Dan Quinn likes to talk about the Commanders gaining an identity. Tight end John Bates has gained quite an identity for the Commanders.
The media circled Bates on Thursday in the Commanders’ newly renovated locker room, asked about his identity, and how much pride he takes in being a good blocker.
“I think early on in college that was kinda something that helped me get onto the field the fastest,” expressed Bates. “Eventually, after doing that for a while, it got me on the field and I fell in love with it.”
The former Boise State tight end then told of how he actually was more of a receiving tight end in high school, going into his college program in Idaho. “Then I found my niche in that (blocking), so I take my tremendous pride in it. I know it doesn’t go unseen in the building.”
The average fan follows the ball every play and doesn’t take notice of how the other 10 players are performing their roles on a particular play.
“It’s something that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet,” said Bates. “But it’s something that helps win games for us. It’s something I’m willing to do.”
At this point, Bates was then asked what makes him a good blocker. The fifth-year veteran replied, “I think that when it comes down to it, it’s the want. The want to go out there and block my butt off. I think it can be overlooked, and an easy thing to take a play off, or not really take it seriously. But for me, I know how big a deal it really is for this offense for me to go out there and to do my job. So, I just take tremendous pride in going out there and just trying to do whatever I can with the team.”
