But somehow, Quinn manages to pull it off. His signature look is a backwards hat and Jordan sneakers. It is the uniform of a middle-aged man, chosen wisely because a few years ago he found his own style, but it is in vogue again. Although he is a high-level coach, his aesthetic shows a flexibility in appreciating individual expression.
This was noticeable in Dallas, as the cameras showed Quinn and Cap behind him making adjustments to the Cowboy’s defense in the press box. And it is now noticeable that Quinn, who took over as commander, is turning his black ‘W’ hat backwards and working to recreate the culture.
“That’s the pride of the guy,” said special teamer Jeremy Reaves.
“Yeah, I really like it,” offensive lineman Sam Cosmi said of Quinn’s flipped lid.
“Could you please see what I’m saying over there and tell me that’s not the vibe?” Punter Tress Way said, nodding her head toward the field where Quinn looked boss. “And look at how he moves around during practice. Please tell me he’s not in the mood.”
I visited the Washington Commanders’ obligatory minicamp for something more important than checking out coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s new offense or finding out who got the most first-string reps in the secondary. Wow, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was throwing a perfect dart to his receiver in shorts. Who cares? Wake me up when September comes.
Instead, I visited the camp to learn about the psychology behind the upside-down hat. For example, what compels a man to keep his hat away from his face? Could this be his way of hiding his matted hair? Or is it a rebellion against the norms that bind men of a certain age to the strict standards of adult fashion?
Or does it just look cool?
“She likes me to wear my hat backwards, and she likes me to wear my hat backwards,” Cosmi said of his wife. “She likes it a lot better. “That’s his preference.”
And now we have some breaking news to please Mrs. Cosmi. That Washington players can have their swag again.
Last season, Eric Bieniemy came to town to run the offense. And he brought with him a new title that gave him power and some ridiculous rules. Includes rules regarding hats. And how should adults dress?
“Last year, wearing a hat backwards was banned. [in the building]. So here’s a bit of an interesting fact,” Cosmi revealed a shocking secret. “It was something that, as offensive players, we weren’t allowed to wear our hats backwards.”
Lid to the front! My offense will not dare find Terry McLaurin down the field or betray the sanctity of the hat by turning it backwards!
If you think that even the pastor from “Footloose” would say it’s too legalistic, you’d be right. We all know that the easiest way to show that you’re cool is to turn your hat back. Don’t argue with me on this. When my editor Dan Steinberg unfolds a canvas ball cap over a shiny dome, bills facing forward, he looks like a father of three ready to start yard work. But when editor Dan tipped back his hat, even that You look young and hip. A rebellious and enigmatic being. This guy can drive a minivan straight through that yellow light.
And Football Dan? When Quinn wears a hat like a basic 53-year-old man, he looks like a basic 53-year-old man. When the queen puts on her hat His But then he really seems like his own man who doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.
Besides upside-down hats, he’s also into slogans. After the changes at the top — first hiring new general managers Adam Peters and then hiring Quinn to replace Ron Rivera — the walls of the building started to look different. “Nobody. Somewhere. Anytime.” This is a phrase that decorates one side of the commander’s conference room. Quotes that are not attributed to anyone do not embellish the other person.: “Sit with a warrior, the conversation is different” and “The only fight that matters is the fight we’re in.”
One day during minicamp, Quinn wore a black commander’s shirt with the words “Doing Hard S#%& With Good People.” knockout quote At his introductory press conference. Some club staff wore shirts with the slogan ‘Ball Is Life’.
“You have to have your own reason as to why, what makes you come here every day and play 100%. No one needs to tell you. You don’t have to look at the items on the wall. But at the same time, you see all of that subconsciously,” Reaves said. “Even if I don’t see it in person, I see it every day. You may not admit that you understand it, but you really do. Your mind is processing it every day. It’s something I think about sometimes when those reps get tough and I get hot and tired. ‘Doing difficult things together [good] ‘People’ That’s right. That’s the mantra you have to live by [by] Because this game is difficult.”
This is more than a meathead mantra. This is Quinn’s intentional way of conveying expectations and identity. Quinn wanted to let players know how business works. Standards came first before any systems or plans were put in place.
“Some of the things you see on the ball, the mindset, some of the bumper stickers are easy ways to communicate and talk in a language that’s important for everyone to know,” Quinn said. “Not everything has to say, ‘Use the best basic principles.’”
While saying the last part, Quinn changed her voice and imitated someone who sounded taut, blocking his path. Quinn certainly doesn’t. Coach and J in their backwards hats will drop a bomb or two as they correct their players. And yet, he’s the same guy who high-fives and becomes friendly with assistant defensive line coach Sharif Floyd’s young son after practice. (By the way, Floyd didn’t wear his hat backwards, but hung his dreadlocks low. But on the practice field, special teams coordinator Larry Izzo, who turns 50 this summer, pulled his hat back.)
“I respect people’s individuality and the things that mean something to them,” Quinn said. “So whether it’s a hairstyle or not having a beard, for example, all the rules that we’ve been told our whole lives are not necessarily thought of that way. I like people to be unique and different.
“I don’t want everyone to wear hats like me. It doesn’t have to be that way,” Quinn continued. “One of the reasons it’s fun to be in the locker room is [is] We have different tastes, we like music, cars, whatever. It’s no fun if everything is the same. i accept [that] People are unique and have special ways of doing things. To me, it’s fine as long as it’s on the team.”
Quinn didn’t know about last year’s cap mandate, which probably didn’t help Bieniemy’s relationship with the players. There’s nothing about Quinn’s preferred style that will magically help a team win 10 games. Still, giving players space to add a bit more personality and authenticity by wearing their hats backwards would at least make Commanders more comfortable this season.
As Tress Way said, Quinn has a vibe, and the commander might as well. So are there any rules about how Washington players, NFL coaches, and even older men should wear their hats? Flip it over.
