The Commanders in a meeting room, head coach Dan Quinn asked the returning players to all stand to their feet and move to another seat.
He asked them to move around and get to know some of the new players. Quinn encouraged players who didn’t know other players to make an effort at friendship because some of these guys could become your best friends.
LIVE: P Tress Way speaks with the media to begin offseason workouts https://t.co/AUsBaRsFMQ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 3, 2024
Tress Way first made an active roster with the then Redskins back in 2014. This is now Way’s 11th consecutive NFL season, and Quinn is his third head coach with Washington.
Way, is not only a veteran, he is a wise one. He sees beyond a football. He spoke of Quinn’s task, “How can you galvanize all of us and bring us together towards a common goal?”
The former Oklahoma Sooner understands a team has many individual members yet comes together and, therefore, must work together for the common good of the whole. “Everybody has unique strengths, unique gifts…I just like to empower guys regarding the things they do well.”
Rather than pointing fingers at coaches, Way was already publicly declaring the players’ responsibilities: “It’s up to us, the players, to get to know one another, to create this bond, and then go win some football games.”
Upon hearing the Commanders’ new coach announced as Quinn, Way texted him congratulating Quinn. Way came to Quinn’s office a few days later, and the two chatted for 20-25 minutes. “I bet three minutes of it was about football, and all he (Quinn) asked about was how I got into the league.” Way elaborated, saying he, too, was able to ask some questions of Quinn, and he will always remember that day for the way he was able to get to know Quinn.
Way talked truthfully about how all NFL teams are very positive this time of year, thinking this year will be better than last year. But he then added, “It’s so authentic the way (Quinn) is delivering a message to you…it’s very impressive, it’s fun.” Way should know, witnessing these times over a decade.
Here’s hoping Dan Quinn will bring lots more fun through winning games. That would be a new experience for Commanders fans.
