Catching up with A&M All-American, Super Bowl champ Armani Watts

In 2017, former Texas A&M defensive back Armani Watts was an All-SEC and All-American selection. On Monday, Watts joined TexAgs Live to look back on his favorite moments during his football career in Aggieland and in the professional ranks. 

Key notes from Armani Watts interview

• I was sold on Texas A&M the first day I visited. I was done with the process early. What really sold me was the family atmosphere. Coach Kevin Sumlin didn’t sugarcoat anything. The athletics were huge. My mom was sold. I was sold. After that, it's how everything started. I built a lot of relationships and networked with a lot of people. It helped me become a better man. I tell people I feel like I had the best college experience ever. I wouldn't change anything about it. Aggieland is my home through and through.
   
• I tried to steer clear of running into that bus, but Tra Carson always brought it every day. That’s why practices were at a high level.
   
• Carson is one of them. De'Vante Harris, Edward Pope, a lot of the older guys that were there when I was there. Even coming back, Mike Evans would give us hints about the league and how he attacked things. It was never really any bad apples in the locker room as far as teammates. It was a really strong unit.
   
• People bring up the 2015 Ole Miss game to me all the time. All I remember was sitting in the locker room after, being sick because we lost. I knew none of my stats until the interviews. It was definitely a crazy game, stat-wise. You got the cowbells, then the Rebels over there. The SEC is for sure tough. We couldn’t ever get a win in Mississippi.
   
• The interception against Tennessee, I still get chills to this day. It's really wild. That play and the Arkansas play were practice and film study. We ran those plays multiple times. Coach John Chavis and our defense staff... I remember seeing that play in practice like 10 times. Same with Arkansas, I was like they are running the corner routes, they widened the safety out, but I see the linebacker and fullback running straight up the B-gap. It’s just instincts and making the play to go get the ball.
   
• I feel like I definitely had a smile under the helmet, and it's like, “Don’t drop the ball. Don’t drop the ball…” It’s really locking in on yourself, and breathe. It’s what you work on every day. All my life, those are moments you live for.
   
• The guys voted on who would be captain, and getting picked as a captain of the team is an honor. The team sees how hard you work and how much you care. It’s definitely amazing. I feel like I was more of a lead by example. I didn’t use my voice to harp on guys, but control what you can control, and the chips will fall where they may. 
   
• Winning a Super Bowl was amazing. It was surreal, to be honest. A dream come true. Everything you’ve worked for. Watching it on TV, then being there... I soaked it all in. Being in the biggest game in the world, and then winning it. The next year was a little more sour, but I hold that one close to my heart for sure. Those bonds will never be broken. 
   
• Patrick Mahomes is just a regular dude. It felt like I was in Aggieland. The camaraderie and just how the organization is built. It’s family-oriented. You know the Chiefs fans. I went from Aggieland to Arrowhead, and it was definitely a blessing. Mahomes is a great guy and a great father. We used to play basketball, pickleball and have just a whole team experience.
   
• I’m in Dallas now, training kids, trying to get clientele up. My daughter is four. My son is two. He’ll be three in November. They keep me busy and on my toes. I’m trying to get back to my streams. I used to stream my video games, but have not ever since my kids were born.
   
• I think Mike Elko is trying to build that program and solidify A&M in the SEC. He’s trying to get both sides to gel together and move in the right direction. Especially with how that defense is moving around, if both sides are clicking, it's going to be scary in Aggieland. 
   
• I think it could be an easy fix, but it's easier for me to say that on the sidelines. There are some guys who will be able to use their experience to help the younger guy. I feel like the chemistry with this team will be better.
   
• That’s what football is: Being able to be ready to pop up at any moment and make the plays like Marcel Reed. Once you take it, keep on going, and I think he’s done an exceptional job on and off the field. I think it’ll be a big year for him. I think he’s a leader for the team, and everyone will rally around him. We’ll see some big things from him for sure.
   
• Kyle Field was crazy for sure. I know the USC game, they got a little turnt up before the game. It's been multiple times on third-down big plays where I can’t hear anything. It’s like after the game, like, “Damn, my voice is gone.” It was the best stadium in the country, no doubt.
   
• Coach Sumlin taught me a lot of things outside the football field. He had an open-door policy, so he had a really special place in my heart, and really, the whole staff.
   
• The CFL was a little different, but the game is crazy difference is with how the offense is run over there. It’s a smooth game over there, and Canada was nice. They definitely took care of us, but it's a completely different game and a bigger field. It was fun being out there.
   
• You can hit the ball backwards, and the defense could get the ball. Pre-snap, there’s a big take-off lead, like, “How am I going to cover you in man when you had 15 yards to take off before the snap?”