WASHINGTON — Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke grew up about an hour outside Atlanta, Georgia but was never an Atlanta Falcons fan.
“I was never a Falcons fan,” said Heinicke. His father is from Wisconsin and raised him as a Brett Favre and Green Bay Packers fan. “My dad was born in Wisconsin, so right when I came out, I was a cheesehead all the way. I grew up a lot watching (Packers quarterbacks) Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.”
Heinicke's father, Brett, passed away in 2013, the victim of a heart attack at the age of 50. On Sunday, The Washington Football Team will travel to Lambeau Field, the home stadium for the Green Bay Packers. In a one-on-one interview with WUSA9, Heinicke admits, this game will feel a bit different.
"Going up there and starting against those guys is going to be a very emotional ride," said Heinicke.
Sunday will be Heinicke's 8th career start at quarterback, 7th with the Washington Football Team.
"I've been there before when I was with the [Minnesota] Vikings. I never suited up," he said. "I wasn't playing."
Heinicke is a true cheeshead. "I loved cheese. I used to make queso every Sunday."
This Sunday, Heinicke will look to beat the team he grew up watching.
Heinicke was named Washington’s starter after veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick sustained a partially dislocated hip injury in Week 2. He’s expected to miss around eight weeks, giving Heinicke plenty of time to stake his claim.
Heinicke's mother and step-dad have never missed a game and will be at every single Washington Football Team game this season.