After his comments from the “Pardon My Take” blew up, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta met with the media on Friday afternoon to clarify and expand upon his thoughts, while he continues to seek a long-term deal in Detroit.
Here is a full transcript of his session, with the media questions paraphrased.
What was your reaction to how people received your comments?
“I feel bad if there was any sort of distraction to the team or my teammates or the coaches. But I think there was maybe a bit of a misconception with—I guess—my intentions are: I want to play for this team. I give everything that I have. My teammates do, as well. They all love me, respect me, and support me. And they want to see me be happy and compensated.”
Where does your frustration stem from?
“I guess I wouldn’t expect anybody else to really even care, but, emotionally, for me and my family, it’s an important thing for us. We want to have stability. We’re excited; in the upcoming months, we’re going to have our first kid, me and my wife. We’re going to welcome our baby girl into the world in Metro Detroit. We want to be here with the Lions.
“And I guess I’m getting emotional about it, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s really a business. And you have to respect what the front office is doing, because they’re the ones calling the shots. They’re the ones that brought me in. It’s my first team. They’ve been nothing but supportive of me and my career.“
How do you compartmentalize contract negotiations and playing?
“I guess you learn it early in your career that you’re being employed and you’re being compensated to do good work for this team, and if you’re not doing good work, you’re not going to be here.”
Do you regret that emotional comments came out in the midst of business?
“I don’t know if I regret it. I just don’t expect other people to understand. We’re very blessed. I’m getting paid millions of dollars this year. So you have to take it with a grain of salt. It’s coming from a stance of I want security for me and my family, but also when I reflect on other people in the league, I feel like I’m doing just as good of a job, if not better. And I want to be paid like those guys.”
Any updates/progress in talks?
“Um, no. I don’t think so.”
Are you using these frustrations to fuel your play at all?
“I don’t think so. I’ve not really changed the way I prepare. I’m going to give it my all every week. Starting with this weekend, huge game coming up. Trying to take a lead in the division, go 1-0. See what we can do there.”
Did you expect comments to blow up?
“I think the media will always take small stories and run with it and turn them into big ones. And when they splice together comments, anything can seem more harsh or bigger than the reality really is. I’m one person in a ginormous cog, ginormous machine in this building, and I want to continue to do my part, and hopefully something happens soon.”
Where are the frustrations with negotiations? Not enough money? Guarantees?
“I don’t know if I care to expand on that, because we could be here all day. (I) take that up with my agent.”