New York Giants head coach Joe Judge was sitting in the stands while his son was on the court at a Don Bosco Prep basketball game. Next to him was Nate Burleson, a retired NFL receiver and current media personality, whose son was also playing the game.
This is the image painted by Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, who recently spoke with Burleson about how he became the signing of Kenny Golladay’s Giants.
Away from his offices in East Rutherford, away from his fellow coaches and for a quiet moment, the judge reflected on Golladay’s incorporation. And a small talk with Burelson helped sell the idea, which eventually led to a four-year, $ 72 million deal.
“When Joe says something, you get the feeling that he really thought about it and wants to say it. When he asked about the receivers, I told him, with all due respect to the many good receivers out there, Kenny is the type, ”Burelson told The Post.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough for the judge who was already leaning in Golladay’s direction.
It matched the team’s feel, where Golladay was at the top of the wish list even before the franchise labels eliminated Allen Robinson (Bears) and Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) as chances.
Even though the Giants had sold themselves to the player, they still needed to know the person. And, in a real NFL rarity, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, New York flew Golladay to East Rutherford for a three-day meeting in which he was grilled by Judge, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, CEO Dave Gettleman and others.
In the end, everything checked. Golladay took care of his and never questioned the process.
“He says he understands the investment they make in him,” Burleson said. “If any Giants fan wonders, he’s a tough guy.”
During Golladay’s introductory lecture on Zoom, it became apparent that he was a man of few words. She is the anti-diva of the wide receiver. There is no ego, no narcissism and no selfishness, there is only Kenny. And that’s exactly what Burleson told Judge the Giants he would receive.