Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. is less than a week away from finally experiencing a career-defining moment in the NFL, which he has been waiting for since the first day he sided with football. However, his journey was not easy. From being an outcast, now he is NFL’s Rams’ team rising superstar.
Congrats to @OBJ_3 on hitting 4,000!
He ties HOF'er Lance Alworth for the fastest to 4k receiving yds in NFL history. #GiantsPride #TNF pic.twitter.com/VcCK0fBy2I
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2016
OBJ’s history
For OBJ, the 2021 season has been peaks and valleys as he started with Cleveland Browns. In the middle of the season, however, he was on his way to becoming NFL’s pariah. In their eyes, NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year back in 2014 was considered selfish, a distraction, and a drama queen.
Back in November 2020, amid a dissolving relationship with fellow teammate, Baker Mayfield, quarterback, the cold war ended when the Browns released OBJ from the team. After two days of missing practice, due to a should/non-injury, the following day, Browns released the announcement of the wide receiver’s release on his 29th birthday.
In this matter, OBJ’s father, Odell Beckham Sr. was also involved when he posted a video on social media highlighting the time when Mayfield did not throw the ball to OBJ when he was open. OB Senior considers the action as either ‘hating’ on Odell or he just doesn’t want him ‘shining’. OBJ and Mayfield have not spoken to each other ever since.
Making an entrance! We’re thrilled to announce that @obj is joining #DanielWellington as one of our new Icons. #OdellBeckhamJr pic.twitter.com/SaAj6cqr8w
— Daniel Wellington (@itisDW) September 18, 2019
Furthermore, the three-time pro bowler was thought to be a declining player when he injured his ACL during the 2020 season, and teams passed on claiming the two-time second-team all-pro.
“We’ve already got AB (meaning Antonio Brown), we don’t need OBJ, too many letters,” said Bruce Arians, head coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At the same time, OBJ worked on eliminating his 2022 and 2023 contracts to become a free agent. Once he becomes a free agent, that is when he finally made in the pack of the Rams.
.@NIKE Color Rush jersey tho! First $500K will be for fields lost in the Louisiana floods. https://t.co/iKAUujgC8S pic.twitter.com/xca3Da36oj
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) September 24, 2016
OBJ in Los Angeles
Looking forward to the next big thing this coming Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium, the now-Rams member admitted in media that he was very close to agreeing on a deal with New England Patriots.
When asked by a reporter how close was OBJ at that time to choosing the Patriots, he, during a media interview, replied, “Very. Very, very, very. … I was very close.”
On a Twitter post by Andrew Callahan, an NFL writer, the Tom Brady fan later told Bill Belichick, general manager of the Patriots over the phone, “If this was three years ago, it would have been ideal,” referring to his affinity to Tom Brady who recently departed from his decade years of the football career.
Odell Beckham Jr. has reached 5,000 career receiving yards in fewer games (54) than any player since the 1970 merger
The player he passed?
Julio Jones, who accomplished the feat in 56 games#NYGvsATL #MNF #Giants @obj
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 23, 2018
OBJ admired the coach. “And for a guy, a coach like Bill Belichick, who I’ve admired for years and I’ve seen, and, just, always was like, ‘Man, someday I’m gonna play for Bill Belichick.’ … For him to call me; to be able to just sit down on the phone and talk football — I mean, it’s like, what more could you ask for?” said OBJ. In the end, with fans claiming the intriguing ‘what ifs’ if OBJ had chosen the Patriots, he found his home with the Rams.
“All of the things, all of the signs … when it got quiet, it’s just something about this place that called. Aside from Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller. … It just felt right in my heart and it felt right in my gut. It felt like other things I was trying to make work and this was the one that was calling me.” said OBJ.
#Giants WR Odell Beckham signed the most lucrative shoe deal ever for an @NFL player. Nike & his agent Zeke Sandhu worked out a 5-year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 23, 2017