Taylor Heinicke to Commanders Fans: 'I Just Cannot Thank You Guys Enough'
We all have our favorite football players, and Washington Commanders fans are no different.
Some of them are talented beyond normal human ability, and some just make watching Commanders football better.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke falls into that second category, although there were moments that thrust him into the first, which only reinforced the love that much of the fan base showed him during his time in Washington.
On his way out after signing a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, Heinicke took time to make sure those fans knew that their support wasn't lost on him.
"This team, and the people of Washington, I just cannot thank you guys enough for the support and encouragement you showed me," Heinicke wrote in a post published by The Players' Tribune. "It might seem like a little think, but there's this one moment from that last home game against Dallas this past year that will stick with me forever...I saw this guy in the stands holding up a sign. Super Simple. Nothing fancy. It said, "THANK YOU TAYLOR H!" Seeing that sign, I basically lost it right then and there...And it helped me realize that people saw me...They get me. They get what I'm all about."
In the letter to Commanders fans, Heinicke acknowledges some human weaknesses that nobody would hold against him, like wondering if his playoff performance against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers might earn him more time in the NFL.
But he also reminds us of why it wasn't his arm that made him a fan and locker room favorite. It was him.
Speaking of his arm.
"I know who I am. I don't have the strongest arm," Heinicke acknowledged. "I throw a decent amount of picks. I do some dumb stuff sometimes out there. I cop to all that...But I also fight like hell...So, at the end of the day, I hope that I still gave you all something to cheer for."
And cheer they did, the 'Heinicke Hive' as it became known was out in full force anytime their favorite quarterback gave them a chance to be his champion.
For those who look at the game from a more functional standpoint, the infatuation with No. 4 was a bit frustrating at times.
But getting to cover Heinicke up close and personal during the 2022 NFL season, it was quickly easy to see why the infatuation was there from fans and why he had earned the love of his teammates.
He's a real dude.
And as we stand here today, he's the last quarterback drafted in 2015 to start an NFL game.
Not Heisman Trophy winners Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota who were selected Nos. 1 and 2 that year.
It wasn't either of them, but Heinicke who was the last quarterback standing after going undrafted that same year.
That playoff performance didn't just earn him a couple more years in the NFL.
Heinicke earned respect, the adoration of Washington fans, and a two-year contract to play for his hometown Falcons where his idol, Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre started his own storied career.
"I felt like it wouldn't be right to leave without telling you all how much you've meant to me," Heinckie wrote as he said his goodbyes. "I'm truly grateful for everything this fan base has given me these last few years. Thank you for embracing me and supporting me while I live out my dream."
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.
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