After a disappointing 1-6 start to the season and a season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson, the Browns turned to Jameis Winston at center for their Week 8 meeting with the Ravens. Making his first start since 2022, Winston lost himself in the moment and owned it.
Winston was blocked from the start and torched the Baltimore defense to the tune of 27 completions for 344 yards and three touchdowns, including a 38-yard throw to Cedric Tillman that gave Cleveland the lead for good with 59 seconds left.
Staying true to his form, the former No. 1 overall pick was an incredible quote leading up to the game and even better during his exit interview after Cleveland’s 29-24 win.
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Jameis Winston postgame interview
“Man, there’s a white boy from Detroit that I really admire named Eminem,” Winston said when asked about returning to the field as an NFL starter. “He said, ‘You only have one shot. Don’t miss your chance to strike. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”
You only have one chance
Don’t miss your chance to explode
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime– @Eminem
– JAMIS WINSTON@Browns QB ELECTRIC chatting after the game with @Amanda_Balionis pic.twitter.com/LC9hH7rCip— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 27, 2024
Winston continued, saying, “I know I have to quote Eminem—he’s from Detroit, he’s from next door. But I’m just grateful, I’m grateful that God gave me this opportunity, I’m grateful for my teammates. , my coaches and these wonderful fans.”
Although he was a little unable to remember the words, Winston again remembered Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” a feature track from the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile.
MORE: Comparing Brown’s offense with Deshaun Watson vs. Jameis Winston
As impressive as Winston’s statistics were, he was just as impressive every time the microphone recorded what he said on Sunday.
There was a gem in which he emphasized the importance of opportunities for his teammates before telling them they needed to “display the names that are written on their helmets” before realizing, “Well, we don’t have any stickers.”
one game at a time, together @Jabowins | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/bFBbNi64TQ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 27, 2024
Moments later, Winston gave an on-field pregame interview in which he preached the same unwavering faith he spoke of during the postgame interview.
“Unshakable faith. Absolute faith.”
– @Browns QB Jameis Winston lets his faith lead the fight against the Ravens | @Amanda_Balionis pic.twitter.com/gl5ymzN8aV
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 27, 2024
Cleveland is now 2-6, but with Winston under center it has new energy for the final nine games of the season. The Browns will have to remain steadfast in their faith if they want to have success in a season of this magnitude.
In Week 8, Winston didn’t miss his chance. He and the Browns host the Chargers in Week 9 and hope to continue to build on that momentum. If they don’t, it will come back to reality.