McLaurin excited for homecoming in Indianapolis

ASHBURN, Va. — From elementary college via his freshman yr of highschool, Washington Commanders broad receiver Terry McLaurin spent many Sunday afternoons within the fall sitting in part 540 of Lucas Oil Stadium, cheering on his favourite NFL workforce.

For these years of McLaurin’s childhood, his mother and father had Indianapolis Colts season tickets; these gameday experiences have been when he first fell in love with soccer. McLaurin shortly turned a fan of Colts star receiver Marvin Harrison, considered one of two individuals the Commanders standout stated he is been “starstruck” by after having the possibility to satisfy him when his son, Marvin Harrison Jr., was getting recruited by Ohio State.

For the primary time in his four-year NFL profession, McLaurin may have the possibility to play in his hometown on Sunday when Washington travels to Indianapolis. Talking with native media following Wednesday’s apply, McLaurin did not conceal that this weekend’s matchup will carry some further which means for him and his household.

“I attempt to do a superb job of simply specializing in what’s actually essential. Successful this sport is an important factor,” McLaurin stated. “However I would be mendacity if I stated it isn’t sort of cool to return to the place I grew up, the place my affinity for soccer began. … You simply by no means know the place your journey goes to be. You could not have informed me once I was seven years outdated that I would be enjoying within the NFL. Attending to share that second with my household and my shut buddies, that is fairly cool.”

This Week 8 contest between the Commanders and Colts is one thing the 27-year-old has had circled on his calendar because the NFL launched its schedule in Could. The broad receiver well acquired forward of his ticket requests, making this week much more stress-free than it in any other case might have been.

“Seeing the schedule this yr and the Indy sport, it is away, that was a fairly cool second,” McLaurin stated. “My subsequent thought was ‘I acquired to get on these tickets proper now.’ I already know it should be loopy. That is the enjoyable half about it. I get to share this second with a few of the folks that have helped me get to the place I am at at the moment.”

McLaurin estimated that roughly 70 individuals will likely be in attendance to observe him play, from members of the family to outdated teammates and coaches. McLaurin himself bought a number of tickets for his interior circle, one thing he joked was simpler on his pockets after signing a three-year, $71 million extension with the Commanders this previous July.

“I used to be lucky to have the ability to assist lots of people out and care for these tickets. I do not essentially do this so much, however this offseason sort of helped to have the ability to afford that,” a smiling McLaurin stated.

Though McLaurin has but to play in Lucas Oil Stadium as an NFL participant, this Sunday’s matchup is much from the primary time he is suited up for a sport on the venue. His highschool, Cathedral, received Indiana state titles on the stadium all 4 years he was there (McLaurin was additionally named the state’s Mr. Soccer in 2013). Then at Ohio State, McLaurin performed on the stadium twice, as soon as in 2017 and as soon as in 2018, when the Buckeyes received the Large Ten championship sport.

McLaurin has had loads of particular person success at Lucas Oil Stadium, too. In 2017, he was the Buckeyes’ main receiver within the college’s Large Ten title win over Wisconsin, recording 92 yards and a landing. Within the convention championship one yr later, McLaurin hauled in three passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-21 Ohio State victory over Northwestern.

When McLaurin was going via the pre-draft course of within the spring of 2019, he admitted he thought there was an opportunity the Colts might choose him. However within the second spherical of the 2019 Draft, Indianapolis drafted Parris Campbell, his Ohio State teammate and former roommate. As soon as the Colts selected Campbell, McLaurin figured a homecoming to Indianapolis was unlikely.

Seventeen picks later, Washington chosen McLaurin within the third spherical. The remainder is historical past.

“The chance offered itself to the place I used to be going to get drafted right here,” McLaurin stated. “I had the chance to return in right here and earn my spot actually early. I am not regretful or unhappy about any means how issues went as a result of I really feel like I am in the proper place the place I should be.”

Three seasons, two 1,000-yard campaigns and a profitable contract extension later, it is protected to say that Commanders followers agree.

McLaurin turned in his finest single-game efficiency of 2022 this previous Sunday, recording 5 catches for 73 yards and a landing in Washington’s 23-21 overcome Inexperienced Bay. McLaurin’s outing included two clutch receptions on Washington’s ultimate drive, with the latter basically icing the sport. It is also no coincidence that the wideout’s robust outing got here with Taylor Heinicke, the quarterback that is focused him probably the most of any signal-caller in his profession, beneath heart for the primary time this season.

Heinicke, who had the possibility to expertise his personal NFL homecoming when Washington visited Atlanta final fall, did not know this Sunday will likely be McLaurin’s first time enjoying in Indianapolis as a professional. He is assured Washington’s high wideout will likely be prepared for the chance and all the things that comes with it.

“Hopefully he places on a present like he did on Sunday. I feel that’ll be nice,” Heinicke stated. “I am positive his complete household goes to be there. If he can hold making performs like that, I feel it will be a particular one for him.”

All through his 13-minute lengthy session with the media on Wednesday, McLaurin emphasised a number of instances that whereas Sunday’s homecoming will definitely be particular for him, he cannot let the storyline get in the way in which of the duty at hand: beating the Colts.

“For me, I actually do not attempt to make the second too huge,” McLaurin stated. “It is cool, however on the finish of the day, it isn’t cool for those who lose. It is not cool for those who’re so centered on the extracurriculars that you aren’t getting your job finished. As a frontrunner and the participant I wish to be, I at all times wish to hold the primary factor the primary factor.”