No amount of experience could ever quell the anxiousness Darius Slay has felt in the most pivotal moments of life.
The Eagles cornerback became a father at a young age and was scared to change diapers once he got a whiff of them. He said he was “nervous as [expletive]” when he had to speak in front of his team after becoming a captain. And despite thriving at the highest level under the most brutal of scrutiny, he continues to feel on edge before every game.
Simultaneously, Slay exudes unparalleled confidence in who he is. He does, after all, correct anyone who calls him Darius. He would rather be called by his surname.
“I slay at video games. I slay at basketball,” he said with a laugh at the Super Bowl's media night. “I slay at everything I kinda do.”
Slay found a way to live out his dream while raising his kids with the help of his family. He feels the weight of team captaincy has only boosted his performance. And despite playing in his first Super Bowl on Sunday against the Chiefs, he looks forward to it.
He expects any nerves will wash away following the opening kickoff. They usually do.
“It's a long journey,” Slay said. “It's my first time making it past the first round (of the playoffs), and I'm in Year 10. I'm just very thankful for this moment. I'm just cherishing it.'
“I'm ready to play.”
Darius Slay getting the @Eagles crowd pumped up ?? @bigplay24slay pic.twitter.com/gcXMQVFU6M
— NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2023
Darius Slay Super Bowl Prop Bet
Slay's Over/Under for total tackles in NFL betting is 3.5 as of Tuesday, Feb. 7. He has 14 tackles in his last four games.
Darius Slay Drafted By Detroit
Slay was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Lions out of Mississippi State. But he wasn't a full-time starter right away.
Rihanna is performing for the halftime show of his first Super Bowl. It's fitting for Slay. His favorite song by her is “Work,” which features a chorus with that very word repeated.
He had to work to be drafted at all. He had to work his way into the starting lineup. And he had to work to become an All-Pro by his fifth season, a year in which he led the NFL with eight interceptions.
He credits this dedication for his success. He didn't shy away from challenges. In fact, he believes playing cornerback is nearly as demanding as quarterback, the most burdensome position in sports.
But Slay loves it all the same.
“You're going out there to dominate a person,” Slay said. “That's why I like defense.”
BIG. PLAY. SLAY.
Another @Eagles INT in the first half! #FlyEaglesFly @bigplay24slay