How a rap song fits the Bill — and teaches an old reporter new tricks

ASHBURN, Va. — This old, unhip reporter has been asked questions by the young, cool athletes he’s covered over the years.

Maybe about some aspect of my job or, based on my past day-to-day beat writer role, breaking NBA news. They certainly have questioned my footwear.

None of the topics involved rap music.

Until Thursday.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt paused his slow-paced walk from the Commanders’ practice field to the team’s main building when he agreed to chat with Team 980 radio host Chris Russell following the daily on-field work. I stood by, hoping for a few moments as well.

As they began wrapping up the brief football Q&A — how “Bill” feels entering his second season (“Year two! Definitely excited”), where he’s improved the most (“be a better me, my skills”) and so on — the laid-back running back with an uncanny ability to shift directions with the football suddenly pivoted his body in my direction.

“I heard you heard my song!” he said.

Indeed.