Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. already had a lot on his mind as he prepares for the biggest game of his life.
The eight-year NFL veteran has seen something of a resurgence since he was picked up by the Rams midway through the season, and he’s set to make the first Super Bowl appearance of his career Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But there’s a chance, albeit slim, that Beckham doesn’t participate in this game. As far as excuses go, though, his is pretty solid.
According to a report from Mark Long and Joe Reedy of the Associated Press, Beckham is “on standby.” His partner — Lauren Wood — is expected to give birth to their first child any day now, and there’s at least a chance that it could happen during Super Bowl 56.
“Literally my phone is right here just in case, so I’m on call,” he said, via the Associated Press. “I’m on watch. I’m on standby.”
Luckily, he’ll be pretty close to home. This year’s game will be held at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, making things a bit easier.
Still, while Beckham is prepared, he’s trying to avoid thoughts about it coinciding with the game. Understandable. He said that he doesn’t want to spend too much time thinking about the decisions he would have to make in that scenario ahead of the big game, per the New York Post:
“I don’t need you to put that energy in the air about the Saturday night or the Sunday thing,’’ Beckham said. “I think God has a different plan. I don’t need it during the Super Bowl. I want to see my child being born, so I’m on watch.”
Beckham’s potential absence is not a possibility Rams fans want to think about, either. While much of the attention has been paid (rightly so) to Cooper Kupp’s record-breaking season, Beckham finished the year with five touchdowns in his eight games with Los Angeles after being kept out of the end zone in his first six games with Cleveland.
But fear not. He told The Athletic‘s Lindsay Jones that he has a plan in the event that the phone starts ringing ahead of game time.
Odell Beckham’s partner is due to have their son any minute now. “I’m on standby,” Beckham said. So, what if that call comes Sunday morning? “I’d have to make a call back to him and ask him to wait 36 hours.”
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) February 11, 2022
We’ll hope Beckham doesn’t have to use the ace up his sleeve and that everything goes smoothly for him and Wood in what is certainly a very exciting time in their lives.
