Moving to a new city is never easy, but moving from rural Tennessee and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to the heart of Southern California is a different beast entirely. Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson is currently experiencing that massive shift firsthand, and he isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at his own expense.
During his introductory press conference with the Rams, Simpson jokingly described himself as a “redneck in Los Angeles.” In a conversation with Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, the rookie explained why.
“Well, I said that because I’m a kid from rural west Tennessee, in Martin, who grew up on just hunting and fishing, and wearing boots and jeans, and then coming to L.A., having a different lifestyle,” Simpson said. “Also, I went to Alabama, which is about as redneck as it gets, and then coming to L.A. was like a culture shock. I feel like I’m fitting in pretty good, but I still believe that I’m a redneck in L.A.”
There is a quintessential L.A. experience Simpson still has yet to endure as a resident: the infamous Southern California traffic. He doesn’t actually own a car yet, so the first-round pick has been relying on his own two feet and ride-sharing apps to get around.
“No. I actually don’t have a car, so I walk and Uber everywhere, but I haven’t had a chance to go through the freeway and things like that yet,” Simpson admitted. “But I’m kind of looking forward to it because I’ve heard it’s unreal.”
That, more than anything, might be the biggest surprise for the Rams rookie.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams rookie Ty Simpson explains why he feels out of place in L.A.
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
