Davis shares what he learned about himself on his NFL debut
You wouldn’t think Jordan Davis needs a confidence boost.
After all, he’s a 6-foot-6-336-pound first-round pick who was an All-American and named the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award winner as the best defensive player in college football.
But Davis also deals with self-esteem issues.
“I think it’s more of an impostor syndrome, like I’m not supposed to be there,” Davis explained to NBC Sports Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon. “But you are really there for a reason.
“Your mind is your greatest ally and your greatest enemy sometimes. At the end of the day, you have to say to yourself: ‘I’m here for a reason’. “
It’s odd to think of someone like Davis addressing these issues, but it’s a very recognizable feeling for many people who don’t have to deal with it in such a public profession.
Davis is a 22-year-old who had a lot of pressure on him even before he became a first-round pick. He was understandably nervous before his NFL debut last Sunday in Detroit. But Davis played 22 shots and played well enough that fans were asking for more.
When asked what he had learned about himself in his debut, Davis said, “I’m ready.”
That game gave him confidence.
Davis said he has been dealing with these issues since before arriving in Georgia, but was soon tested in Athens. Despite being an important part of the Bulldogs rotation as a freshman, Davis said he was “battered by self-confidence” during the 2018 season.
While in college, Davis began meeting with a therapist to look into these issues. Also talk to family and close friends, the people you care about most in life.
“College is when I started dealing with mental health,” Davis said. “It’s a big deal.”
Now that he’s in the NFL and the pressure is building again, Davis still talks to a therapist. The stigma of league-level therapy sessions has largely vanished and this is especially true in the Eagles’ locker room, where some notable mental health issues have taken center stage in recent seasons.
Davis takes his mental health seriously. That’s why he talks to a professional and that’s why he sometimes takes breaks from social media in an attempt to surround himself with positivity.
Davis constantly remembers: you are made for it.
“I mean, I’m still struggling with it today,” Davis said. “But I have a great group of guys who help me get through it. I am not the first, I am not the only one, I will not be the last. Just knowing that keeps me prepared. I know I’m here for a reason and I just have to play up to that level. “
Even if he thinks too much, Davis is at least aware of it. And despite his draft status, he wants to play with a chip on his shoulder. Davis said he tries to play like he has something to prove.
Many times, he must first prove it to himself.
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