Golden Media Group visited Jackson’s Artis Hicks for a question & answer session to discuss all things Super Bowl – including the time he played in THE GAME and a prediction on Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Artis, a 1997 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.
Hicks, who trains at Atlas Fitness Jackson – 3023 U.S. Highway 45 Bypass Suite 109 – is a member of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame – 2014 – and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame – 2022.
Question: Can you describe the feeling when the Eagles won the National Football Conference title and advanced to the Super Bowl?
Answer: It was a feeling of disbelief because I didn’t win a state championship in high school nor go to a Bowl game college. However, I was on the verge of possibly winning a Super Bowl championship.
Question: What is the week like leading up to the Super Bowl?
Answer: There is a two-week period after the Conference Championship games before the Super Bowl is played. The first week is a normal week of preparation and routine practices as the game seems so far away and we all have the mindset of day; one week at a time.
Teams typically fly to the Super Bowl site six- or seven days prior to the game. After you check into the hotel is when things become real. The environment becomes unfamiliar.
You don’t go home at the end of each work day. You don’t drive to work. You don’t practice or workout at your usual team facilities. You’re bused around as a team with military level security escorts to all practices and events. Then there are the mandatory media days where you’re obligated to talk to reporters and journalist from around the world regarding the game.
Missing these media events are fineable offenses by the NFL – so you have to do it. I remember Marshawn Lynch who played for Seattle in the Super Bowl (XLIX) said, “I’m here just so I don’t get fined.”
With the exception of maybe one- or two guys this whole experience is unfamiliar so everyone is adjusting on the fly including coaches. There are only a select few who’ve had the privilege of multiple Super Bowl appearances although we see teams like New England and Kansas City who’ve made multiple appearances in recent years.
Fans don’t realize just how many players and coaches exit and come in after each season so only the core of those dynasties get to experience multiple Super Bowls.
Question: Can you tell us about the distractions a player faces before the game?
Answer: The energy shifts as you approach the week of the Super Bowl. The days speed up and the anxiety starts to creep in. You’re battling to keep the external distractions at a minimal while also trying to make time for family who comes to experience the week and game. There’s anxiety that comes with being locked in all while still enjoying the moment with family because you never know if you’ll have the luxury again of playing in another Super Bowl for the remainder of your career.
Question: What are Seattle’s strengths, and what do the Seahawks have to do to win.
Answer: Both teams have top five offenses and top eight defenses as you’d expect to make it to the Super Bowl in today’s NFL.
Seahawks
- better pass protection
- rarely turns the ball over
- leader in scoring defense
- deep ball completions
- pressure the passer with only their front four
- run stop without eight in the box
- QB (Sam Darnold) has a big chip on his shoulder
- grind games out in the 4th quarter with two physical running backs
- great getting to the red zone
Question: What are New England’s strengths?
- athletic quarterback (Drake Maye) who can pick up yardage with his running ability
- leader red zone defense
- leader in post season sacks
- lockdown secondary
- jumbo formations (6 offensive linemen) on tough short yardage and goal line plays
- experienced head coach (multiple Super Bowls as a player)
- haven’t played from behind at halftime since week three
- deep receiving core
- leader in red zone defense
Question: Who wins – Seattle or New England, who or what will be the difference and what will be the final score?
Answer: This game will come down to turnovers. The team that can create one- or two additional possessions wins Super Bowl LX. New England has already turned the ball over five times this postseason vs. Seattle’s zero.
Seattle wins 20-17 after a hard-fought game that’s played pretty clean in regards to penalties as both are well-coached teams.
