FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 10th, 2018

RANDALL COBB AND RYAN FITZPATRICK SPEAK WITH PETER KING IN “FOOTBALL MORNING IN AMERICA” EXCLUSIVELY ON NBCSPORTS.COM

King Visits Green Bay, Wis., for Bears-Packers on Sunday Night Football

 “It was amazing having him out there, after we thought he was done.” – Packers WR Randall Cobb on Aaron Rodgers’ return from injury

“I didn’t even know Brady played fantasy football. I guess it was a good decision.” – Tampa Bay QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on his son starting him in fantasy football

“What I Learned” with Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay

King to Bills fans: “Flood your team’s switchboard this morning demanding your team sign Colin Kaepernick.”

“Football Morning in America” Runs Every Monday Exclusively on NBCSports.com

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 10, 2018 – Peter King’s Week 1 edition of “Football Morning in America,” available now exclusively on NBCSports.com, features post-game interviews with Green Bay WR Randall Cobb, who caught a 75-yard touchdown in the thrilling Packers 24-23 win over the Bears on Sunday Night Football, and Tampa Bay QB Ryan Fitzpatrick following his four-touchdown performance against the New Orleans Saints.

This week’s edition also includes background on how King’s interview with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr for Football Night in America came to be; this week’s “What I Learned” with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay; and awards, quotes, travel notes, and more.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of “Football Morning in America”:

RANDALL COBB

  • Cobb on his 75-yard catch-and-run for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter: “I was running my route, and I didn’t get the ball in rhythm and timing like I usually do. So in that case, we go to scramble mode. You look for an opening. So I looked for one, then looked back to Aaron and the ball was already in the air. I’m like, SHOOT! Ball’s coming! Here it comes.”
  • Cobb on Rodgers returning following a knee injury: “He’s such a warrior. It was amazing having him out there, after we thought he was done. He figured exactly how to play too: short, quick throws, rhythm and timing. That just reinforced what I already knew about him. I’ve seen it for years. But this was special.”
  • Cobb on where this game ranks in his career: “I would say it’s probably the greatest. My wife and I just had a son. This is the Packers’ 100th season. It’s the Bears. This was a big night.”

BART STARR AND AARON RODGERS

King traveled to Starr’s home outside of Birmingham, Ala., to speak with the Pro Football Hall of Famer about his relationship with Aaron Rodgers. King recounts the resilience of Starr, who is currently battling aphasia, to read his letters of encouragement for Rodgers.

  • King on meeting with Starr to talk about Rodgers: “Starr barely spoke, and when he did, it was almost in a whisper. When I met him, I looked into his eyes and said what a pleasure this was, and he whispered, ‘Glad … for Aaron.’”
  • King on recounting his experience with Starr to Rodgers: “Five days later. Labor Day afternoon. Green Bay. The Packers’ tunnel onto Lambeau. I explained the hour-plus deal in Starr’s office, and Starr’s determination to get the damn thing done. I showed the video of those 14 seconds to Rodgers. Rodgers smiled widely. He nodded. No words. He didn’t have any right then. I didn’t either.”

RYAN FITZPATRICK

  • Fitzpatrick on him and his family’s reaction following Sunday’s game vs. New Orleans: “We really didn’t have to say much, and I couldn’t say much. I was overcome with emotion.”
  • Fitzpatrick on his son, Brady, starting him in fantasy football: “So my 9-year-old son, Tate, convinced my 11-year-old son, Brady, to put me on his fantasy team today. I didn’t even know Brady played fantasy football. I guess it was a good decision.”
  • Fitzpatrick on his confidence: “I have so much confidence in my ability that a day like today is not a surprise to me — at all. I go out there when I start, and I think I’m gonna have this game every week, especially with this team.”

SEAN MCVAY

  • McVay in this week’s “What I Learned” section: “I learned this from Mike Tomlin—who’s been a big help to me: Everybody’s got all the answers and no accountability. I was that guy. Before I called plays or even got into this role, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I’d do it this way.’ Well it’s a little bit different when you actually have to do it.”

PETER KING’S 10 THINGS I THINK I THINK

  • King on Bills fans calling for the signing of Colin Kaepernick: “I think, Bills fans, it’s time to do something you may not want to do but simply must: Flood your team’s switchboard this morning demanding your team sign Colin Kaepernick.”

Read the rest of the column here.

A new “Football Morning in America” will post every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com. It was announced in May that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on NBCSN’s and NBC Sports Radio’s PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

–NBC SPORTS–