Grace Media Group visited Jackson’s Artis Hicks for a question & answer session to discuss Super Bowl LV. Artis, a 2000 graduate of Jackson Central-Merry High School, played collegiately at the University of Memphis, and professionally with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Washington, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.
An offensive lineman, Artis played in the 2005 Super Bowl (2004 season) when the Eagles faced the New England Patriots.
NOTE: Artis Hicks visits ‘The Press Box,’ with Andrew Chapman – FOX SPORTS – Jackson 105.3 FM, 9:30 a.m., Friday.
Question: Can you describe the feeling when the Eagles won the National Football Conference title and advanced to Super Bowl.
Answer: It was the greatest victory of my career on any level. It was a home game in Philly vs. the young dynamic Mike Vick and the Falcons. There was a snow storm that blew in the night before and dumped 10 inches of snow and dropped the temp to -14 with the wind chill factor.
I immediately ran into the locker room after we won the game to get out of the freezing cold. I was in there for about five minutes until I realized none of my teammates were coming in and it dawned upon me that there was a NFC championship ceremony taking place at center field that I was missing so I quickly ran back out as though I needed a restroom break and celebrated with my teammates and family who’d came up to the game.
It was so cold that I had a brain freeze.
Question: What is the week like leading up to the Super Bowl?
Answer: It’s pretty nerve racking due to the anxiety of playing in the biggest game on the biggest stage in all of pro sports. The anxiety worsens each day the closer you get to the game. Couple that with mandatory media sessions answering the same questions over and over from reporters from all over the world and you’re just ready to play and release all the nervous energy on game day. You also spend time with your family as they enjoy the experience but you still have to remain laser focus on the upcoming task at hand. It was the most anxious and nervous I’ve been in my whole life until the opening kick off and all of the camera flashes illuminated the stadium and then the gitters went away because you’re in it at that point.
Question: Do you feel that COVID-19 only adds to the distractions for this year’s game?
Answer: Definitely. I couldn’t imagine taking a Covid test every day for the entire season and post season and having that stress of uncertainty added to the anxiety that naturally comes with the competitive nature of pro sports. It only reinforces the fact that pro athletes’ will to win and perform at the highest level is unrivaled.
Question: What are your thoughts on the possibilities of Kansas City repeating?
Answer: I’m pulling for KC and Andy Reid. Coach Reid is an under appreciated head coach largely because he didn’t have a Super Bowl ring until last season although he’s the second winningest head coach in the NFL over the last 20-to-30 years – second only to Bill Belichik.
I hope he wins a few more before he retires because he’s a great head coach and teacher as well as a hell of a guy. They have a change to build a dynasty with that nucleus of talented young players on that roster.
Question: What are your thoughts on what Tampa Bay has accomplished this year?
Answer: Tampa deserves a lot of credit because they lived up to the expectations of going to the Super Bowl after they signed Brady. Living up to internal and external expectations associated with pro sports is under estimated. It’s great when you do, but jobs and careers are lost when those expectations aren’t met in pro sports.
However, I do think Brady is given a little too much credit for their trip to the Super Bowl this year. Tampa has had a loaded roster for two-to-three seasons now, but they lacked a consistent quarterback. I think any top five-to-seven quarterback could have lead that same team to the Super Bowl this season. That roster was that talented.
Question: Who wins – Kansas City or Tampa Bay, who or what will be the difference and what will be the final score?
Answer: KC wins convincingly. They have too many dynamic play makers on offense and Tampa will turn the ball over in the second half as have to throw the ball more in an effort to play catch up. Tom Brady isn’t the same quarterback when he’s getting touched and harassed in the pocket. He’ll throw up some 50/50 balls to avoid being hit by pass rushers. KC will make timely plays on defense to take advantage of this. The better question is; will Tom Brady show good sportsmanship and shake hands and offer congratulatory remarks if he loses because he’s always been a sore loser.
KC 38-24
(PHOTO: Artis Hicks)
