Washington Commanders Linebackers Engage in Tequila Pre-Game Ritual
The team's linebackers have adopted a unique gameday tradition of consuming tequila shots together before matches, a practice revealed by linebacker Kain Medrano.
Pregame rituals in the NFL vary widely, from ingrained superstitions to peculiar gameday habits. While some players recite mantras or wear lucky undergarments, the linebackers for the Washington Commanders have established a more unconventional routine: taking shots of tequila together on game day mornings.
This practice was recently disclosed by Kain Medrano, a second-year linebacker for the Commanders, as reported by The Baltimore Banner. Medrano explained that the linebackers convene in the parking lot on game day mornings to consume tequila before proceeding to the locker room. "Your blood is tingling. We get there. We do our thing. Then once we go inside it's time to handle business," Medrano stated, describing the ritual as "a cool thing."
Medrano, 25, asserted that this routine helps prepare the group for competition. "You got the tingling sensation going through your body. You are ready to go out there and crash out," he added.
The tradition reportedly began last season with teammate Frankie Luvu, who, upon entering the league, experienced a similar ritual from his veteran teammates and subsequently carried it forward. "When he got into the league, his vets did that for him. So he kind of carried on the tradition. Obviously, coming in as a rookie, I didn't really know how to feel," Medrano recounted.
This pregame boost appeared to yield positive results in Washington's home opener, where Medrano secured a game-sealing interception against Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. However, the tequila ritual has not been sufficient to overcome a challenging start to the season for Dan Quinn's team, which currently holds a 1-3-1 record.
The Commanders' defense has faced criticism for breakdowns in the fourth quarter, including a significant collapse in London against the Indianapolis Colts and a late error that led to a loss in a divisional game against the New York Giants. With their season's trajectory uncertain, the Commanders are set to face the San Francisco 49ers in a crucial Monday Night Football matchup.
Other NFL players have also incorporated drinking into their pregame routines. Former Washington running back Clinton Portis, for instance, previously stated, "Just adrenaline. You know, you take a shot and you were done with it."