Megan Cloherty, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Ryan Kerrigan’s rookie days are behind him. The linebacker some experts were hesitant about when he came out of college has proven himself to Redskins fans and is feeling good coming back to Ashburn to start the 2012 season.
Kerrigan took a moment during training camp to share some facts fans might not know about the defensive stand-out.
Kerrigan, who hails from Muncie, In., thought he was used to humidity like the kind a Washington summer can deliver. But he admits working out for the first time with the team in what felt like 105-degree weather on the first day of training camp was brutal.
“It was a hot one today,” Kerrigan says. “I’m from Indiana and it’s pretty humid there. This is one of the hottest days I’ve ever experienced. But, I’m glad it was on the first day. You’re going to be tired and sore no matter what, so I’m glad it was hot today.”
The team’s new acquisition of quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Robert Griffin III has Washington fans re-energized about the team. That excitement is something Kerrigan says is motivating players in the locker room.
“He’s a huge breath of fresh air for this franchise,” Kerrigan says, referring to RGIII. “He’s kinda turned the tide. He’s a humble young man. He’s obviously a very good athlete. Hell, he’s a Heisman Trophy Winner. He has been great for us and he has been a leader already.”
Kerrigan’s Stats:
- Favorite Band: Zak Brown Band
- Favorite snack: “The Cookie Monster” at Scottie’s Brew House in Muncie, In.
- Pre-workout song: “Whatever sounds good at the time. Could be a country song, could be a rap song.”
- Nickname: R.P.K. His initials are P.R.K, which stand for Patrick Ryan Kerrigan, but he says people seem to mess up the order a lot.
While he says his personal goals for this season don’t involve reaching any specific numbers, if Kerrigan has a repeat of his rookie year, fans won’t be disappointed. The Redskins No. 16 draft pick in 2011 had 7 1/2 sacs, 22 assists, 1 interception and a touchdown against the Giants in the first game of last season.
The NFL picked Kerrigan as Rookie of the Week during the 2011-2012 season. As far as what the upcoming season holds, Kerrigan is nothing but optimistic.
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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
