Tress Way is the longest-tenured player on the Washington Commanders’ roster. Way has been with Washington since 2014, and there probably aren’t too many specialists as popular with their community, teammates, and fan base as Way.
The two-time Pro Bowl punter was in the news this spring after the Commanders selected quarterback Jayden Daniels in the NFL draft. Way gave his No. 5 to Daniels.
It was an emotional moment for Way, but he believed he had made the right decision for the sake of the organization.
During Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Jets, Way launched a 54-yard punt in the fourth quarter that Jets returner Brandon Codrington appeared to have some green grass in front of him. However, Way would have none of it, coming out of nowhere for an impressive form tackle and stopping Codrington after a 13-yard return.
Here’s the play, and notice the reactions of his teammates.
.@Tress_Way with the tackle and the guys were loving it
#WASvsNYJ @WUSA9 pic.twitter.com/z22UaxQgcJ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 10, 2024
Everyone rallied to Way, led by linebacker Frankie Luvu.
Everybody loves Tress Way.
On Sunday, safety and special-teams stalwart Jeremy Reaves, a close friend of Way and his family, made a promise to Way’s wife on Instagram.
While his teammates loved it, you can bet general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and special teams coach Larry Izzo loved it even more. They stress competing on every snap, and Way’s tackle — in the preseason — is the epitome of competing.
It’s not every day you see a punter running down the field and getting physical, much less in the preseason. That’s why Tress Way is one of one.