Darius Slayton Q&A: Newsday goes 1-on-1 with Giants receiver
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton Giants during OTAs in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 5. Credit: Ed Murray
Darius Slayton has been a steady presence for the Giants since he was drafted in 2019. This offseason, the team rewarded the wide receiver with a three-year, $36 million contract.
Slayton and Dexter Lawrence are the longest-tenured Giants. Ahead of his seventh season, Slayton — voted a captain for the first time — answered questions about being one of the Giants’ established leaders, the team's new quarterbacks, his contract and more on why the team can turn it around after going 3-14 last season.
As one of the longest-tenured Giants, do you feel like being a keeper of the tradition is important?
"I think that being a Giant means something. And obviously there's guys that came before me that laid a foundation here. I try my best to try to follow the example that those guys set, and try to maintain the standard that they set."
Does it feel strange being in this position as an elder statesman?
"Yeah, it definitely came upon me fast. It feels like a blink that I'm here now. But I embrace it. It's an interesting perspective because new guys are coming every year, and I feel like so much has changed, even from when I came into the league that changed in college. So, always learning something new. There's things I can learn from somebody that's even a rookie or second year player."
What was that first conversation like with Russell Wilson after he signed?
"He's a naturally positive, upbeat, energetic guy and that's how he kind of came off right away. Just 'excited to work and look forward to working with you guys.' And, you know, obviously I reciprocated that energy and I was happy we got him. So from Day One, he's been infusing that positive energy."
Is there anything that you've seen from him in person that maybe you couldn't tell from just watching him from afar?
"You might see a piece of somebody’s personality on TV or whatever. But in football you spend so much time around each other that you really get to see the real of somebody. Somebody like Russell, you might meet him here and there, like, oh, he just had a good day. Until you're around him every day, and you're like, every day is a good day. Every day he wakes up with joy and positivity and positive energy, which is super rare in human beings, period. So you know, having that consistency with as much time around each other allows you to really see the true character in guys."
When the Giants rewarded you with that contract, did it sink in that, hey, not only is my future secure, but this is where I want to be?
"Yeah, for sure. I mean, I'm grateful to be a Giant. I'm grateful that I was 'born a Giant.' It's all I've known in my career and this is one of the most prestigious franchises in the NFL. So it's definitely a blessing to have been here as long as I have been, and just a testament to them and them believing in me, and obviously, I was super appreciative of the contract this year."
You've only been part of one winning season. What would it mean to help this team get another one this year?
"It’d mean the world. Every team I've been on a part of my life I've helped win. So coming here I want to do nothing more. And the more that I've met guys like Carl Banks and Michael Strahan, Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, the more of these guys that came around. I met these guys and gotten to know these guys, you know, the more that I want to win for them. A lot of our former Giants are on television and whatever. You know, I don't want, you know, Michael Strahan going on Fox NFL Sunday, and having every week be like another Giants loss. I want him to be able to go in there, beat his chest with Terry Bradshaw and all those other guys who played for great organizations, and be like he's the one sitting up there like, look how my organization is doing. I've gotten to know a lot of those guys, I think it's kind of a unique thing for me, and definitely something that I want to try to get us back where we were when they left."
What's one thing that surprised you about Jaxson Dart?
"He’s come along super fast. It’s a hard league to be a quarterback, hard league to be a rookie quarterback, and it's a hard system to be a rookie quarterback. And he’s learned fast, he's played sharp fast and that doesn't just happen. It’s a testament to him and whatever he's doing behind closed doors is clearly working. It's been awesome to see him grow at the pace he’s grown."
What's something the receivers do to bond off the field?
"Different things. You know, we might have a dinner here and there, maybe go bowling or something. Maybe play video games together. The NFL’s a little tough, because there's so many guys, and people do so many things. Just try to do little things, you know, simple things that normal people would do, maybe go Go-Karting."
Who’s the best bowler?
"Me for sure."
What’s your high score?
"Either 215 or 220."
Favorite players growing up?
"I'm from Atlanta, so [Michael] Vick was king, LaDainian Tomlinson, Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones are probably my top four."
You were the Giants’ nominee for NFL Man of the Year last season. Your parents have inspired you to give back. What did it mean learning from that example?
"Remembering how things were for me growing up and maybe not being from the most financially blessed situation, I knew that as soon as I got to the NFL, as soon as I was able to give back, that was something that was in my heart, and something that was always on my mind. I credit my parents because growing up, my mom used to always say, even when we didn't have nothing to give, she would always say if you ever get anywhere in life, make sure you give back. So that was always embedded in me, and something that, as soon as I was able to give, you know, I tried to start giving."
Last season’s 3-14 record was tough but you’ve kept that positive attitude. What makes you optimistic about this season’s outlook?
"I think this year our roster is very competitive. I think we have a good compilation of players that complement each other but are also very talented. There reaches a point at any level of football — high school, college, whatever — when you have a certain amount of talent on your team, you know, the expectation is to be successful. So I believe that we've done a good job of compiling that talent and now the expectation is to be successful, and now we have to go out there and do so."
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
