Cowboys LB Eric Kendricks shares his late father's heartwarming last words to him
As someone who lost his father last year, I've gotten the opportunity to think about what was said and what remained unsaid between he and I. This is not a sob story from me so I won't bug you with any of the details, but as many sons out there can probably relate to, fathers […]
As someone who lost his father last year, I've gotten the opportunity to think about what was said and what remained unsaid between he and I. This is not a sob story from me so I won't bug you with any of the details, but as many sons out there can probably relate to, fathers and sons rarely get to discuss their emotions and feelings all that much.
So anytime a specific memory about a rare wholesome moment crosses my mind, it's easy to crack a bittersweet smile. Something similar happens when hearing to others talk about such memories.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks recently had one of those when talking to reporters during the second week of OTAs prior to the upcoming mandatory minicamp.
It wasn't the biggest of moments nor the most emotional one, but I found it heartwarming nevertheless and it strung a chord.
"My father passed away this past year when I was in LA, so, you know, I feel like he'd be proud of me too," Kendricks told reporters when asked how did his dad feel about him playing for the Cowboys.
"He knows that I made the right decision for myself," he added, revealing his dad's last words to him. "The last thing he told me was that I still looked good out there playing and that I hadn't lost a step."
Dads, man. Even a simple message like that can be enough to stick with you as evidenced by Kendricks recently bringing it up.
"He was always right, always keeping it honest with me," said Kendricks with a smile on his face.
Kendricks found himself in the middle of controversy after having agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason before changing his mind and signing with the Cowboys instead, reuniting with Mike Zimmer. But Eric believes his father would've approved and that's more than enough.
Additionally, Kendricks talked about his brother Mychal, who last played an NFL game for Washington in 2020.
"I think he was the last person I talked to before I made the decision," Kendricks revealed. "He's been a huge influence on me. My brother is 17 months older than me, and he kind of went through all the steps—college, NFL—before I did. He saw free agency first, so he's the one I bounce ideas off of and talk to truly about the game."
