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Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. reflects on rapid ascension to fame

Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

In a 14-month span, Odell Beckham Jr. went from being a talented prospect to one of the most recognizable athletes in America.

Beckham Jr.'s tour-de-force rookie campaign saw the New York Giants wide receiver record 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. He captured the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as the starring member of one of the best freshman classes in recent NFL history.

However, the accolades and endorsements began to pour in after the season, with Beckham Jr. capturing the Madden NFL 16 cover and securing an appearance in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.

The LSU product reflected on his spectacular rise to fame Wednesday.

"I can post a picture of my dog on Instagram, and there will be people getting into fights in the comment section," Beckham Jr. told Monday Morning Quarterback's Emily Kaplan.

During a Sunday Night Football game on November 23, Beckham Jr. vaulted to national prominence after recording arguably the greatest catch in NFL history, a one-hander hauled in while diving backwards and being grabbed by Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr. Temporarily shattering the internet, Beckham Jr.'s jersey from that game went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Although it helped put him on the map, Beckham Jr. was reluctant to discuss the play.

"You don't go out and try to make a catch like that," he said. "If the opportunity presents itself, and that's your only option, that's what you do. But you teach yourself to catch with two hands. If I go out there and do just what I'm supposed to do, people might say it’s not good enough."

At 22, Beckham Jr. is healthily wary of his growing stardom.

"(Cardinals safety) Tyrann (Mathieu) would tell me how blinding the spotlight is," Beckham Jr. said. "Everything is coming at you so fast, he said, you feel like you can't be touched. But the fact of the matter is, you can."

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