DeShone Kizer claims comments were out of context

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeShone Kizer claim comments he made in an interview on Thursday were taken out of context.

Former Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer is considered one of the top five quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft, and as far as intangibles go, he isn’t short on confidence. Kizer made some strong statements about himself in an interview with Tom Pelissero of USA Today:

"“No one else can do what I can do. And I’ve truly figured out in this (draft) process, if I can maximize all my potential in every aspect of the game – this is bold – I do have the ability to be the greatest quarterback to ever play. Imagine taking (Tom) Brady’s intellect and Brady’s preparation and putting it on a guy with Cam Newton’s body. Why can’t I be the greatest? The only thing stopping me from it is me. That’s what’s driving me now.”"

On Thursday, Michael David Smith of PFT stated Kizer’s comments could be considered arrogant by NFL teams, in an article titled “DeShone Kizer: “I have Tom Brady’s brain in Cam Newton’s body.” Kizer responded with the following:

https://twitter.com/DKizer_14/status/855179363880497152

Kizer may have gotten a little too carried away with the comparison, although he did not make that statement verbatim. It appears as though Kizer was describing how the work he is willing to put in could one day lead to Brady-level proficiency, as opposed to just bragging about how great he is.

Regardless, it is always refreshing when athletes break the status quo instead of sticking to the same scripted, politically correct responses. If Kizer does indeed think he has Brady’s brain and Newton’s athleticism, good for him. If he’s willing to adopt a work ethic that rivals Brady, well, that wouldn’t exactly hurt his chances at success.

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Unfortunately, anyone who compares themselves to Brady or Newton is setting themselves up to be criticized, regardless of the context.