Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke's first press conference as a starting quarterback in the NFL gave him some time to reflect on an incredibly hectic week.
And he grew emotional, thinking about the person who he wishes could see him start on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
"My freshman year (of college), my father passed away unexpectedly the day before I was supposed to go home for winter break," he said on Thursday, his voice cracking a bit.
"He was my best friend. But I would say he was the best father. He did everything for me, and it hit hard. ... I tell you one thing, he would have been at every game. Every game, whether it was away, or if it was in London. He'd be there. He'd drop everything for me, which is what any great father would do."
Heinicke said his father was the person who got him a scholarship to play college football.
"He sat there and made a highlight video for me," he said, "mailed it to literally 250 colleges all around the East Coast and took me to camps every summer, 10 or 15 every summer, doing whatever he could to get me a scholarship."
Heinicke knows his father would be especially proud of him this week, because their hard work has paid off. He'll start in his first-ever NFL game in place of an injured Cam Newton on Sunday against Atlanta.
And it's an important tryout for him to prove he can be part of the evolving plans Carolina must put into place in case Newton's recovery takes longer than expected _ again.
"I've always dreamed about (this moment) as a little kid, growing up and watching NFL football," said Heinicke, who was in the formal press conference room for the first time and said, "Whoa" as he walked in to see the crowd waiting for him.
"(I dreamed about) eventually being a starter in the NFL one day. And it's been a long ride. But I've worked for this for very long. And I'm excited for the opportunity on Sunday."
