Jon Beason: 'I knew I would have my day again'

Jon Beason is humbled and energized by the accolades. He’s quick to deflect the attention but deep down takes great satisfaction in it all.

Since his arrival in a trade with Carolina on Oct. 4, the Giants have suddenly become a defensive juggernaut. They’ve allowed just two touchdowns in the past 18 quarters and just 11.8 points per game over the past four games to spark the team’s four-game winning streak.

To a man, his defensive teammates credit him. They say he’s the voice the unit needed. He's the leader they were longing to follow.

“I’m grateful when I get those comments,” Beason said Monday afternoon during a conference call. “I try not to read too much of the stuff that’s being written because I don’t want to be comfortable. There’s so much more I can do. There’s so much more I want to do.

‘I actually appreciate those comments because they’re putting more pressure on me to continue to do those things at a high level. I’m playing hard for them. I’m trying to fight every day for those guys. It’s not just one person. It’s a group effort.”

Beason, a three-time Pro Bowler, has 36 tackles (25 solo) in five games with the Giants. He had eight tackles and an interception in the Giants’ 27-13 victory over Green Bay on Sunday.

After six-plus seasons and major knee, Achilles and shoulder surgeries, the Panthers unceremoniously traded him to the Giants for a late-round pick. Beason was just 28 years old.

“As you get older in this league, you realize it’s a business,” he said. “You can sulk and feel bitter about the cards that were dealt. It’s no one’s fault, not even my fault, that I got injured.

“But it happened. A lot of times when people deal with setbacks, they fold and they allow them to control the situation and that’s it. This happened so this is the end of the legacy. This is the end of the book.

“For me, I knew I would have my day again. Being healthy was the No. 1 priority. Once I was healthy, I know who I am. I knew who I could be. To get the opportunity I could here, it was a blessing. I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunity and give back.

“A lot of times when you look back on stuff, you say, 'You know what, this is all part of the plan. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be right now.'"


(nj.com)