The fifth-year veteran wants his mentor to be around for the long term.
In yesterday’s press conference announcing his new one-year deal, Cincinnati Bengals defense end Joseph Ossai made it very clear he wants the organization to figure things out with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
“I’m praying, selfishly, selfishly, I’m praying they keep that special guy, ‘cause he’s a great guy,” Ossai said. “He’s a great mentor. He’s a great friend.”
The pass rusher went on to say, “He’s done so much for me. The biggest thing I’d say is he helped me get over that mental hump from year three to year four.”
He went on to explain that Hendrickson helped him learn to prioritize his body to prevent more injuries.
“He’s everything I want to be in his football life and out of football life,” Ossai said. He then shared that Hendrickson doesn’t like being asked questions but rather prefers leading by example. “He would say it a lot, ‘It’s not me. I’m being used by God’, and I think he enjoys that.”
We’ll see if the Bengals can this deal done sometime soon to keep the engine of the defense in Cincinnati.
