In 2014, the New England Patriots’ game against the Miami Dolphins was their last of the season, but Michael Floyd’s first game with the team.
For the former Arizona Cardinal, the stakes were high as Floyd was looking for redemption.
“I was just blessed because I was able to get a chance to be out there that year and to play with a team that’s on the run to become a champion,” Floyd told Prime Time Sports Talk. “I was excited to be a part of that.”
When he was in the tunnel ready to take the field, Floyd was feeling a slue of emotions.
“It was just butterflies,” Floyd said. “I was just glad I got the chance and the opportunity to be out there.”
The Notre Dame alum knew he had to make a lasting impression. In the third quarter with the team only up by six, Floyd put his stamp on the game tattooing cornerback Tony Lippett which paved the way for Julian Edelman to score.
“That’s just the way I play ball, that’s the way you win games,” Floyd said. “You help each other out and that’s a big emphasis with one of the guys in your position catching the ball, your job is to help them move the ball down the field in any way possible and I just did my job.”
Floyd said his block may not be looked at too positively by the league today.
“I gave [Lippett] a hit that now probably would be a fine,” Floyd laughed. “I would try to think twice before I did that now, but it was all good.”
The hit did more than just help Edelman get to the end zone. It was symbolic of Floyd’s journey back. His redemption and his hunger to keep putting the helmet on on Sundays.
“It just all came together,” Floyd said. “Just the excitement and happy that I was out there and being with my teammates and make a play that sprung one of my teammates for a touchdown.”
Earlier that game, Floyd scored a touchdown in a fight with multiple Dolphins to reach the goal line.
All he really wanted out of the whole experience was to just be able to play. When the ball hit his hands, he did not want anyone else getting the chance to punch it in.
“Whenever you get that close, a light clicks in your head that if you don’t get the touchdown, they’re going to give it to somebody else to score,” Floyd said. “You have to make the most of it and that’s what I did.”
A touchdown he will never forget quite literally as Floyd has the same ball he scored with on that play.
“I keep every ball that I score a touchdown with,” Floyd said. “I [definitely] do still have that one.”
Floyd ended the season a Super Bowl champion. Something that made him reflect on how lucky he was to achieve a feat that seemed so out of reach just weeks before.
“It’s a great feeling knowing there’s guys out that have been playing twice as long as you that’s never been able to get there or win one,” Floyd said. “It’s just a great feeling and I’m blessed that I got the opportunity to share that experience with my teammates and my family and all my friends.”
One dream lead to another as Floyd was able to play football in his home state as a Minnesota Viking. Being close to home came with its perks as well.
“It saved me a lot of money from flying people down,” Floyd laughed. “It’s always good for people you don’t talk to that much to see me come play a game for the first time since high school. Everybody was really great about it and it was just a good feeling being home.”
Floyd made it to the NFL, he went on a path of redemption winning a Super Bowl. But it still is not enough for him as he wants to continue becoming a better player.
“I think I still have a lot in the tank to be successful,” Floyd said. “I think the past couple years wasn’t really showing what I’m made of and what I can do so I gotta go out there and show that I can be a great receiver in this league.”
Floyd, now a Baltimore Raven, praised his young new quarterback Lamar Jackson and is focused on getting in sync with him this coming season.
“Lamar’s a confident dude,” Floyd said. “That’s what you need in a quarterback and right now I think it’s just getting timing and trust with him that you can be reliable whenever he needs it.”
Floyd also praised his fellow Ravens receivers.
“I’m happy that I’m in a room with a great group of guys,” Floyd said. “That only makes you even more motivated to want to be successful as a team so I think it’s good how they brought me in with open arms and they’re very helpful and I appreciate that.”
