Kayvon Thibodeaux Opens Up About Giants Defense, His Growth, and More

Thibodeaux headlined the "Chunky Sacks Hunger" event sponsored by Campbell's Chunky Soup.

Author:
Justin Melo
Publish date:
Oct 25, 2023 11:10 AM EDT

In this story:

New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is the backbone of the defense. Thibodeaux is enjoying a fantastic season, having recorded 5.5 sacks through seven contests. Thibodeaux is now teaming up with Campbell's Chunky for the Chunky Sacks Hunger National Donation Program.

Thibodeaux joined Giants Country for an exclusive conversation while hosting a food donation event at Community FoodBank. Thibodeaux discussed Sunday’s victory over the Washington Commanders, broke down his 5.5 sacks, discussed dropping in coverage, and more. Thibodeaux also touched on the success of rookie cornerback Deonte Banks.

Giants Country: You’ve teamed up with Campbell’s Chunky to host a food donation event at Community FoodBank as part of the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. The program is designed to fight food inequality. Why is this cause so important to you and your family?

Kayvon Thibodeaux: It’s another way for me to give back to a community that’s given me so much. This endeavor has given me an opportunity to partner with Campbell’s Chunky, a brand that has helped me give back to my community on so many occasions. We’re out here trying to sack hunger by delivering warm meals and groceries to the less fortunate. It’s important to me because I’m a product of my community. I want to help these people as much as I can.

We’re all in this together. Growing up, I wasn’t the poorest kid in my neighborhood, but I wasn’t the richest either. I grew up around a lot of people in need. I was always thankful for the things I was blessed to have.

Being in the NFL, it’s only right for me to continue feeling blessed while giving back to our wonderful New York Giants community. It’s a different initiative, but it’s all about me supporting this community.

Giants Country: It’s a terrific program, and you all are doing amazing work together to fight food inequality. You recorded 1.5 sacks in Sunday’s 14-7 victory over the Washington Commanders. Can you break down those plays for me? How did you win those reps?

Kayvon Thibodeaux: I’ve been keeping a positive mindset all season long. I think you’ve seen that growth from me this season. When football gets tough, I always find positive ways to spend my time. That’s partially why I’m at the Community Food Bank in New Jersey today. I understand that hard work always pays off. We picked up a big victory over a divisional rival, and we’re fighting for our season.

I’m still watching Sunday’s tape and breaking down those reps. I know on my 1.5 sacks, I had an opportunity to pin my ears back and rush the quarterback. That’s what I love doing. I’m blessed to play with so many amazing teammates. We have a terrific defensive line. We all worked cohesively against the Commanders. Everybody was doing their job, which allowed me to focus on my responsibilities. Good things happen.

Oct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) gestures to the crowd before a fourth down during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

Giants Country: Tell me about the growth you've enjoyed as a run defender this season. I feel like you're stopping the run at a better rate.

Kayvon Thibodeaux: We’re always going to emphasize stopping the run. Stuffing the run gives you opportunities to rush the quarterback on second-and-long or third-and-long.

I’ve been able to grow both on and off the field this season. We gave out one million meals to hungry families in our community last season. This year, we’ve upped that number to two million. I’m all about using football to have a positive impact on families.

I finished with 4.0 sacks in my rookie year. Campbell’s Chunky gave out 1,000 meals for every sack I recorded. I’m happy to say I’m already at 5.5 sacks this season (laughs). I’m trying to take my game to the next level. It’s having a positive impact both on and off the field. It’s only up from here.

Giants Country: You're doing everything for this defense. You're also dropping in coverage. How have you gotten more comfortable with those responsibilities in Year 2?

Kayvon Thibodeaux: It’s an area of my game that I had to focus on improving. I want to be a versatile defender. You have to be multifaceted to truly thrive as an elite defender in this league. I can be great because of all the talent I’m surrounded by on the field. My goal is always to be a terrific person off the field as well. I always want to bring our East Rutherford community together.

October 24, 2023: New York Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux poses with his mother, Shawnta Loice, during an appearance at the New Jersey Food Bank sponsored by Campbell's Chunky Soup. Thibodeaux and his mother helped pack boxes of nonperishable items to help feed those in need. — October 24, 2023: New York Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux poses with his mother, Shawnta Loice, during the "Chunky Sacks Hunger" event sponsored by Campbell's Chunky Soup. Thibodeaux and his mother helped pack boxes of nonperishable items to help feed those in need.
Courtesy of Campbell's Chunky Soup

Giants Country: What have you seen from rookie cornerback Deonte Banks this season? He recorded his first career interception on Sunday. He's been a shutdown player on the boundary. You’re in your second season, and you’ve had that first-year experience under your belt.

Kayvon Thibodeaux: I told him to keep going. Like I said earlier, hard work pays off. He’s been outstanding for us all season long. Those first couple of games are always a learning experience. They don’t always go the way you want them to.

He’s been playing great, but we all know everybody pays attention to the numbers. It was great for him to get his first career interception on Sunday. I told him that. I tried to share that knowledge with him. I had that experience last season. You have to make the most of your rookie year. I want his influence to grow as his career progresses forward.

Giants Country: What are your goals for the remainder of the 2023 season?

Kayvon Thibodeaux: Our goal is to win football games. We want to keep winning while building on Sunday’s performance. I’m also going to continue leaving a positive impact on as many families as possible.