Commanders' Sonny Styles surprised by gift from NFL legend

· Yahoo Sports

Washington Commanders rookie linebacker Sonny Styles has dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was a kid. He started playing football at age four, and as the son of a former NFL player, he knew early on that was what he wanted. He and his brother, Lorenzo, were secondary players early on. Lorenzo is a cornerback currently signed to the New Orleans Saints, and Styles started as a safety, only becoming a linebacker during his college days at Ohio State.

Styles was drafted at No. 7 by the Commanders for a reason. He’s a freakish athlete with an innate nose for the ball. He has a high football IQ that lets him anticipate plays and adjust to his opponents after the snap, and his ability and potential haven’t gone unnoticed. Fanatics recently surprised Styles with a video and gift from former NFL star linebacker — and brand new Pro Football Hall of Famer — Luke Kuechly, who definitely sees a bright future for the rookie.

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At first, Styles recounts draft night and how his football journey started when he was four. Then, the lights dimmed. Styles looked around in confusion, but then a video popped up on the screen in front of him. It's a video recorded by Luke Kuechly.

“Sonny, what’s up? Luke Kuechly here. I just wanted to say congratulations, and I just wanted to say I’m pumped to watch your journey,” Kuechly begins. Styles grins and shakes his head in disbelief. “Man, you just want to show that you belong, and show that you’re the guy that they thought when they drafted. You know how to do that; the best way to do that is just play your butt off. And, with that being said, I want you to reach under your chair right now. I dropped a little something under there for you, and just wanted to say congratulations, a little memento, and welcome to the NFL, and I’m so excited to watch your career.”

Styles has already located the box under his chair, and when he opens it, it’s a signed Carolina Panthers Luke Kuechly jersey.

“No way,” Styles laughs. “Yo, this is crazy. No, I’m just grateful. I don’t know if Luke will see this, but I really appreciate it. And it’s signed by him. You know, he’s one of the greatest to ever do it, so for him to make that video and give me this, it means a lot. It says, ‘Sonny, so pumped to follow your career. Simplify the game. Prepare. Play with unmatched energy plus toughness, and most of all, have fun.’

"I’m going to be holding onto this for a long time,” Styles laughs. The video ends with Styles holding up the jersey for the camera with Kuechly’s signature and note in view.

Hopes and expectations for Styles and his NFL career are incredibly high. He’s already shown that he can handle whatever is thrown at him, and he’s only going to get better from here. The Commanders got a gem in this kid. Now he has to meet the bar and prove that he belongs exactly where he is.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Sonny Styles surprised by gift from NFL legend

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