 What's up everybody and welcome to the latest edition of the Falcons in focus podcast brought to you by ticketmaster Recorded in the ticketmaster podcast studios. I'm Scott bear. That's Tori McElaney the man of the hour Brand new it. This is really fun to say brand new Atlanta Falcon safety Jesse Bates Jesse Welcome to the program. Welcome to the organization my friend. Absolutely. I appreciate you guys. I appreciate that. Yeah We're not gonna start with all the cool things that have happened today signing your second contract coming to a new team We want you to take us back. I don't have the exact date. So pardon me, but take us back to Cincinnati Bengals versus Baltimore Ravens. I believe you were in the fifth grade, right? Right? Your first NFL game Tell us about that experience who who was with you what that experience was like seeing NFL football for the first time Yeah, um, you know, usually that's a you know, a father and a son type of You know event to go to for your first football game being blessed being raised by a single mom She was took me and my sister to our first NFL football game and I remember seeing Ray Lewis and you see Chad ocho cinco You know a lot of you know, really good players on both teams and being able to experience that with my mom I thought that was really cool. And then come a 2018 I get drafted to the Cincinnati Yes full circle such a Cool moment for not just me but for my family as well. So you're from Fort Wayne, Indiana How that's like a drive maybe three hours something like that. Yeah, it's only three hours from Cincinnati Yeah, right. So that must have been cool because that I don't that you were so close to where you're from So then your family can see you I don't know if this happened or not But when you're in 2018 were there and you come out there in that stadium Were there any flashbacks or any thoughts after you got drafted by the Bengals like oh my gosh Like that was my first game now. I'm back here. I'm on the field Yeah, my mom she does a really good job of just remembering a bunch of stuff All the pictures she's like she's like that type of woman. She has all the pictures. So, um, right when I got drafted That's the first thing she thought of was being in that stadium already and Only being three hours away. And you know first thing I thought about was do I get discount on tickets? So, yeah, I spent a lot of money on my first yeah First year with a lot of tickets. Yeah Did it make you feel old when he was talking about like Ray Lewis? Yeah Not in fifth grade, right? Yeah, I also was in like elementary school Like we're just gonna move on from that. Yeah, I was definitely old enough to drive at the time that Ray Lewis was doing that but nonetheless, um yeah, a kid from Fort Wayne, right and You talked about your your mom Teresa, right and kind of that that role that she played in your life and raising you and your siblings and stuff like that So let's just get kind of right to that part of it. I mean What did your mom mean to you? Because from what I've read it's like work two jobs, but you were never disadvantaged because of that She really did everything that she could to put you in a position to be where you are now. Yeah, absolutely. I think I think she did a really good job of just really setting an example what work ethic is and What hard work can get you I think It's sometimes it's kind of cliche, but Just having my mama has just always been a blessing just being able to have that relationship You know, she's my mom. She's my dad. She's my best friend my brother. Whatever you want to call it She's everything at one And as many jobs as she worked, you know for us to have a great Christmas or whatever it was She never missed a game either. So That support system that I had, you know growing up Really meant a lot How you spend your time and just multiple aspects of life that I was able to Not look on a video and look at you know, my favorite Athlete doing it, but I was able to watch my mom do it So it was a really really yeah a really cool experience Um, and I you know, I get emotional about it and I'm able to joke about it now my mom But yeah, I don't know what I would do without her for sure You're younger years and you're kind of getting into football. What type of football fan was she is she? Yeah, she was always She loved the Bucks She loved the Bucks. I'm not shouldn't have said this on this podcast, but She loved the Bucks and she just always knew about the game of football. She always was a Duke fan She loved watching basketball. So There's a reason why I was always so interested in basketball baseball football Just because my mom almost instilled it in me and didn't force it or anything We just like watching it and what like watching good ball And it's you know translated and now she's watching her son play some good ball So it's pretty cool experience. Like I said, it's cool cool story. What what type of I guess like fan in the stand Is she like is she loud or is she more like reserved and then you get home? It's like hey, babe Need to do this better. Yeah, um My mom is behind the scenes you you think uh, she she talks herself up really good I haven't been able to watch her in the stands, but uh, she I mean she gets after it a little bit She gets herself a you know a couple drinks and Um and really enjoy a football game like a fan But also watching her her kid go out there and do what he loves to do. So Uh, yeah, she's she's behind the scene. She don't want to be seen. She don't want the camera on her or anything like that, but Uh, yeah, I'm sure you I'm sure you guys don't know who she is But so I can't wait. So like when you were in high school or in pop Warner I'm not sure you played pop Warner, but like could you pick her voice like out of the crowd? Like there's a you know, like you could they'd be like, okay Mom's saying somewhere or in the crowd was she sort of like Yeah, my mom. Yeah, that's my mom. She's uh, unless she's had a few drinks in her She's pretty quiet. She's pretty quiet for the most part. Um, she's she's very humble. I think that's where I get that from as well just Um, doesn't need to be seen. She no knows her place She's know who she is and what she's worth and what she's done for people. Um, and don't really ask for anything back So, uh, that's just who she is man. Like I said, you guys don't know her Uh, by just being in the stands at every single home game. I'm pretty sure Yeah, uh, she'll probably be combing underneath the podcast She's uh, pretty legit. Yeah, she's pretty. She'll see this interview I love that. Now, uh, what's the best thing the most special thing that you've been able to do for her since you've gotten in the league um I think the biggest thing is is um Probably getting her to be able to you know be debt free um Financial freedom is probably that you know, one of the biggest things that Uh, you know, I try to focus on right now with my family and Being able to spend as much time as they can. Like I said, with my mom always being at work um, I think time is very important when you're you know, raising kids and stuff like that. So um, yeah, I just want to I think the biggest thing like I said was taking that weight off her shoulders and um being able to live free being able to Travel to away games away NFL games. Like who would have ever thought that and uh, like I said, I think she deserves that. So um So so she can go explore the world and Have different experiences and also take my siblings and my grandmother, you know other family members along with her. So It's not just about her It's about I know she's the backbone of it and she makes a lot of the cause so Being able to have her her time. I think is very important now I know I know you have probably a ton of male influences in your life But I love this conversation about your mom and and maybe not even just your mom But also maybe like grant your grandmother your aunts to have like a female support system That helped you to realize your potential as a person and a football player I mean, how has that shaped you into the person that you are today? Yeah, um, like I said, you know when uh, when you're surrounded by that all the time and you see, um, You know, don't work their butts off and see why they're not there at sometimes It's because they're working hard. They're trying to do stuff to um, you know, put their family in a better place. So um, you know, it's just something that I naturally just grabbed on and Um, like I said, they they sacrifice so much and it's not their fault at times It's not their fault at all, but it's just who they are. Um as a person and like I said, they don't ask for anything um back when they do certain things like that and um, so it's just really cool to be able to um have that impact and and show the love back because um, a lot of time they don't get a lot of it and um being able to Be a son and um, you know, I'm living my dream, but I think my mom living hers as well And I think the cool thing is we've talked about what This second contract right a lot of the fans they see like a dollar sign with some numbers after it But it seems to me like you're looking at it with the impact that can be made with it Right, so you you talk about ways to help like help your mom and help your family But you're taking it a step further Right with with the jb3 single mothers initiative Tell us more about that because yes, you're helping out your immediate family But for a long time you've been doing work to help out other people in a similar situation. Right. Um, I think that With the jb3 single mothers fund. Um, I told a couple people on some interviews today. Um over the next four years I've committed a million dollars to be able to impact. Um, you know be able to Join some initiatives And have an impact here in Atlanta and also in my hometown as well. So Like I said, it's just when you have when you've been experience Something, you know, people go through different things sometimes, you know illness or something and that's what they want to impact But um in my situation, like I said, I was raised by a single mom. So Being able to have that impact On single moms with my mom alongside of me. I think Uh, it's really important. Um, because like I said, it's not Always, you know, the single moms fault. It's not they just always got to sacrifice so much and you know make up So much time for this person or that person. So Just being able to um show the appreciation for them. Um, it's something that's very important to me That's awesome. I mean that I just think that's really cool Yeah, I mean and you look around, you know, this league and so many people that can relate to it and Um, it's not something that I'm doing for likes or you know repost or anything. It's just something that Uh, when I pass away one day, they don't nobody's gonna care about this contract extension that you got and how much money Nobody's gonna remember that people are gonna remember what kind of man you were what kind of character that you had Uh, when you at the lowest when you're at your highest. So Uh, those are all things like I said that I've been able to learn and uh, get that from, you know, the lovelines of my family Yeah, um I'm gonna read you to you for a second It's like inception. Yeah, uh, it's from the athletic in 2020 It's when the first possibility of an extension with Cincinnati was even allowed Um, but it's just I don't know. I read it. I was like super inspired. Um, but basically Uh, the athletic kind of asked you like what would it mean for you to sign your second contract? This is more than two years back And you said that uh, it's all about the the people who put in so much sacrifices and wisdom into me throughout the years Everybody looks at jesse bates Um, but it's the people I've been surround surrounded by that deserve all the all the praise Um, and basically just saying that like because who I am today is What they raise me to be and be able to spend that time and that have that impact on other people is what I'm looking forward to Like that's what you said three years ago, right? And now here you are able to do it like So many decisions, right the decision to leave wake forest You know to leave really early to get to this point now, right? All the hard work all the sacrifices all the games never missing anything to get to this point Like what does it feel like you've been dreaming and talking about having these impacts? What's it like now that you're here? You've signed on the dotted line. You're still living your dream There's still better ahead for you, but I'm saying like this moment must really mean something because of what we've talked about Yeah, um, you know, like you said, it's it's a moment that you know a lot of guys in this league don't Get a chance to get to um and um being able like I said, I know the work that I've put in to get to this point so um Not that I only deserve this. I think my family deserves this like like I said in 2020. I think the people who Um instilled so much so many principles and values into my life They deserve this as well. So it's not just about how I feel or anything like that. Um I just think that it's just so much more that I can do. Um Then just getting an extension for the second contract Even though that's a huge thing and I'm blessed to And super humble to be able to go sign on that dotted line, but uh, there's just so much work that Is left to do. Um, I just haven't tapped in um with the inner the highest jesse base the third yet. Yeah Um, I'm going to continue to work to that point. Um Just because I got a nice Contract or whatever doesn't mean I'm going to be a different person. I'm going to be the same guy and walking this facility and um impact people's lives. Um on the field and off the field Oh, I love it. And I mean we're going to get a front row seat to kind of Yeah, what is it like level up jesse? Yeah, like a full level up like when you're playing like mario card or whatever Now when we were doing uh Research as we do for the podcast. Um It was really interesting to me how And I didn't know this about you before this but like how business minded you are and I'm not just talking about like Oh, like just financial stuff. I'm talking about like investing Strategies and I'm talking like stock dividends and all this stuff I have to tell you my mind does not work that way. I wish With everything in my heart being in soul that it did I so wish it did but I'm so I just I just don't think like that. So for you like why was Finance the finance world the business world something that you kind of gravitated towards. Yeah. Um, you know going second round Um, you know is a pretty good spot to get drafted there. Yeah pretty good. Sure. Um, but just always having that that humble mindset, I think of NFL stands for not for long and Always just trying to build myself and continue to grow in every aspect of my life And I think the investment part when you when you get money Whether you you can abuse it or you can change a lot of people's lives including People that's not even a part of your family. Um, so being able to have I have a great management team and Rye Sports Advisors that Helps me with that. Um, my mind isn't all the way developed yet, but yes, I have made, um, you know some great alternative investments and Continue to learn in that world as well Got a little bit more money to invest as well. So I'm very excited for that Part of the of my life as well. I think that's cool because again, I just I never think about Investing strategies and I think that's cool. And the fact that maybe Jesse can teach like a little seminar. Yeah, we should have like That's like a symposium or something. Yeah I'll be there Catch me in the front row You're you're joining a team with some people that you kind of know. Yeah already with um Yeah, through your agency, right a jay and kasey hayward and cow pits and some of those guys just having that level of familiarity um How nice is that going to be that you're not walking into a bunch of complete strangers? One, you know that there I mean casey's been around for He might be my age But you know what I mean? You've got these guys that are talented. It's true I gotta ask him where he was when I was in the fifth grade. Please do Please do. I would love to hear that answer. Uh, but having some familiarity, especially on the back end Must be nice and and you know, they're good. So you can see potential working with guys that you know Yeah, um, it's always nice to have familiar faces. Um, when you walk into a new uh, new place, um And like I said, I'm just excited to get to know the people. I don't know as well Um, but yeah, just having you know, even coach Jackson He was with me. Um, am I in my fourth year in Cincinnati when we went to the Super Bowl? um and being able to have those conversations just Um being comfortable asking the right questions There's you know, I'm saying there's always the right or wrong answer or questions or whatever um, just having that Being comfortable to be yourself. Um, and you know Come in here and work and gain the respect for the rest of the guys. Is there such a thing as a dp getaway? Yeah I was getting ready for a no comment. The reason why he asked that is because Gosh, this is probably like last year eight I did an interview with a j and kc together And I was kind of asking like when's the first time that y'all ever met and they're like, well, we have the same agent And we sometimes like, you know, the the db's get away and we go do some things and I'm like So when you signed I was like, well, shoot. We got to find out about the db getaways. Yeah, so, uh Every every year our agency has like a pro week where um, they bring all the pros in and I think it's right before a training camp. Right. So people are training um, and we'll have a couple of days where You're just getting, you know, some db work in with You know guys all over the league. That's what the agency and But I thought you were talking more about the db trip within the team. Um, I think that's something I think that's something that we have to corporate Where'd you like to go I don't leave that We're gonna say no comment to that one. We'll keep you guys updated. Let me know So, uh, before I got here, I covered the Raiders for a long time. Um, and the reason why I asked that is Rod Woodson Who I've met a couple times Great human also went to Snyder High School. Have you guys had a chance? Which is where Jesse, I'm sorry Let's include all the information, which is where Jesse was. Yes, in case no one knows Have you had a chance to meet one of the legends of the game any interactions with him any good Rod Woodson stories? Yeah, so, um, you know going to the same high school. Um, him being a Hall of Famer Um, having a bunch of success in the NFL. There's not a lot of Indiana guys that come out. Yeah, that's true Um, especially from Fort Wayne. So uh, like I said, just being able to have his um, he has like a memorabilia type of a showcase in our in our hallways, you know So being what 14, 15, 16, 17 years old, I was walking past that Thing every day and like one day I want to I want to have something like that in here, you know And now I have my retired jersey number five showcase in the hallway. So Yeah, this is like really cool having you know, Rod and then you have Jesse based a third there. So um, and then just talking about Rod as a person, um, he actually reached out to me and I talked to him I was able to keep in contact with him. He texted me before games and um, talk about picking off Derek Carr So Hopefully he'll have to send me some more You know tips on Derek Carr and catching some more interceptions since we'll see them two times a year So Rod's a Rod's a great guy great guy and um, any time a guy from Fort Wayne Uh makes it out and into the NFL. I try to Times 10 hype it up. So, uh, you know, sport weighing people or some good people Especially the ones that have gold jackets, man It makes you look cool. Right. Yeah now we know you got a ton of things to do but yeah, he's only been talking for about an hour Yeah, but to wrap up it's everyone's favorite part of the podcast. We do a rapid fire So Take a cleansing breath. These are serious hard hitting questions. Beware. Okay That is not true at all. That's not true at all. No, is there like a high score or something? Not really because there's no, well, there's no way to like do a point season Yeah, because I feel like it's not right or wrong But I mean if you want me to I can like judge your answers. Oh, yeah, for sure. That was a nine out of 10 All right, you ready? I'm ready. Okay. What is your favorite play of your career? Derek Carr interception Bringing it back It's probably your two or three. I'm not sure. It's probably one of my favorite interceptions Yeah, it was pretty cool. If you watch it on film, I think you you find it pretty cool. I'm gonna pull it up. Yeah It's supposed to be rapid fire. Yeah I love it. Sometimes the rapid fire takes on takes some turns It takes on a lack of a movie or tv show something you binge something you love something you want fans to watch Anything in that realm? Um, I like power power. Yes, we had a few of I'm not a big tv guy during the season, but right I need to make it on my shows a little bit But yeah, so off season. It's it's time to start cycling through them. All right. Um, your favorite player growing up Rob Wilson, okay Skyline chili yes or no That's what I I was hoping I actually in my five years I never had it If I wish you'd never had it I've lived here for 18 months I've never been to waffle house, which is like a georgia. No, no, so you're gonna have to make it out there at least The waffle house is like we're at that. Yeah, I give scott a hard time. He was also really weird about sweet tea Yeah, I'm from california, man. Think it's simple. It's simple. Yeah, let's keep it simple. All right, uh last one I'm trying to decide which one I want to Ask if you could have a lifetime supply of anything. What would you want to have a lifetime supply up? This is the first time this question has been asked on this trial Say a lot about me, let me see You know, I'm like all the chick filet chicken nuggets I would say Interceptions And you know what? If no, no, no if we're gonna grade the answers that one gets a 10 out of 10 perfect place Thank you so much for joining us. I'm scott that story Please rate review subscribe to the falcons in focus podcast brought to you by ticket master Subscribe to the falcons podcast network. Jesse. Thank you so much for your time The man is literally done like 12 interviews in a row. This is his last one. Go home. Welcome to the falcons, man We're so pumped to have you. Absolutely. I'm excited to get here and work now for sure All right, guys, we'll talk to you again with another great guest next time. See you