Linebacker Jaylon Smith, a 2016 second-pick of the Cowboys who is trying to resurrect his career with the Giants, tackles some Q&A with Pot columnist Steve Serby.

Q: How would you sum up how your NFL career has unfolded?

A: It’s been a blessing, it’s been a lesson. I’ve had to beat the odds from the beginning. And this story is still getting wrote, so I’m just thankful to be here and being able to do what I love and play this game at a high level.

Q: Is the best yet to come for Jaylon Smith?

A: Absolutely.

Q: What do you visualize?

A: A Super Bowl ring.

Q: Do you think you can be a Pro Bowl player again?

A: I will show that every chance that I get, I will show that.

Q: After your 2016 Fiesta Bowl knee injury with Notre Dame, what was the low point emotionally for you?

A: I had never been hurt in my life before, so that was really the first experience. I was No. 1 linebacker, two-time Butkus Award winner, All-American, all of that good stuff. I was gonna be a top-three pick in the draft. I suffered a career-threatening injury, so it was just like, “Dang, why now?” That was kind of the initial thought, honestly.

Q: During the ups and downs of rehab, what was the low point emotionally after the rehab began?

A: I couldn’t afford to have negative thoughts. Because there were so many around. Doctors looked you in the eye and tell you you may never play the game again after having a lot of success. I’ve been playing the game since I was 7 years old. That was a thought that I … I really had to endure that. But I just took it and turned it into something positive, which goes down to my core values, which I call a “clear-eye view.” It’s how I walk, it’s how I operate through life. And it’s defined into three terms: a focused vision, a determined belief and earned dreams. So a focused vision is about having like a laser-beam focus on something that you want to accomplish. Going out and actually being able to see it, envision it. A determined belief is a self-belief … having a strong belief capacity, a belief in God that he has your back. Understanding that there’s others in this world that believe in you. And then earned dreams is just about like how bad do you want it? What work are you willing to put in to accomplish that goal? … I just had to continue to feed myself positive thoughts because everything around me was, “Oh, he may never play again. Oh, he was a great college athlete, but suffered this career-threatening injury.” I couldn’t lift my foot up for an entire year, so a lot of patience was definitely tested for sure.

Q: Did you ever think your NFL career could be over before it began?

A: I couldn’t think that. I had too many people already thinking that and stating that. I couldn’t even fixate my mind to that.

Q: Your brother Rod, a running back, was with the Cowboys when they drafted you.

A: Being able to go to work with him, and just not have to go through things alone, that was definitely a great advantage for real.

Q: Can you ever be the same player again?

A: I’m gonna continue to show it here. The Giants have blessed me with an opportunity to show what I can do and to add value to this team. That’s what I’ve done ever since I’ve been here and I’ll continue to do that. I love being a vet here, a guy who’s had a lot of success, and a lot of adversity. So I’m just a walking image of both sides of life. It’s a cycle, life is a cycle, it really is. I’m just gonna continue to be an example.

Q: What kind of player do you see yourself as now?

A: Elite, dominant, seasoned.

Q: What kind of feeling does that give you after all you’ve overcome?

A: A great feeling, because it’s God’s work, and regardless of everything that I’ve been through, there’s always a chance to rise. And for me, I’m just about feeling every single feeling, every single thought, every single moment. Life is not all cookies and crumbles. But the more that we can be present with where we are, I think the better. So I’ve learned that through time, through experience, through being forced to. And just having the right people around me that helps keep me grounded. I’m a sponge. I just soak everything in, like I’m never satisfied. I’m just thankful to be here, man.

Q: Why weren’t you with the Giants in training camp?

A: I didn’t get signed. … I don’t know.

Q: And why did the Packers cut you in November last season?

A: It came down to just business and politics. But it’s all a part of it, it’s all a part of the game. I can only control what I can control. It comes down to opportunity. And right now I’m getting an opportunity to show that.

Q: Describe your on-field mentality.

A: A leader, a pro’s pro, a guy who you want in your foxhole … not afraid of anything. … You’re gonna see my passion, you’re gonna see my hustle, and you’re gonna see me make plays. And, most importantly, you’re gonna see the effect that I have on the players around me. I’m a humble guy, but I also have a lot of tenacity.

Q: How would you compare the Dallas Cowboys Way to the New York Giants Way?

A: I can’t do that. I spent 5 ¹/₂ years in Dallas. But what I can say is I love being here in the Big Apple, and I love the camaraderie that we’re building. … [GM] Joe Schoen. he’s from Elkhart, Indiana. I’m an Indiana Hoosier myself, from the Hoosier State, went to Notre Dame. I love the environment here. We’re building something special. But the only thing that matters is what we do now.

Q: Whatever comes to mind: defensive coordinator Wink Martindale?

A: Hungry. Never satisfied … wants the best out of everyone.

Q: Saquon Barkley?

A: Competitive … ultra-competitive.

Q: How about ability-wise?

A: When healthy, the closest thing to Barry Sanders.

Q: Kayvon Thibodeaux?

A: Kayvon is charismatic. … He can put a smile on anyone’s face. … He can also challenge anyone to think.

Q: Daniel Jones?

A: Him and I are close. He wants it. And I believe in him.

Q: Why do you believe in him?

A: Because of his drive. He really loves the game of football. He puts in the work, and he’s a sponge, he soaks everything in. I love him, I’m with him. … We’re gonna keep rocking!

Q: How did you guys become close?

A: Some mutual battles when I was in Dallas, just mutual respect. But last year, we got to spend a lot of time in the sauna. I came here last year for the last month of the season. We got a lot of sauna talks, just building great relationships, great rapport. Really good guy.

Q: Brian Daboll?

A: Players coach. … A guy you want to ride for.

Q: Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons?

A: He can be whatever he wants to be. He’s an elite talent. … He has all the intangibles to be Lawrence Taylor reincarnated. Whether that’ll happen or not is on him and then by the grace of God.

Q: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones?

A: The greatest salesman I’ve ever met in all of my life.

Q: How disappointed were you or are you that you didn’t get to be a Cowboy for life, getting released in October last season?

A: Regardless of what I want, God has a plan. The biggest thing for me was just about doing things the right way. The one thing that I have is respect from anybody that I meet. If I say I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna do it. I just like to pride myself on controlling what I can control. I can only control what I can control, and it’s just a blessing to still be able to play the game I love.

Q: Criticism for wearing Tony Romo’s No. 9 with Dallas in 2021?

A: It’s always gonna be criticism anytime you make a decision. But for me, No. 9 is dear to my heart. It’s my favorite number. It’s God’s strongest number. I’m very spiritual. I’ve also been wearing it since I was 9 years old, from pee wee to middle school to high school to college. It was a deeper meaning behind it, but Tony did a great job at setting a legacy there. It was a wonderful … short opportunity (smile).

Q: What drives you?

A: What drives me the most is fulfilling my purpose that God has for me: making my mama proud.

Q: You’re a self-proclaimed mama’s boy?

A: I think I came out of the womb a mama’s boy, honestly. Always wanted to be around her. I was raised by a great set of parents and family around. She’s been through a lot, she’s had to deal with a lot of adversity, and to see how she’s handled everything that she’s gone through in her life has just motivated me, it’s helped teach me. The biggest thing she taught me to be is observant.

Q: If you could pick the brain of any linebacker in NFL history, who would it be?

A: I’ve already sat down with Derrick Brooks, that was one of ’em. I would probably say Willie Lanier. I had a coach, my defensive coordinator, a great guy, name is Rod Marinelli, and he one day told me back in probably 2018, that I reminded him of Willie Lanier. One of the greatest linebackers ever. I watch his clips all the time.

Q: If you could go one-on-one in the open field with any running back in NFL history?

A: Barry Sanders or Bo Knows [Bo Jackson].

Q: What was your best Notre Dame moment?

A: Probably three years after I left to go to the NFL, winning a playoff game, and we [Cowboys] end up losing in the second round, and that next week I enrolled in school to finish my degree [film television and theater]. I promised my mom I would finish.

Q: Your favorite Notre Dame football memory?

A: I started as a true freshman, and it was Senior Night, and there was a linebacker prior to the season who was a senior, and he was playing the position that I end up starting at, but he had to retire from football (chronic migraines). But he took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew. I end up becoming freshman All-American, all of that good stuff. His name was Danny Spond, and he wore No. 13. So during their Senior Night, it was probably the coldest game I ever played at Notre Dame, versus BYU. I had a great game, but I also wore Danny Spond’s number, No. 13, in honor of him. That was a great moment, for sure. And I would say No. 2 is winning the Butkus Award. It was my second time winning it, I won it in high school as well.

Q: Favorite players growing up?

A: Mike Vrabel and Clinton Portis.

Q: Why Vrabel?

A: I loved how versatile he was, he really had a knack for the ball, he could get after it. He’s multi-talented, he could catch, he could run, he could tackle, he could pass rush … all capabilities that I possess.

Q: What did you learn working at Burger King in high school?

A: (Smile) Man, I learned so much. I wanted to see what the workforce was like. I got a chance to understand all different walks of life. People who can’t even speak English, to pregnant mothers. … Sometimes putting a smile on someone’s face is the best thing you can do. I had a great time.

Q: You made $7.50 an hour?

A: Yeah, 7 ¹/₂ bucks an hour. It was my first time making my own money … flipping burgers, making milkshakes.

Q: You took bowling in high school?

A: I love bowling. I got to a 210 average in college.

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: LeBron James; Henry Ford, the first one; Jeff Bezos.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: “Colombiana.”

Q: Favorite actor?

A: Denzel Washington.

Q: Favorite actresses?

A: Angelina Jolie and Zoe Saldana.

Q: Favorite singer/entertainer?

A: Jacquees.

Q: Favorite meal?

A: Fried catfish and spaghetti with garlic bread.

Q: What do you think of life after football?

A: I’m an athlete entrepreneur currently. Wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was 11 years old. I’m not just a football player, and that’s just how it’s always been in my DNA. But I love this game, and I’m gonna give it all I got.

Q: What message would you want to give to New York Giants fans about Jaylon Smith?

A: I’m Jaylon Smith, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, the graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and I’m just thankful to be in the Big Apple with the New York Giants. I love the fans, I love the camaraderie, I love the energy that we have, and just continue to ride with us. I know I’m new to this side, coming from Dallas for so long, but one thing I want the fans to know is that every single time I’m out on that field, you’re gonna get my all. And you’re gonna see me add value to this team. We have a close niche, and we’re building something.