The first time Gary Brightwell talked to New York media after being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, he spoke excitedly about playing special teams. Many players entering the NFL, stars at every level leading to pro football, are turned off by the grunt work of special teams.
Brightwell’s excitement, though, did not surprise J.D. Maull, his high school football coach.
“No, no, no. In high school he always wanted to be on special teams and we played him on special teams. So he knew the value of special teams,” Maull told Big Blue View.