“I’m very competitive, it doesn’t matter what it is,” Mariota said. “Whether it’s playing cards or video games, I try to win at everything. I don’t really talk about it a lot. I just try to go about my business and do it.”
Here’s what Mariota hopes his teammates would say about his huddle presence: “That he’s a great teammate, and that he wants to win. He’ll do anything for his teammates, and he’ll do anything to win the game.”
His leadership style?
“I tend to put my arm around a guy and explain how I saw something, and maybe we could work on doing something better together,” Mariota said. “I’m not a guy that’s gonna get in your face and yell at you. At the same time, I’m kinda still learning as I go through this leadership process. There’s always different ways to lead, and you can find ways that best fit a guy. You kinda find out what works for certain players and what helps them become a better person, and a better player.”
Does he get angry in the huddle?
“Yeah, I guess … it depends on the situation. It’s not something that happens regularly, or often,” Mariota said. “You really can’t wear your emotions on your sleeve. I believe in that as a quarterback, because your teammates really feed off of your energy. If you’re kinda up and down like a roller coaster, your team’s gonna be that way. If you’re able to kinda keep a level head, and maintain your poise, in any situation, I think a team will respond in how you’re able to handle certain things.”
He loves big games.
“I love the challenge,” Mariota said. “I love the obstacles and the adversity. … I love playing in those types of atmospheres. There’s so much momentum swings, you constantly have to be on your A game.”
Mariota said he enjoys the pressure.
“I think it’s an opportunity to kind of really learn about yourself, and learn about how you handle things and grow as a person,” Mariota said.
