'That is simply Keon': The genuine Payments rookie large receiver goes far past viral moments

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Keon Coleman sees your social media feedback.

“Every little thing,” the Buffalo Bills rookie large receiver clarifies. “I do not exit my option to see it, however I see all the things. It is humorous … it is laughable trigger no one actually is aware of me besides my household. So, it is like, I do not actually care. It do not have an effect on me. I am mentally robust.”

There are some misconceptions concerning the youngest participant on the Payments, or at the least the facet of him the world noticed when he first grew to become an NFL participant. Coleman, who turned 21 in Could, was being his genuine self, however the web — as could be the case — ran with issues.

Maybe you’ve got seen the clips. All samples of, “That is simply Keon.” It is a phrase that comes up typically.

Examples embody: Coleman talking about his yellow jacket after a reporter requested about it throughout his introductory information convention; Coleman running down the field in his new residence stadium and visualizing a landing; Coleman grabbing a cookie on his method out of the Payments media room; Coleman describing himself as “Tiger Wish-He-Could,” in reference to his golf sport.

Social media was lit ablaze by the participant who arrived at One Payments Drive and was merely himself.

The movies had been far-reaching sufficient that Corridor of Fame large receiver Andre Reed surprised Coleman on his birthday on the NFLPA Rookie Premiere occasion in the same yellow jacket and with cookies.

A straight-shooter, Coleman would not perceive the place the idea that he loves cookies got here from — he was simply hungry. He stated he would not have any in his residence; “individuals blow all the things out of proportion,” he stated.

It is all genuine, but solely scratches the floor.

“I am slightly extra closed off than individuals might imagine due to an interview,” Coleman instructed ESPN. “You bought to see a few of that, however individuals do not actually, actually know me how they assume they know me.”

ALL EYES WERE going to be on any large receiver the Payments introduced in after shifting on from Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

As this new chapter continues with a Week 2 divisional matchup visiting the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night time (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) the thirty third general choose might be fascinating to look at develop, with the potential for loads of highlight-reel catches on the horizon.

Coleman bought off to a strong begin as a blocker and receiver in Week 1’s 34-28 win over the Cardinals, main Buffalo’s receivers in snaps (73%) and all receiving classes (4 receptions on 5 targets for 51 yards). That included one eye-popping sideline catch on the profitable drive. Within the weeks main as much as his first NFL sport, Coleman’s quiet confidence was obvious, as was his authenticity.

“He will spit out stuff that he really believes in, whether or not it is outrageous or not, and that is simply him, and he is an genuine man and he is a loyal man, too,” Randy Livingston, Coleman’s AAU basketball coach, who’s shut with the household, stated.

The enjoyable, chatty and joking character is a major a part of Coleman. There’s additionally cerebral and targeted Coleman, who’s intent on being profitable for himself, the Payments and his neighborhood again in Opelousas, Louisiana. Coleman’s NFL journey is simply starting.

A part of that journey consists of making ready for the historical past of the group he is becoming a member of.

Coleman and his agent, Paul DeRousselle, watched the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, “4 Falls of Buffalo,” earlier than he headed off for coaching camp.

DeRousselle famous how Coleman wasn’t taking a look at his cellphone in any respect whereas they watched the story of how the Payments went to and misplaced 4 straight Tremendous Bowls.

“He was actually locked in, and he needs to be a kind of guys that helps town do one thing that it hasn’t completed earlier than,” DeRousselle stated.

Coleman, when requested concerning the documentary, stated he bought mad watching it.

“I used to be like, ‘I wasn’t even part of it,'” he stated. “… I stated, ‘I do not need to maintain watching that s—.’ Turned it off. I stated, ‘That is sufficient.'”

“RAVEN WASN’T PLAYING with Keon.”

That is how DeRousselle started when describing Coleman’s household.

Coleman’s mom, Raven Savoy, and his grandmother, Paula, raised Coleman and his 4 siblings. His eldest brother, Kaylen, has performed a father determine function in his life. Coleman has his mom and grandmother’s names tattooed on reverse sides of his neck.

Whereas Coleman confirmed athletic expertise from the soar — corresponding to hitting off a baseball tee at 3 or 4 years previous — teachers had been prioritized.

Savoy motivated him to maintain his grades up so he may take part in sports activities, prioritizing that for her children after she stated she noticed so many with potential from their neighborhood fall quick on account of teachers. Coleman needed to take up karate, so Savoy stated she would dedicate the sources if he saved a 4.0. Ultimately, karate needed to be dropped in favor of baseball. Coleman was the type of child that at all times wanted an exercise to channel his vitality. Savoy recollects individuals would say Coleman was “a nasty child,” however actually, Coleman simply wanted to be occupied.

There’s one factor that everybody agrees with about Coleman: When he is snug, he has no scarcity of issues to say.

As cornerback Rasul Douglas described him to ESPN as typically, “Too rattling a lot.”

“It isn’t even like one thing, it is simply randomly like, ‘Yo, there was a squirrel, it jumped on a …’ Like bro, what are you speaking about proper now?” Douglas described. “… It is all day, like if you happen to stroll previous Keon proper now, he going to have a narrative to inform you. I am telling you.”

EVEN FROM A younger age, Coleman possessed a confidence in himself.

“He had a aptitude about him,” Livingston stated. “He had only a moxie about him, and I believe he at all times has this confidence about him that’s uncommon in children. … But additionally know he was gonna work very onerous for no matter it’s he need, and that is a uncommon mixture.”

Household pal Jonathan Fisher, with whom Coleman lived throughout highschool after assembly him by means of the nonprofit program Hope for Opelousas, stated he and Savoy did not assume soccer would final lengthy for Coleman. As late as eighth grade, when he began taking part in soccer, he was a lanky child who did not prefer to get hit. A development spurt between freshman and sophomore years contributed to his enjoyment of the sport and talents inside it.

When Coleman was selecting a school, he insisted on taking part in each basketball and soccer.

At Michigan State, Coleman played basketball for one season and appeared in six video games. After his second yr taking part in school soccer — main in all receiving classes — he elected to not return to the basketball program partially to get better from a partial muscle tear close to his hip flexor. He was having success with soccer and having fun with it; the dangers of getting injured on the court docket weren’t price it.

Michigan State males’s basketball coach Tom Izzo recalled considering that it could be onerous for Coleman to choose up the weekly modifications as a result of he was spending a lot time with the soccer program — that did not turn into the case. “Hell, he was higher at it than I used to be,” he stated. “He knew all the things.”

“If he devoted himself to basketball, do I believe he may make it? Possibly,” he added. “I believe his sport is soccer, however I would not put it previous Keon. … He is explosive and he may defend, and there have been a pair video games I put him in shut video games simply to protect individuals. Thought he’d be a soccer participant, after which after his second yr of soccer, I stated, ‘He is bought to be a soccer participant.'”

Coleman stated the choice made itself. Enjoying soccer is extra than simply which sport he is dedicating himself to, it is a beloved sport in Opelousas and he believes taking part in it units instance.

“I discovered a much bigger function [in] taking part in soccer,” he stated. “… I believe soccer was like … it make it extra relatable to children, like, ‘If he can do it, , at the least I may have a shot at it or one thing.'”

Coleman transferred within the spring of 2023 to Florida State — he instructed “DaChosenOnes” podcast it was a part of a “grand scheme” to play at Michigan State for 2 seasons earlier than transferring nearer to residence. “I belong down South,” he instructed the podcast.

In Coleman’s solely season in Tallahassee, he handled accidents and a few inconsistency, however scored 11 touchdowns for the ACC champs. He additionally caught 9 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns in Florida State’s sport in opposition to LSU — his residence state group.

“Me being me is concentrated,” Coleman stated. “Most individuals will see it like, oh, I bought to actually lock in. I haven’t got to do this. I’ve that already. I can lock in and to be joking with you proper now, nonetheless be locked in.”

WHEN COLEMAN WENT to eat at quarterback Josh Allen‘s home earlier this summer time, Allen’s chef made fish. Coleman stated, “What the heck is that this, I am not consuming this,” so he did not. Coleman stated he would not eat fish. Being true to himself has made an impression on his quarterback.

“He is simply not regular. And I imply that in one of the simplest ways,” Allen stated. “He does issues his method and he is at all times him. He is very genuine. … I really like the man.”

There is a confidence to Coleman that permits him to be unafraid of being himself, each the enjoyable and fascinating individual, even on the largest of phases, whereas being dedicated to having success within the NFL for himself — and everybody again in Opelousas.

Earlier than his first sport with the Payments, Coleman was requested by Fisher if he was nervous.

“No, why?” Coleman responded. “I am simply going to go on the market and do what I do.”