By Jim Gehman, Player Engagement Insider
It has been a jam-packed year for Los Angeles Rams safety Cody Davis.
Like others in the organization, he and his wife, Ashley, made the move from St. Louis to Southern California. They also welcomed their first child, a son, Kane Matthew Davis, to the world.
“It’s been great. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, but L.A.’s been a smooth transition,” Davis said. “We love the weather. The people have been super nice and welcomed us with opened arms. We had a good church family back in St. Louis and friends, just getting out here, especially with the newborn and settling down, finding that church home, we’re glad to be here.”
In addition to finding a place to live, opening boxes, changing diapers and wearing out the GPS while experiencing Los Angeles’ infamous traffic, Davis also secured his immediate future by negotiating and agreeing to a new contract with the Rams.
“The Rams have been good to us ever since coming out (of Texas Tech in 2013) as an undrafted free agent,” Davis said. “I’ve really liked their loyalty and everything they’ve done for me, so I was really excited to sign the two-year deal. I didn’t want to hit the market and go to a bunch of different places and force their hand on anything. So, I tried to make it as easy and seamless as possible and give back to the guys that gave me the opportunity in the first place.”
Giving back is very important to Davis. Period. Whether it’s in the Los Angeles area, where he has visited schools and hospitals as well as participated in different charitable ventures such as the Play 60 Field Day and Holiday Mail for Heroes, or back in his hometown of Stephenville, Texas.
“I’ve always wanted to be in this position I am today, being in the NFL, first and foremost to give back to the community and be a good role model,” Davis said. “This platform that we have is just an awesome opportunity. But it’s also a responsibility to give back. I try to do that through the sharing of my faith. I kind of break it down to faith, family and football.
“I try and give back to the communities that have helped me get to where I am. I’m definitely trying to jump on any serving opportunities that the Rams have and look forward to getting out more in the community. Especially when I get free time to find opportunities to help serve.”
What does Davis hope the young people he’s having the chance to interact with take away from their meetings?
“I think (that I’m) just being a good role model for them to kind of look up to, somebody who’s not as flashy and not about the money or the cars or anything like that,” he said. “Show them it’s just a real person here and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where you want to go. And learn to give back to your community and serve is also very important.
“It’s so fun to be out in front of the community, get face-to-face with kids. I just love doing that, hearing their reactions and things they say. Everybody’s been super excited and super welcoming. It’s just been a real warm reception. They’re definitely excited to have football back in L.A.”
A standout on special teams, Davis’ relentless effort on the field is a prime reason why the fans are excited. Through the first 10 games of the 2016 season, he has earned Pro Bowl consideration by co-leading the Rams with seven tackles on special teams to go along with seven stops as a backup safety on defense. His gridiron mindset is straightforward.
“It’s do everything possible to help my team win, wherever I’m needed,” Davis said. “Obviously coming in, everybody wants to play offense or defense and I’m the same way. I want to play defense, but more importantly I want to do whatever role I’m called to. I have some pretty good safeties playing in front of me and have been given the opportunity to play special teams and I just do that all out and try to make the plays when they’re presented.
“I think (head coach Jeff) Fisher and (special teams coordinator John) Fassel make an emphasis of special teams. We get undrafted free agents that are really motivated to go out and prove themselves, produce and work hard. That’s kind of what our special teams are built around.”
Davis continued. “I have personal goals, but you definitely put the team goals first. Personally, like I said, I want to go out there and produce. It’d be great to earn a Pro Bowl spot. That just is evidence of you producing on the field and that helps your team win.”