Trevor Lawrence Clarifies Statements Made in SI Article About Motivation

Trevor Lawrence caused a stir in the NFL community this week with comments he made in a Sports Illustrated article concerning his commitment to the game of football.

"I want people to know that I’m passionate about what I do and it’s really important to me, but . . . I don’t have this huge chip on my shoulder, that everyone’s out to get me and I’m trying to prove everybody wrong,” Lawrence said in the piece that ran Wednesday. “I just don’t have that. I can’t manufacture that. I don’t want to."

His "more to life than football" mentality was misconstrued, Lawrence wrote on Twitter on Saturday. But he had talking heads wondering if the talented NFL prospect, who's expected to go No. 1 in the NFL draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 29, has the frame of mind to live up to the hype in the grown-up league.

Lawrence took exception to that and said he loves football "as much or more than anyone."

It seems as if people are misreading my sentiment.

I am internally motivated - I love football as much or more than anyone. It is a HUGE priority in my life, obviously. I am driven to be the best I can be, and to maximize my potential. And to WIN. (1/3)
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) April 17, 2021

The former Clemson quarterback, who was 34-2 as a starter for the Tigers, emphasized his motivation is his love for the game.

"I have a lot of confidence in my work ethic, I love to grind and to chase my goals," Lawrence tweeted. "You can ask anyone who has been in my life. That being said, I am secure in who I am, and what I believe. I don’t need football to make me feel worthy as a person."

Everything that comes with it. The work, the team, the ups and downs. I am a firm believer in the fact that there is a plan for my life and I’m called to be the best I can be at whatever I am doing.

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk lol. 🙌🏼
— Trevor Lawrence (@Trevorlawrencee) April 17, 2021

In the SI article, Lawrence explained that his happiness in life wasn't strictly tied to football, and that "it’s not like I need this for my life to be O.K."

"I want to do it because I want to be the best I can be. I want to maximize my potential," he told SI. "Who wouldn’t want to? You kind of waste it if you don’t.”