Hobby Musings: Conversations with Jayden Daniels and Trevor Etienne – Interview
Hobby Musings: Conversation with Jayden Daniels and Trevor Etienne – Two of the biggest names in college football this season are LSU QB Jayden Daniels and Florida RB Trevor Etienne. Thanks to Onyx, I had the chance to catch up with the pair at the National as they talked everything from their strangest autograph request to what they want to do with their first NFL contract.
Hobby Musings: Conversation with Jayden Daniels – Interview Transcript
Editor’s Note: Some text has been altered from original audio for clarity.
Jayden Daniels
KS: Alright Mr. Daniels, I got to ask. How surreal is it to see yourself on a trading card right now?
JD: It was dope to see myself on a trading card. Growing up as a kid, you know you collect cards, seeing all your favorite players, so it’s dope now that I’m on a trading card.
KS: You talked about collecting growing up. Was there anyone in particular you liked to get?
JD: Michael Vick. That was my favorite quarterback growing up, so a Mike Vick card.
KS: NIL has opened up a lot of opportunities for college athletes. For you personally though, what has it meant?
JD: it means a lot. It’s a blessing. I mean, the main focus is really on the season, but it’s a blessing. I can get out there and start earning money off my name, image and likeness.
KS: What is the first time someone ever asked you to sign an autograph?
JD: Probably when I was back in high school. One of the little kids asked me to sign something for them, so that was probably the first time.
KS: What is the strangest thing someone has ever asked you to sign?
JD: Probably a kid. I signed a baby before. It’s pretty wild.
KS: Is there anyone whose autograph you want to get?
JD: Not right now. Hopefully in the future. Probably like Lamar Jackson, those guys, you know, be able to swap jerseys with them in the future, but that’s in the future.
KS: So, looking ahead a little bit, if you’ll indulge me, when you do get drafted in the NFL and you sign your contract, what’s the first thing you want to do with that contract?
JD: I don’t know, probably help out my mom, give my mom something nice. All the sacrifices she made for me, so I’ll look out for her.
Hobby Musings: Conversation with Trevor Etienne – Interview Transcript
Editor’s Note: Some text has been altered from original audio for clarity.
KS: Alright Mr. Etienne, I have to ask you. How surreal is it to see yourself on a trading card?
TE: It was actually crazy man. Just going up and looking at all the trading cards and to actually see yourself on one, it’s like everything is just kind of full circle really.
KS: Your brother is in the NFL, has already had a lot of success. Has he given you any advice on kind of how to interact with fans, signing autographs or that side of the business?
TE: Definitely. The biggest advice he gave me about that is just enjoy it. You kind of get caught up in the moment just signing. Get to know the people that you’re working with too also. That’s kind of some of the biggest advice that he gave me on that aspect.
KS: When is the first time someone asked you to sign an autograph?
TE: It was crazy. I was in high school, and the fans would come up to me after the game and ask for my autograph. To me it was crazy, because I’m in high school, and I didn’t even have an autograph. I didn’t know what my signature would be at the time.
KS: What is the strangest thing someone has asked you to sign?
TE: A kid asked me to sign his underwear one time. That was crazy.
KS: Did you sign them?
TE: No.
KS: NIL has obviously changed the landscape of college athletics. What has it meant you personally?
TE: I mean, I really see it as a blessing honestly. I mean, just seeing how my brother went through college and just talking to him. They used to get paid like $1500 a month. Now we get way more than that. So, I’m just blessed honestly to be in this position.
KS: So, one thing I noticed when you were signing your autographs. You held the cards sideways. Do you sign all of your autographs that way?
TE: Yeah. When I’m doing a big signing, it lets me relax my hand so it’s not as hard on my hand. It’s kind of a trick. You gotta figure it out, adapt to the signing.
KS: Who do you think has the better autograph? You or your brother?
TE: I feel like I do. Definitely. It’s kind of similar, but I feel like I do. I definitely do.
KS: You talked about not having a signature earlier on. Is it something you practiced when you realized this is something you’d be getting asked to do a lot?
TE: Yeah. Me and Montrell actually practiced it all the time. We just sit in meetings. If we’re not doing anything, we’ll just start signing the papers. It’ll be a whole paper covered with just signatures.
KS: So looking ahead if you indulge me. After you get drafted what’s the first thing you want to do with your contract?
TE: Honestly. Just start saving money. Look for a way to make my money double. Honestly. That’s the biggest goal I have.
LS: I’m going ask you one non-memorabilia question here. Again, just looking ahead to when you’re in the NFL, what’s it going to be like playing against your brother if that scenario happens?
TE: I mean, luckily, we both play offense, but that’d be crazy, man. I know that’ll make my mom super proud. That’s something that I know she can’t wait to see.
KS: Is she going to get the dual jersey made up?
TE: Oh, hopefully. She better, she can’t wear one and not the other.
Hobby Musings: Conversations with Jayden Daniels and Trevor Etienne
Kelsey’s ability to bring hobby coverage to the mainstream sports fan has been a true asset. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Hobby Musings. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
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