John Grant Jr. is often referred to as  the G.O.A.T.

Greatest of all time.

Three games into his comeback, the 44-year-old Denver Outlaws attackman provided empirical proof of that distinction, breaking Major League Lacrosse’s all-time points record.

When Grant retired after the 2016 season, he was atop that list with a total of 592 points across the regular season and postseason. While he was a member of the Outlaws coaching staff, his record was broken by former New York Lizards midfielder Paul Rabil, who left MLL with 596 points.

Grant acknowledged the excitement and attention breaking the record brings to the league, but he also said it bothers him the number of times he has heard he only returned from retirement to do so.

“I’ve never played for those things,” he said. “I didn’t want to do this just for publicity. I wanted to make the team and contribute. I didn’t play well in the first weekend, and I benched myself. This third game, I played better and stayed in the whole time.

“Some people are asking if I’ll retire now, but no,” he added. “I’m hoping to hoist the cup in October as a player-coach.”

Grant said the first time he broke the MLL scoring record, he didn’t even know he was close. That was obviously not the case the second time around, but he said he’s been more focused on challenging himself to make the team and be a contributor on the field.

While Grant said he wasn’t happy with his level of play in the first week of the season, he still has put points on the board in each game. Grant has scored the first Denver goal in all three of the team’s games. The one he is most proud of is the one from the third game against Atlanta, the same game in which he broke the record.

“I dodged, beat my guy, and got to the right five-and-five, which is where I used to do most of my damage,” he said. “Not knowing I could dodge effectively anymore — which is not what they want me doing; they want me to do more off-ball — it was good dodging and not letting anyone else do all the work.”

Later in the game, Grant broke the record with an assist to Brendan Kavanagh. He once again was able to get to the right side, above goal-line extended, backing his way in.

“I’m going to find myself getting to that right five-and-five on the right more than the left. I can’t push off my left leg that much anymore,” he said. “No one slid, but I could get my eyes around. All five defenders had their eyes on me. [Kavanagh] cut to the cage, and I was able to find him.”

Kavanagh, a midfielder from Hofstra who made his MLL debut in the first game of the season against the New York Lizards, was honored to be a part of the history-making moment. It is a scene that vividly sticks out in his mind.

“We were pretty deep in the possession. We got a fresh 60-second shot clock off a ride back,” he said. “Junior got the ball on the end line. He’s a left-handed player, and I saw him drive up with his right and pump and go back to his left. I figured I should find his eyes. No one was moving. The defensemen were watching Junior, because he’s dangerous with behind-the-backs and no-looks. It was a cool feed and a great finish. It was a special moment to be a part of.”

While history was on the line, Kavanagh said he didn’t feel any extra pressure on the play.

“When you’re in the moment, you’re not thinking too heavily about it,” he said. “Any time Junior sets you up, you want to take advantage of it. I wanted to do my job and finish the play.”

Kavanagh is one of several young players on the new-look Denver offense, alongside rookies Chris Aslanian and Kyle Killen. Additionally, midfielders Zach Currier and Mikie Schlosser — both third-year players — did not get the opportunity to play alongside Grant.

Being Grant’s teammate is not something Kavanagh thought he’d ever be able to do, but he has enjoyed the experience immensely.

“I knew a ton about him, how dominant he was and still is,” he said. “He was pretty much unstoppable at one point in his career. He was one of the first players I followed with the behind-the-backs, around-the-worlds, one-handed shuffles, all those crazy plays. It made me fall in love with the game more and try to implement those plays into my own game.”

Being on the field has also benefitted Grant in his role as the team’s offensive coordinator.

“The last few years, I coached from my experience. I used the experience from playing for so long,” he said. “Now, it’s doing that and not, ‘Do as I say,’ but, ‘Do what I’m trying to do myself.’ It’s been great to direct traffic while I’m out there. It’s difficult to get directions and instructions to guys from the sidelines. To be out there as a player, it’s pretty cool. I never was a vocal leader. I played and stayed within myself.

“Now, I’m almost like a captain myself,” he added. “Some are like, ‘Oh, you’ll draw up the plays for yourself.’ I’m trying not to do that.”

Grant is not focused on statistics or records. He is focused on winning another championship, what would be the sixth in his MLL career. He said records were meant to be broken, and he had some ideas of guys who could eventually unseat him for a second time.

“Obviously Rob Pannell. If he keeps breaking his own record for points in a season, and they added games, I’m sure he’ll do that,” he said, referring to how each team in the league will play 16 games this season as opposed to 14 in previous seasons. “To watch and play with Zach Currier, he’ll keep dominating. Lyle Thompson, the guy has a thousand points in college. If he continues to play in MLL, he’ll score a lot of points. Every team has a lot of guys.”

Right now, the record is a long way away for many players, including Kavanagh.

“That’s going to take a while,” he said, laughing when asked if he had his eyes on the record. “I don’t know if it’s something I should be thinking of yet. I’m happy to be a part of the team and learn everything Junior has to offer.”

Just like the record, Grant also isn’t worried about coming back and possibly hurting his legacy as the G.O.A.T.

What he’s excited about is his family getting to see him play one more season.

“My daughter, getting her to see me play now that she’s 9, it’s not something she could remember [when she was younger],” he said. “It’ll be special to have her on the sideline on the field on the 27th.

“I know I’m not the player I was. I wasn’t even the player I was when I finished,” he added. “If I can’t [play], I’ll unceremoniously fade away into the coaching role. There will be some games I just play man-up if my body isn’t holding up. It’s a great opportunity to lace them up again. It’s been a dream.”