Despite a year punctuated by injuries, Benjamin St-Juste experienced a baptism of fire in the NFL last season and can take a lot of positives from this first professional experience with the Washington Football Team, today under the name of the Commanders.
“I was not surprised [de mon succès] because I put in the work and I was well prepared, but I was happy with my fluidity and the process between college and the NFL. It’s work and the players are very serious. I didn’t have too many mental or psychological difficulties adapting to the players, the coaches and the environment,” admitted St-Juste, who was passing through the 5 to 7 Wednesday.
“I was seeing progress every week. It was boring to have the concussions in the middle of the season, because I was starting to be more comfortable and having fun. »
In his misfortune, however, St-Juste considers himself particularly lucky to have the American team in charge.
“Concussion is a serious injury, it’s not like a quadriceps or a muscle. It is the brain and we need it even after the season. The staff took my injury very seriously and it was cool to have. The NFL is a business, but they made the right decision to give me more time to get back to health. »
“When I was hurt, coach Ron Rivera said to me ‘we signed you for four years, not for one year, so don’t hurt yourself and force yourself to play if you’re not in a good state of health’”
In Washington, St-Juste is part of a young team with talent for the years to come and he already sees great things for the next campaign.
« Coach Rivera emphasizes culture and building a positive environment. It’s a message he tells us every week, it’s a process. You can’t win a Super Bowl in the first year and I think he understands that. »
And does he believe the Commanders will advance to the playoffs?
“100%, that’s for sure. We have the same players, talented youngsters and we come back with a lot more knowledge and experience. We have a new quarterback with the arrival of Carson Wentz. »
