After missing our scheduled interview to start the season due to spending time in San Jose with his future International Simulation Football League team and reigning champs Sabercats, Tugg Speedman was able to set aside some time for us here with the London Times to catch up on all things football, draft, and life in general. With Tugg most likely getting called up next season, we hope this isn't Tugg's very last interview with us. Without further ado, here is our conversation with fan favorite wide receiver of YOUR London Royals.
Reporter: "Hey Tugg, we are so happy we were able to get you on a call to catch up on everything you have going on. First off, a happy belated congratulations on being drafted by the San Jose Sabercats in the very first round of the International Simulation Football League. That is a tremendous milestone and one I am sure many of us London Royal fans were expecting."
Tugg: "Hey, thank you so much! It was such a blessing to see my talent and ability being noticed - even if I was not the FIRST wide receiver selected. Sorry for missing our usual pre-season interview. I wanted to split time between London and San Jose as I get ready for my looming call-up to the Sabercats and get a home prepared for me and my puppy Bernard Theodore."
Reporter: "No worries Tugg, we obviously understand! And yes, we have seen a lot of Bear on your twitter feed and love every second of it. So, as any draftee that does not get called up immediately, how is knowing you will get the call up to San Jose affecting your mentality so far this season, if at all?"
Tugg: "Yeah he is certainly a handful! So yeah, obviously I thought I was ready to be called up immediately but I am not upset in the slightest on waiting. It just allows me to work harder and solidify winning rookie of the year next season up in the International Simulation Football League. It also allows me to enjoy one more season in London, which I am honored to call home, and let us deal with unfinished business from last season's championship loss. It still stings but you learn to let it motivate you instead of wear you down mentally."
Reporter: "Not only that but it gives you some additional time to break some records while you are here! Any you have your mind on?"
Tugg: "Honestly, I really want the yards record and I want to beat the receptions record for the London Royals. Last season I was close to the 1,000 yard mark but just had a couple of games where I was not as involved as maybe I would have hoped - no worries though. I set the London Royals record for most receptions last season with 73 and would love to top that and hit at least 75 receptions this season."
Reporter: "With only 5 games left, do you think either of these are attainable and how are you feeling about your playoff odds?"
Tugg: "I am not going to lie, they are going to be tough to hit at this point in the season. We have so many weapons on offense that it can be hard to give everyone a piece of the pie. At this point I am sitting at 39 receptions and 611 yards. I need to have at least two huge games to really make me confident that I will hit these two goals. Not only that, I would also love to score 5 touchdowns on the year and I am already at 3, so that one feels pretty attainable for the most part. In regards to the playoffs, it is tough to say. I am a realest and admit we need to turn it on these last 5 games of the regular season. Not only that, but we need some help from the teams ahead of us. I do not really see Portland falling apart to end the season. They have our division on lock and we need to take one of the wildcard spots. We are currently tied for the Wild Cards and have to play our best ball."
Reporter: "We have faith in you and this team to get the job done this season. Is there anything you wanted to say before we ended the interview? Whether it is to the fans, your family, or the team?
Tugg: "Yeah, so I really wanted to elaborate how much I have loved calling London my home these last two season. I will never forget it and I am truly grateful for how amazing you, the media, have been to me. You have accepted me for how I am ad have given me a platform to talk about how great I am, and I can't say thank you enough. To the fans, you guys are so crazy! Best fans in the entire damn world. You have lived up to every word I had heard coming here and I can't wait to play as many more games this season in this jersey as I can. To my family, thank you for the sacrifices you have made the entire way to this point. From adjusting your schedules to watch me play games London time to traveling here when you can to see me play, and for knowing that we are so very far apart. To my coaches, thank you for allowing me to be me and exceed here in London. You have been nothing short of fantastic and I will miss playing for you. Lastly my teammates, my brothers and sisters, thank you so much. We go to war every week and win or lose we leave it all out there. Whether we are playing together or against each other in the future, I look forward to seeing you there. Now lets go out there and win the damn thing baby! Go London!"
Reporter: "Thank you so much for the time Tugg!"
Reporter: "Hey Tugg, we are so happy we were able to get you on a call to catch up on everything you have going on. First off, a happy belated congratulations on being drafted by the San Jose Sabercats in the very first round of the International Simulation Football League. That is a tremendous milestone and one I am sure many of us London Royal fans were expecting."
Tugg: "Hey, thank you so much! It was such a blessing to see my talent and ability being noticed - even if I was not the FIRST wide receiver selected. Sorry for missing our usual pre-season interview. I wanted to split time between London and San Jose as I get ready for my looming call-up to the Sabercats and get a home prepared for me and my puppy Bernard Theodore."
Reporter: "No worries Tugg, we obviously understand! And yes, we have seen a lot of Bear on your twitter feed and love every second of it. So, as any draftee that does not get called up immediately, how is knowing you will get the call up to San Jose affecting your mentality so far this season, if at all?"
Tugg: "Yeah he is certainly a handful! So yeah, obviously I thought I was ready to be called up immediately but I am not upset in the slightest on waiting. It just allows me to work harder and solidify winning rookie of the year next season up in the International Simulation Football League. It also allows me to enjoy one more season in London, which I am honored to call home, and let us deal with unfinished business from last season's championship loss. It still stings but you learn to let it motivate you instead of wear you down mentally."
Reporter: "Not only that but it gives you some additional time to break some records while you are here! Any you have your mind on?"
Tugg: "Honestly, I really want the yards record and I want to beat the receptions record for the London Royals. Last season I was close to the 1,000 yard mark but just had a couple of games where I was not as involved as maybe I would have hoped - no worries though. I set the London Royals record for most receptions last season with 73 and would love to top that and hit at least 75 receptions this season."
Reporter: "With only 5 games left, do you think either of these are attainable and how are you feeling about your playoff odds?"
Tugg: "I am not going to lie, they are going to be tough to hit at this point in the season. We have so many weapons on offense that it can be hard to give everyone a piece of the pie. At this point I am sitting at 39 receptions and 611 yards. I need to have at least two huge games to really make me confident that I will hit these two goals. Not only that, I would also love to score 5 touchdowns on the year and I am already at 3, so that one feels pretty attainable for the most part. In regards to the playoffs, it is tough to say. I am a realest and admit we need to turn it on these last 5 games of the regular season. Not only that, but we need some help from the teams ahead of us. I do not really see Portland falling apart to end the season. They have our division on lock and we need to take one of the wildcard spots. We are currently tied for the Wild Cards and have to play our best ball."
Reporter: "We have faith in you and this team to get the job done this season. Is there anything you wanted to say before we ended the interview? Whether it is to the fans, your family, or the team?
Tugg: "Yeah, so I really wanted to elaborate how much I have loved calling London my home these last two season. I will never forget it and I am truly grateful for how amazing you, the media, have been to me. You have accepted me for how I am ad have given me a platform to talk about how great I am, and I can't say thank you enough. To the fans, you guys are so crazy! Best fans in the entire damn world. You have lived up to every word I had heard coming here and I can't wait to play as many more games this season in this jersey as I can. To my family, thank you for the sacrifices you have made the entire way to this point. From adjusting your schedules to watch me play games London time to traveling here when you can to see me play, and for knowing that we are so very far apart. To my coaches, thank you for allowing me to be me and exceed here in London. You have been nothing short of fantastic and I will miss playing for you. Lastly my teammates, my brothers and sisters, thank you so much. We go to war every week and win or lose we leave it all out there. Whether we are playing together or against each other in the future, I look forward to seeing you there. Now lets go out there and win the damn thing baby! Go London!"
Reporter: "Thank you so much for the time Tugg!"
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