00:03It's really special and the main thing I want to say is just gratitude towards the Cincinnati fan base
00:09and everyone around the country that's bought a Cincy hat and bought into the mission that we're trying to do.
00:15And we have huge plans in 2026. I can't wait to get them going.
00:18I've been really, we've been really working hard behind the scenes to get these going.
00:22So hopefully, you know, when we get back for the spring, it'll already be underway.
00:25And this whole mission, it was completely organic and nothing I set out to do.
00:30I didn't set out to be a hat guy, that's for sure, or really a public philanthropist.
00:35But I'm blessed with this opportunity and really it's the energy and spirit of the city.
00:40And I hope we win it all for the people of this town.
00:44Yeah, that's what I was going to say.
00:45Like what would it mean to you to win the whole Walter Payton Man of the Year award?
00:51Well, I think it wouldn't just be me winning.
00:52It'd be everyone that's involved with the Cincy hat.
00:54I'm just kind of the conduit and the champion of it.
00:57And what it would mean is a lot more visibility for it and a big check to our foundation.
01:04And that, you know, equals more bedrooms that we'll build here in Cincinnati.
01:08So it'd be the honor of a lifetime.
01:10And I'm very grateful for this organization for nominating me again.
01:15And, you know, excited.
01:16Hopefully we're going to the Super Bowl for two reasons.
01:19Were you always a hat guy?
01:21Like before, did you wear hats daily before Cincy hat existed?
01:25Actually, I never wore a hat before Cincy hat.
01:27I was never a hat guy.
01:28It's very interesting.
01:29I have a hat on now.
01:30And I try to, you know, I wear a helmet every day too.
01:34So I try to, when I'm just like not in public at all, I try to limit my hat use, trying to keep my hair for as long as I can.
01:40How do you say this award, Ted, is about legacy and you want to win.
01:45That's why you're in the NFL.
01:47But you also want to leave a legacy.
01:48What would this mean to your legacy?
01:51Well, it would, you know, one thing I always say about the Cincy hat, I've been, it's been such a blessing in my life.
01:56I will never cease.
01:57The Cincy hat will never not exist because I will go hard.
02:00I will be relentless for my entire life of living in service and love for the IDD community.
02:04So this would be a huge boost to our visibility on a national stage and I think be a lot of validation towards the selflessness and generosity of the Cincinnati community.
02:18Ted, what are you most proud of that you've done with Cincy hat, all your off the field work?
02:23Is there something above all that stands out to you that you guys have been able to accomplish?
02:28I'm really proud of the fact that the Village Marici was able to double their footprint of the people they serve.
02:33They have a second building.
02:34I'm really proud of our two students at UC, Jessica and Mariah, who are thriving.
02:40The UC TAT program and IDD center is something very special and they're really, they've really grown up as young women.
02:48And to see that is, brings a tear to my eye.
02:51And really, I'm really looking forward to what we're going to do next, which is we're going to be, we're going to build forever.
02:57So this community is underserved throughout the nation.
03:02There is a humongous need for, for apartments and living areas.
03:08So there will never not be enough work to do.
03:11So we're going to go hard forever.
03:12Ted, when you found out when you got the news that you were being honored like this again, what was your reaction?
03:18Gratitude.
03:19And just kind of a full circle moment.
03:22I never expected to be kind of the guy that was pegged as this, you know, big, big philanthropist.
03:28I've always given a charity and done all this.
03:30But to be in the streets of the Cincinnati community for the last four years and meet everyone.
03:34And we have, this town has so much synergy with the IDD community.
03:38And there's so many people working towards this mission of the bettering of the lives of these individuals that I don't think there's, I mean, it was really destined to be here in this town and on this team.
03:52So really grateful, excited, and I hope we win for this town.
03:57What's your reaction when you walk down the street and see somebody random wearing a sense of hat?
04:01I feel a sense of pride.
04:05I feel a sense that, you know, I think it's a symbol of do-goodedness.
04:09You know, I've never taken a cent from any of the proceeds and never will.
04:14It's all gone directly towards its end goal.
04:18I think that one of the things we always say is we need to walk the walk.
04:22And the Cincy hat, I have so many friends with intellectual disabilities across this town.
04:28And, you know, we're going to keep going hard as long as we can.
04:31Can you tell us how you found out?
04:33Did Dak tell you?
04:34How did you get the news that you were going there again?
04:37My family surprised me, actually.
04:39Everyone came here.
04:40I was actually not in the best mood.
04:43I came off kind of an intense walkthrough and thought I had to get interviewed by someone on a national stage
04:48and went into the media room and my whole family was there.
04:51So it was a pretty emotional moment for a second there.
04:55Who do you think was interviewing you?
04:56Who did you think you were, you know?
04:57I thought it could be Bridget Condon.
05:00I love Bridget Condon.
05:02I just thought it was like a national thing.
05:04So I just was preparing myself to get rid of the angst I had from walkthrough to give a good interview.
05:12And then my whole family was here.
05:14A lot of people get nominated twice.
05:16Did you think after two years ago that you would ever get another shot at this?
05:20I had hoped.
05:21But we have so many guys doing great things on this team.
05:23So it's not like I was clamoring for it.
05:27But it really does help our organization a lot with just a monetary donation and visibility.
05:33And, you know, we got to think of something.
05:36It's going to be us versus the Swifties for the fan vote.
05:39So we got to think of something like St. Teddy's Day.
05:43Matt's not going to let me do St. Teddy's Day again.
05:45Or my wife.
05:46So we got to think of some reward when we win the fan vote.
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