Joe Horn Jr. is excited. Excited to step on the field this upcoming Sunday to play on the same field his father played against the Giants and Jets on all those years ago.
The difference between Joe and his father who had been in the NFL on and off for 11 years, the prodigal son now calls Metlife stadium his home field as a member of the XFL Guardians. Now Joe Horn find himself as a leader with players who didn’t receive the opportunities he has had
Horn knew what it took to achieve his dreams from an early age as his father taught him how to work hard and hone his craft. While kids around him would joke around, Joe handled his business like a pro by out working the people in front of him..
Joe went undrafted in 2019 before heading to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Shortly after, he was introduced to the XFL and a second opportunity for a first impression.
Horn was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in 2020, but was then traded to the New York Guardians on January 17th.
Knowing what it took to get here, Joe Horn Jr is ready to show everyone what he’s all about. Horn’s excitement about the direction of the league, especially with the new rules, as well as passing on his experiences to his teammates is welcomed in such a young franchise.
Back Sports Page caught up
with Joe at Guardians practice to discuss these topics and much more.
Q: Talk about your love of football, you know it runs in the family…What exactly made you fall in love with the game?
A: Well, from an early age…my dad playing the game, coming to practices…the pinnacle of the sport, the NFL, just coming and seeing how players come and do their work from a young age, it pretty much gave me the mindset I needed to have to be able to accomplish what I need to accomplish when I get of age.”
Q: Was that ever intimidating, being around it at such a young age? Now the game’s changed, a lot since your dad played, was that ever intimidating at all to you? Or was it more just understanding what kind of work had to go into it?
A: It was a little intimidating. I’m not gonna lie, it just does. Yeah you see how much work is put in, what other guys are going to do…some of your friends are going to want to go out and play…at a young age, it’s time to go put in some work, and that’s what I decided to do. Either way, it didn’t matter because my dad was such a good role model for me.
Q: What was the first time you really remember putting on pads? What was the experience like going through high school and then college…must’ve been a fun time..
A: (chuckles) Yea, it wasn’t so much business…I remember putting on the pads at a young age, man, and I remember my dad putting me in pads before I could really anticipate it. So…in high school, man, that’s when I had to really adjust to what the sport really meant…I can’t just run by people at receiver…you have to learn all the little routes, all the ins and outs, and by doing that, it was fun. But now I’m on a level where everyday is business, so it’s fun.
Q: Talk about transitioning to the business side of it, how difficult it is for those who don’t fully understand. How hard was that to adjust to?
A: It’s the transition to a business at the highest level. It’s all business. Some kids feel like coming out of high school to college, it’s time to play around, but you don’t. Some kids that freshman year, are going in for the heisman race…kids need to learn that after high school, joking around is over with…it’s not that hard of a transition if you have the right mindset…the kids that have the wrong mindset…they don’t make it.
Q: What was your first taste of success in football?
A: Truthfully, I haven’t accomplished much. I know that…I have a lot more I want to accomplish…being with the Ravens this past training camp, being in the league for myself, seeing how things go, I looked at it as a pretty good accomplishment from where I came – D2 football…I don’t pat myself on the back because I got bigger dreams, bigger goals…That’s my biggest accomplishment, and I feel pretty lucky to be here. A lot of guys I know…sitting there, dreaming for that opportunity, so I don’t take this for granted, not one bit.
Q: Your experiences…you try to pass that on to guys who don’t have that experience, that cup of coffee…this is their big thing…
A: Yea,a lot of guys on this team have NFL experience, you can tell the guys that have it and those who don’t. What really matters is…guys who’ve had that experience come together with those who haven’t, teach them what they need to know…we all come together, and play as one. That’s what’s been happening from the short time I’ve been with the guardians. It’s been a good camaraderie and a good team function that everyone’s gelling perfectly.
Q: Talk about Metlife Stadium. Sunday’s going to be pretty big for your first game.
A: Yep! We got to practice in Metlife a few times, and for me that’s amazing. I know my dad played there a couple times…just to know I’m walking on the field where greats have played…it’s amazing to me. To know that we get to play our games there…nothing better than that, I’m excited.
Q: Best advice ever given to you?
A: Best advice ever given to me? Keep your mouth shut, Learn as much as you can…best advice ever given to me.
Q: Obviously there’s some different rules compared to the NFL…anything you have to adjust or is it just see how it goes?
A: Pretty much just gotta adjust, first and foremost the two minute…more time…we were going over that yesterday…in the NFL, it’s different…in this league, it’s kind of like college…and I like the overtime rules also…kind of weird, but I like it
Q: Thanks and Good luck this season.
A: Appreciate it. Nice to meet you all.
