Domonique Orange - , vikings Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-17 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 17, 2026, Domonique Orange addressed the media during a press conference for the Minnesota Vikings. The event followed the team's recent victory and focused on their upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Transcript
Orange: Are you still riding an emotional high from last Sunday?
Orange: I'm not, you know, as much as I want to, I'm not, you know, kind of moved on to next week, you know, preparing for Chicago Bears, not preparing for the Packers no more, so. My house kind of went down, but, you know, ready to roll now.
Reporter: Was it fun though, like Sunday and Monday, maybe Tuesday and the off day, just looking back at all the text messages I'm guessing you got, and just thinking about that big stop you had on 4,000?
Orange: Yeah, 1,000%. All the messages I got from my family members, all the things I got, you know, my mom sent this stuff to me that people say on the internet, stuff like that. So, I mean, it was all a blessing, and I was so happy, you know, to be able to do that in my first NFL game, but I miss whatever now. It's kind of in the past, but I'm excited it happened, but I'm ready to roll.
Reporter: I mean, you did say immediately after the game started, it's almost like you took it personal, but they decided to go forward instead of taking the three points. Do you still feel that way?
Orange: Yeah, of course. I mean, as I should. I mean, I think, I mean, we did the same thing, and at the end of it, they just feel personal. But, hey, it just so happened that they decided to do this. I mean, it's what it is. But at the end of the day, you know, it was a good experience, you know, it was a good win for the team, and came out with a dub, and, you know, on to the next.
Reporter: What stands out when you evaluate the Bears running game?
Orange: Yeah, I mean, De'Andre Swift, for sure. I mean, that man alone, in my opinion, I think he's the top ten back in the league. You know, I've grown up watching him when he was at Georgia, you know, him being that dog. So, I mean, him for sure, you know, he got the O-line that's pretty solid. Have a veteran go. You know, guys like Joe Thunie, Garrett Bradbury, that was here previously. He got Darnell Wright, you know, pretty good guys from top to bottom over there. I mean, they're a complete group, you know. You know, guys like Kayla Williams, he could also be a problem in the running game too, if they decide they want to go that route. But from top to bottom, they're dangerous. And, you know, we're preparing for them as if we're going to prepare for any other day.
Reporter: It's still crazy, I mean, when you say you grew up watching De'Andre Swift and watching him at the University of Georgia, you now get to tackle him on Sunday, that your dream has become a reality?
Orange: Yeah, it's kind of crazy. You know, seeing him being the dog he was at Georgia, you know, he was like another person that wanted the reason why I wanted to go to Georgia. But like, yeah, it's crazy, you know. I say it all the time, playing next to guys like Kyle Murray, you know, I get to play next to guys like Harrison Smith, Justin Jefferson. And then I get to play against guys like Kayla Williams, got to play against the Heisman. De'Andre Swift was dog at Georgia. And, you know, like, even another guy I'm going to point out, like Grady Jarrett, like, guys like that. It's so crazy to me. I used to, like, watch Grady Jarrett tapes and try to implement some of his game into my game, you know. At one time, you know, I thought he was, I heard he was one of the best D linemen in the league, which I still think he's an amazing player. But, you know, being able to see that and being able to, you know, come to league and play against guys like that is so crazy to me. It's really a dream come true.
Reporter: How do you duplicate some of that Grady stuff? Like, he's just such a monster. Like, is there a bigger defensive tackle than him? Like, he's just so big. Like, I don't even know how you would duplicate it.
Orange: Yeah, I'm going to be honest, you don't. I'm going to be honest, some of the stuff that he does, it's insane. And being able to move like that so well, like I said, he's one of the specimens in the league, even when he was at the Falcons, he was a specimen. And I haven't found anybody to really replicate that yet, and I think he's still a great player to this day.
Reporter: Maybe Dexter Lawrence?
Orange: Dexter Lawrence a dog, too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He that man, too. But, you know, great guys around the league, you know. Like I said, I still watch the tape around the league trying to implement some of the things into my game and be the best player I can be. But like I said, going against a good group, I'm super excited. You know, I can't wait for what the future holds.
