Jason McCourty shares a lot of things with his twin brother, New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty. They share a passion for football, they played the same position at Rutgers and they even share social media accounts.
But one thing they don’t have in common is NFL success, and that’s something the Tennessee Titans cornerback admitted bothers him.
“I’m extremely happy for Devin,” Jason wrote in Sports Illustrated’s MMQB on Thursday. “There are few people who will root harder for him. I know how hard he works, how bad he wants it, and I want to see him reach his goal. I want to be in Arizona on Feb. 1 as he wins his first Super Bowl ring.
“But every year, a part of me simmers with envy. I remember 2012, when the Patriots won the AFC Championship. A bunch of our teammates from Rutgers went up there to cheer Devin on. … Right then, I saw what it looked to come within striking distance of the ultimate goal. Those smiles, that feeling — I wanted to experience that, too.”
Devin has never missed the playoffs in his five years with the New England Patriots. But Jason, who left Rutgers one year earlier than Devin, hasn’t been to the playoffs in six seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
And while Jason said he’s proud of his brother, the ultimate goal for every NFL player is to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy themselves.
“A lot of people think athletes are only in it for the money, but when you play this sport, you play to win (Herm Edwards would agree),” Jason wrote. “Those who become truly successful, those who are remembered as great? They win. The ultimate prize, no doubt, is a Super Bowl ring.”
Thumbnail photo via Don McPeak/USA TODAY Sports Images
