So, you know, it was tough on me. That's something I didn't really share with people at the time, but I've been able to tell that story through this process. And when I got to college, I questioned myself a little bit. You know, that was part of the reason why my dream for the NFL kind of it just like squandered a little bit because that as well as not making the plays I did in high school, I questioned myself like, can I still do this? Maybe I was right to not get those big offers, those type of things. But I just went back to God, man, who got me to that point. Anyways, you know, God always been my corner. And he always kept me humble. He gave me this platform and really, really most important part is all my worries, my anxiousness, like all that. I give it to God and I just control what I control. And that's what I did. So I just went to work. And just, I was just being me, you know, I got really good personality. So people say, and just being me, hardworking and the rest of it took care of itself. Jason, but Hey, Ricky, congratulations. You know, sticking with that, you know, at what point during your time at Central Florida, did you, did it change for you that the while you were doubting yourself it flipped to where you started believing that that you could be the player that you are today getting drafted here in the second round. Yeah, so it was with the new coaching change. We had Coach Frost, when I got in, and it went over to Coach Hypo and his staff. And that staff just came in and basically said no position is in stone right now. All positions up for grabs. We just want to see what you guys look like, how you guys compete. And I said, Hey, that's me, you know, I'm gonna compete like give me a shot. I'm gonna compete. I don't care if I'm first, second, third, because at the time I was a young guy still. And really, that was the same time where I just said, let me just go back to my foundation, which is God, and just went to work. So in that process of going to work, I found myself again. I was able to enjoy enjoy the game more. And, like I said, personally always been there. So every aspect was just hitting, you know, it was on every aspect was on point. And basically, my confidence just came back. So that's really what it is short story. Right. And during this pre draft process, was there a moment where you got a feeling that the Falcons are in on you pretty hard and that they wanted to take you with one of their early picks? I can't say either way, but I can say I knew it was a need. I didn't know we click well and all our interviews that we did. You know, they gave me a little bit of defense. I was able to pick it up real quick. And they like, you know, they like calling me. They like me as a, they like me as a player, obviously, but most importantly, you know, they praise my character. And, you know, thank God for that. The person I am. And it just missed, you know, so I was my agents, like they've been telling me, you come to Atlanta, you come to Atlanta. And I kind of, I kind of knew that though during COVID. I was like, yeah, I might be in Atlanta. Like, I definitely might be a Falcon and look at that, man. I'm a Falcon man. Awesome. Thanks, man. Congratulations. Thank you, Jason. Jeff Schultz? Yeah, just following that up. You said the coaches gave you a couple plays, whatever you talked to them about it. Can I ask specifically what they talked to you about? In an interview? Yes. Or, yeah. Charles ain't like that. I'm sorry, I lost you. Nah, I was just trying to say, you know, pretty much it was a, you know, how I came up, trying to just basically see how did I become the guy that I am today, you know, my background. We did talk football, you know, we installed a few things and went over a little bit of my film, you know, try to see where my head was certain plays, things like that. But the meetings were real smooth. For the most part, for the most part, I say the beginning was mainly just by me and then it went into football. And then obviously players don't, you guys don't get to choose where you're going to be drafted. So you might be drafted by a great team or you might be drafted by a bad team or you might be drafted by a team that's going through a transition. The fact that like was alluded to early, you're coming to a team that's going to be going through some changes, particularly in the defensive side of the ball. How do you feel about that as a young player coming to a defense that's basically sort of going to be starting over to some degree? My life being full of challenges and I take them head on, you know, I don't shy away from just my philosophies is to work hard, take coaching and lead, you know, and everything else. All my successes in life, being able to be taken care of by that philosophy right there and having fun as well. So, you know, I'm coming in with the same mindset into this organization and I'm trying to bring that same energy to the defense. And I know in my heart, me doing that, you know, and being able to lead the way I can. I think guys, you know, jump on a bandwagon and then we can get this thing rolling positive direction. Thanks. Hi, you mentioned how a coaching change at Central Florida led to an opportunity for you. Do you see a parallel to, you know, following up on the last question. Do you see a parallel to what's going on here at the Falcons where a new staff can be looking at everybody on the same page? Most definitely. So in college, the only thing that's different is guys are not paid. So the scholarship you give, the scholarship you give, you can only, you know, the players you got, the players you got. In the league, you can trade out guys, they're not producing, you can go get another stuff like that. So it is different in that format, but in terms of everybody being on the same level and having the same opportunity to go out there and make sure their name is in a 32-man roster, 52-man roster. It's the same as college. So guys are definitely going to be out there competing. You know, we got a lot of young guys. And everybody what they name, everybody what they name to be in that 52-man roster. So it's a good opportunity for the starters to be pushed by guys who come in and the guys who come in to be pushed by the starters that we are trying to beat each other out to make sure we get on the field. And you mentioned that you knew safety was the position of need for the Falcons. I'm sure there's other teams also looking for help at safety. But I guess it's kind of tough to have a greater opportunity than a team that's having to replace Ricardo, Alan, Keanu, Neal, and Deontay, because how much did that jump out at you that this was like a real prime opportunity for you? Yeah, I did think about that. You know, a lot of guys left the team and the safety group, it is kind of small right now. I actually worked out with Eric Harris, a bunch of exos during my come line training, you know, we chopped it up a lot. And I think like my last week at exos, he ended up getting signed by Atlanta. You know, we just chopped him up talking and he said, you know, it's a really great spot to be. He love the staff and he wanted me to be his teammate. And like I said, God made things happen and he made that happen. And now we teammates and I'm going to be Atlanta Falcons. Kelly Price. You mentioned Eric Harris there. Talk a little bit more about that relationship. Is that someone you know well? Has he been one of these people calling you here on your phone? Yeah, he's been calling me. We've been talking about this for about two weeks, saying he wanted me to be a falcon and be his teammate. Like I said, I put it real well with people out for the field, you know, so he became like my big brother. I love that type of barn. And, you know, I'm responsible. I take care, you know, I like to have fun, but I take care of all the tasks that's at hand. So that just clicked and me and him kind of the same person, you know, we came from home of beginners. He's a little more humble in the mind, but we both came from home of beginners and we just wanted to be a part of a team together. And it's just crazy how it ended up happening like that. That's all I got. Thanks and congrats. Thank you, Kelly. Hey, Richie, I'm curious. You keep talking about your humble beginnings and how, you know, there were times where you were maybe overlooked. And I'm just curious, was there ever a person maybe along the way UCF, someone not at UCF that kind of sat you down and was like, listen, you're an NFL caliber defender. Let's get this thing rolling. Was there one person that did that for you? Or was it just a gradual process? It's been so many great people in my life, you know, that speak to me in that type of way. A lot to do with how I handle myself off the field. You know, a lot of people always call me a pro. You know, even going back to like freshman year high school, you know, not being the one to party, doing the extra work, you know, things like I've been doing this for a long time. So it's always been people in my life that's telling me that I can do it. And you know, that opportunity is there for me if I just work hard enough and stay humble true to who I am. So I can't just say one person. It's been a lot, but it's definitely been something that stuck out more than others. Okay, and then non football related. And I want to know what you know about the city of Atlanta and why you're excited to live there. During COVID, I signed my agency and they're based out of Atlanta. And I was there for two or three months, just working out and roaming the city, you know, and it's a little more busy than Orlando in terms of like, Orlando, we actually have parking, you know, we got parking in Orlando and we got theme parks and stuff like that. So it's going to be a little different in that aspect, but the city life, you know, I've been in that for five years, and I don't want to go back to I came from a London to Mississippi at my beginning. And that's about as country as you can get, you know, it's like one lane roads and one, one gas station, one fast food restaurant in that city, we only got Walmart. And I love my city. I'm not I'm not bagging on, but I don't want to go back to that. You know, I want to keep staying the city life and that limit is definitely that. Tanitra. Hey, Richie, I used to live in the Tampa Orlando area, so I feel you and definitely you're going to, you're going to love Atlanta compared, trust me. But just to kind of piggyback but kind of go in a slightly slightly different direction you talked about Eric Harris and that's kind of a built in mentor for you but also you have somebody in a secondaries coach like a John Hoke who really has a reputation for developing young talent like Andrew Adams and and Chris Conti over with the box. Now he's with the Falcon. So how is how important is it for you or encouraging is it for you to have someone like that who's known to develop the young talent, especially because a lot is probably going to be asked for you to really begin to contribute to the secondary immediately. And that's one of the reasons I'm so excited to be a Falcon because of that guy, you know, the whole staff but that guy man is being able to put his hands on people on certain players and elevate their game, you know, and obviously, we can't hear the when you know so anything that I can work on or you see that I can get better at. I'm believe you know I'm a possible guy anyways but you know I'm not going I'm not going back talking about you know I trust him 100% and we already become relationship and he's interviews. So anything he tell me yes sir. Let's do it like it's gonna make me better I know it's gonna be better. He got proof of that. So I'm ready to just start with that. So back on Maria's Atlanta question in your time of being here. What's the most Atlanta thing for you that maybe you had heard about before you touch down in our city. And once you actually were here you're like oh wow that's very Atlanta. Let me think. I can't tell you my first thought, but have you had any of our wings. Any wing stops. We stopped for sure. You know, my agency actually signed on Rick Ross became partners with Rick Ross. So we stopped for sure definitely. And then, and then I'm say the slain, like the slain. But I had a good grip on it, but you go that little it's completely different. You know, I had to catch up on that quick. So maybe the slain is very Atlanta. Very thanks. Christian brewery. Richie, you know, you being drafted now it's five straight years for UCF to have a player drafted and it sounds like maybe Aaron and tail go after you what's it mean for you to, to, I guess carry the baton for UCF and kind of continue to establish that brand here in Orlando. Well, let me ask you a question first, because I haven't been paying attention. Did they get their name called yet? TNN? Not yet that I've seen. Okay, okay, it'll be soon. It'll be soon. But to answer your question, just a blessing, man. You know, all these notifications have been popping up a lot of those young guys. You know, I'm not gonna lie in throughout the process. Just everybody saying like you deserve it so much like you stepped up. It was a big brother to us, a leader to us, like all of them are just so happy for me, man. And, you know, I don't take that for granted because when I was a young guy, I wanted to look up like I wanted to be around the seniors. I wanted to be around older guys because those are the guys who've been there done that, you know, they had to fulfill you. They had success. So I want to learn as much as I could. So I didn't have to, you know, go through the bad things, experience it for myself, just learn from their mistakes. So for me to, you know, be in this life for them in that entire, you know, UCF night nation, people just being proud of me. People just, just this happy for me, man. It's just a blessing, man. Really ain't got no other words for it. It's just a blessing. Thanks. All right. Thank you everybody. That's all the time we've got. Richie, appreciate it. Thank you very much. Thank you. I appreciate all y'all. Thank you so much. Y'all see this fountain on my head? It's real. You feel me? We there? We in Atlanta? Let's do it. I'm ready to work. I'm happy to get out of my family. So thank y'all so much for getting me away from them for a little bit. They will be in up on me.