Cowboys CB Amani Oruwariye picked up Mamba Mentality with the game-winning INT vs. Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – This was special for Cowboys cornerback Amani Oruwariye. He was informed on Wednesday afternoon that he could be promoted from the training squad to the matchday squad due to health issues in the secondary.

He received notification Thursday morning that he would be activated, and although he wasn't sure how much he would play, he finished with an interception in the Cowboys' 20-15 victory over the Giants on Thursday night.

Oruwariye began the game on the bench, but began the second half with starter Andrew Booth on the bench.

The Cowboys started Booth since Caelen Carson was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Booth was beaten by a double-move by Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers on a long reception in the first half and had nothing but trouble overall.

At halftime, the Cowboys told Oruwariye he would take the lead.

All Oruwariye could think about was having a Mamba mentality like the late basketball star Kobe Bryant. Oruwariye wore Bryant's shirt in the locker room after the game and noticed the mommy snake tattooed on his left arm.

This was evident because Oruwariye's interception with five seconds left sealed the win and served as a reminder of how Bryant would close out games for the Lakers.

“That was my attitude, Mamba,” he said. “I got into my mamba mode. I also got it tattooed on me. I just try to do my best every day and that’s what I tried to do today.”

As Oruwariye spoke to reporters, Dak Prescott was nearby, crying as the new cornerback said he was a ballhawk and that he was tackled against him in the first practice.

It's been a long road for Oruwariye. He was a fifth-round pick by the Lions in 2019 and left in free agency after four seasons. He signed with the New York Giants in 2023 and was released in the summer. He signed with the Jacksonville practice squad and played in only one game. He was released this August before the Cowboys signed him to their practice squad.

This season, Carson, a freshman, moved into the starting lineup due to an injury to starter DaRon Bland (toe). But after Carson's injury, the Cowboys explored several options before the Giants game.

“Obviously we didn’t have a lot of work this week, just in the short week,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “But these guys are constantly competing. In terms of numbers it was really a close call. We actually had three guys that we talked about playing at that (Carsons) spot. So all thanks to our group.”

Oruwariye finished his Cowboys debut with two pass breakups and the pick.

Getting the interception, the 10th of his career and first since 2021, against the Giants was a little sweeter.

“Of course it’s a business,” he said. “It definitely gave me a little extra motivation.”

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