Cardinals C Hjalte Froholdt celebrates contract extension with ‘raw, just raw steak’

Arizona Cardinals center Hjalte Froholdt signed a two-year contract extension Wednesday, and while his play in the middle of the line was the main impetus for the team wanting to get a deal done, Froholdt’s personality and leadership is a large part of his presence on the field and in the locker room.

That prompted a funny exchange Wednesday when Froholdt, who celebrated his 28th birthday Tuesday, met with the media after practice following head coach Jonathan Gannon’s session with reporters before practice.

Gannon chuckled when asked what Froholdt’s personality can mean to a group and to a team. He said, “He’s a different cat. I kind of connect with that … I don’t want to say meathead, but I kind of connect with that a little bit. It was his birthday yesterday. I said, ‘Get yourself a steak.’ He says, ‘Absolutely.’ I said, ‘No cake and ice cream.’ He goes, ‘No way.’

“Then we were talking about how he was going to get his steak done and I think he ended on, ‘It’s just gonna be bloody rare.’ That’s just how he is. I don’t know how old he turned. He’s young still, but he’s a cool character, man. He really is.”

A little over two hours later, Froholdt said contract talks went back and forth and it “just happened to fall right after my birthday, so worked out great. We had a good off day yesterday. Celebrated my birthday. It’s my little baby girl’s birthday today. So just hung out and let the process take care of itself. Got some steak last night, so that’s all that mattered.”

When noted that Gannon had mentioned the steak being “bloody,” Froholdt simply said, “Raw. Just raw steak. Complete liver king action. It was great.”

Asked if he was the cook or ate out, Froholdt said, “We went somewhere where they cook them better than I could ever cook them. Apparently, it’s a little south, but I love a filet. It’s not too fat, still has a lot of taste in it and if they can cook it well, then it’s worth it, but it’s hard to cook.

“We went to a place where I know they can cook it well.”

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