Darius Slay always believed his Philadelphia Eagles would fly to the Super Bowl in 2022.
Slay joined the Eagles via trade in March 2020 and hasn’t looked back. He has become a cornerstone of a fierce defence renowned for harassing quarterbacks with an NFL-leading 70 sacks - 15 more than any other team - as well as 17 interceptions, tied third in the league this past season.
He is known as ‘Big Play Slay’ for a reason: the cornerback has been named to five Pro Bowls, including two of his three seasons in Philadelphia. Across his 10-year career, Slay has snagged 26 interceptions and scored four defensive touchdowns as he is showing no signs of slowing down heading into his first Super Bowl.
The Philadelphia star defensive back is a confident guy. He has a tattoo of his own face on his shin, while he consistently refers to himself in the third-person. Slay can do as Slay pleases, of course, and he explained to Mirror Sport that he always believed his Eagles could go on a Super Bowl run this season behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and that vaunted defensive unit.
“We always knew we could go on a Super Bowl run, right from the start of training camp,” Slay exclusively told Mirror Sport in Phoenix, Arizona. “That was the goal, the main focus. We knew we had the team, the talent. Of course, we made some key additions along the way, but we knew this was a special group and we knew we could get the job done.”
Slay is right; the Eagles made moves in the last 12 months. After signing Haasan Reddick and James Bradberry in free agency, the Eagles acquired Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in a smart trade before adding duo Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh on one-year deals to beef up an already mean defensive line. The defence has helped the team stifle offences at will, with Gardner-Johnson thriving alongside Slay in the defensive backfield.
Slay himself is only in his third season with the franchise, although he immediately endeared himself to Philly’s notoriously passionate fans before he had even played a down. The 32-year-old announced he would wear no.24 as a tribute to late NBA legend - and Philadelphia native - Kobe Bryant after the trade was sanctioned.
While he switched to no.2 the following season, Slay and the Philadelphia fans established a special bond - and the cornerback ensures he always attempts to put on a show for the faithful.
“The Philadelphia fans are passionate for sure!” Slay declared. “They’re crazy and I’m thankful for them. I love Philly fans. I go out there and play hard for them, my family and this team each and every week and Super Bowl Sunday will be no different.”
Selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Slay experienced just two postseason trips during his seven years in Motor City while he could boast a winning record in three seasons. His third and final winning campaign with the Lions - 9-7 in 2017 - was Slay’s finest individual season as he led the NFL with eight interceptions (alongside Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans).
Slay was named a First-Team All-Pro as a result, but he’s moved on from individual accolades. He wants to hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday and wear a championship ring for the rest of his days.
“It feels great, man,” Slay said when asked how it feels to be on a successful team, with the sense of relief palpable in the tone of his voice.
“Shoot, I like winning. I’m cool with the individual stuff, but I like winning and right now, we’re winning. I’m at the Super Bowl - my first one - so I’m thankful.”
He’ll be even more thankful if Hurts outclasses Mahomes and the Chiefs to bring a second title to Philadelphia. The Eagles face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on Sunday.
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