New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is a formidable force on the field. At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, his presence can’t be missed.
Opposing teams often double him, but last year that strategy opened the door for Kayvon Thibodeaux to rack up 11.5 sacks on the season. Still, Lawrence finds a way to improve every year.
“I think that comes from within and watching yourself and seeing things that you can improve on,” Lawrence said on Friday when asked how he does it. “Never a perfect player out there, so I’m hard on myself.
“Every day I come out here and I mess up on a little thing, and I write it down, and I correct it the next day, just so I’m making a new mistake everyday type of thing. That’s kind of my thought process.”
On top of that, other players have talked about how amazing it is to play next to him on the field. His incredible talent and genuine good-guy attitude have garnered him respect around the league.
Lawrence’s ability to sniff out a play and make incredible stops helps, too.
Given others’ perspectives of him, Lawrence was asked about the competition he provides for the guys around him.
“I compete like I’m not a top player. I think I compete like I was the seventh-rounder. I compete like I didn’t get paid. That’s just my mindset, and I think that’s where the respect comes from. They can see that, and they can see how hard I work. I think that’s the biggest thing for everyone,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence is out there competing like he’s fighting for his job, which is something many players can learn from. He gives everything he has on every single play, and he expects the same from his teammates.
“I think that’s my role on this team, is to push everybody. I don’t want to be at the Pro Bowl by myself,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been telling everybody. I wear some of my stuff, but I don’t want to be there by myself. I think the mindset for me is just to push everybody. If I’m on the field, run, push them. Just work hard and it translates to everybody.”
His hard work, determination, and desire to continually improve are what make Lawrence a phenomenal player. His character and work ethic make him a role model for young people everywhere, both on and off the field.
Lawrence makes the players on his team want to be better both on and off the field, and that’s not something you can teach.
