The Player’s Circle: NY Giants “Hakeem Nicks” & Denver Broncos “Richard Quinn”

What would Thanksgiving be without Turkey and NFL football?  Though I will be watching all of the games, the Denver Broncos and NY Giants match up excites me most. Yes I am a New Yorker, however I am also a Denver Broncos fan. Always trying to keep my Get ‘Em Girls well rounded about sports, I decided to profile  Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants and Richard Quinn of the Denver Broncos about their transition into Pro-football, future goals and favorite foods. Both Nicks and Quinn are rookies, former UNC football teammates and best friends.

Get ‘Em Girls: This being your rookie year, how has the transition from college to NFL been?
Hakeem Nicks: I feel like it has been easy. Going into training camp, I was held back by a hamstring injury, but I was able to bounce back.

GEG: Did playing at UNC prepare you for this transition?
Hakeem: Most definitely, my coaches at Carolina helped to prepare me using their background experience they received while in the NFL.

GEG: What do you miss most about UNC?
Hakeem: I miss being around my teammates and the UNC coaching staff the most.

GEG: Many times women are unfamiliar with football stats, can you break down your accomplishments in a way a woman who doesn’t know much about football can understand?
Hakeem: This could take some time, so I am going to try and keep it brief (laugh). I never lost a game of football in high school. I came into UNC as a True Freshman and was a 3 year starter, left UNC early and was drafted in the first round by the NY Giants and just recently I was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.
*True Freshman is a freshman who play his first year instead of “Red Shirting.”  “Red Shirting” allows a player an extra year of football eligibility.

GEG: You say you never lost a game in high school, how did you handle losing a game once you arrived to college?
Hakeem: I had a completely different mindset. I knew the competition level would be different, so I had already mentally prepared myself.

GEG: Butch Davis compared you to Michael Irvin. How does that make you feel? Do you feel any pressure from the comparison?
Hakeem: Michael Irvin is a great person to be compared to. I didn’t feel any pressure, I was more like honored when Coach Davis made the comparison. I look forward to meeting him one day.

GEG: Have any of the veteran players took you under their wings and mentored you?
Hakeem: All of the NY Giants Wide Receivers mentored me, especially during training camp. When I attended Carolina,  Jesse Holley, a Senior Wide Receiver, gave me a lot of great advice.

GEG: Have you returned the favor and became a mentor to someone?
Hakeem: I mentor a lot of the younger receivers at Carolina when I go back to visit.

GEG: Playing football in New York, there can be a lot of glitz and glamour, flashing lights, and red carpet events going on, how do you not get caught up in your own hype/limelight?
Hakeem: I stay humble. I’m a humble person, I pretty much keep to myself.

GEG:  Do your family members and friends help you to remain humble?
Hakeem: No, that’s just my character, if you’ve ever met me you could tell.

GEG: New Yorker’s can be very fickle when it comes to our athletes, one day we love you the next day we hate you. Does that ever get to you?
Hakeem: No, you can’t let stuff like that get to you. You just have to stay focused. Go out there every week and just keep playing, giving 100%.

GEG: What artist are you listening to when you are trying to get hype and give that 100% game day performance?
Hakeem: Webbie, Boosie, Wayne, Jeezey and Drake.

GEG: …And if you were slowing it down for someone special?
Hakeem: Maybe Usher or R. Kelly

GEG: What are your career goals after football?
Hakeem: I haven’t pinpointed exactly what I want to do, however I am passionate about football so I know it will be something football related.

GEG: What are your favorite foods to eat?
Hakeem: Fried Chicken, Macaroni & Cheese and Collard Greens are some of my favorites.

GEG: Is your mother preparing a big Thanksgiving dinner?
Hakeem: There will definitely be some food waiting for me when I get home.

GEG: Did your mother pass on any culinary skills to you?
Hakeem: Yes, my Fried Chicken is very impressive.

GEG: What motivates you?
Hakeem: The game of football motivates me, I love to play.

RICHARD QUINN

Get ‘Em Girls: This being your rookie year, how has the transition from college to NFL been?
Richard Quinn: Pretty good, the speed of the game is a lot faster. Carolina had a great program that has prepared me for this transition.

GEG: Why did you choose UNC?
Richard: I chose UNC because they were looking to rebuild their program and I also valued my education as well as my athletics.

GEG: What do you miss most about UNC?
Richard: Good people, campus life was off the chain.

GEG: Your position has changed since entering the NFL. How did you transition from Wide Receiver to Tight End?
Richard: I picked up about 40 lbs to be able to block the bigger guys. I came in at 215lbs. and I now weigh about 255lbs.

GEG: For the Get ‘Em Girl readers who are unfamiliar with football positions, can you break down both positions in a way a woman who doesn’t know much about football can understand?
Richard: A Wide Receiver plays on offense and runs routes to catch the ball from the Quarterback . A Tight End also plays offense and handles the ball, however they have to be versatile and play a little blocking defense too.

GEG: How do you prepare before a game?
Richard: I watch film, look over my notes and get my iPod playlist together.

GEG: Give me some of the artist I would hear on your gameday playlist?
Richard: Drake, Wayne, Gucci Mane, Jay Z & Young Jeezy

GEG: Have any of the veteran players took you under their wing and mentored you?
Richard: Former Tarheels & veteran football players Vonnie Holliday (Broncos) and Alge Crumpler (Tennessee) have both mentored me. Alge mentored me about the draft process and gave me a heads up on what to expect entering the NFL.

GEG: Any thoughts on career goals after the NFL?
Richard: Right now I would be interested in a position at a University as an Athletic Director or coaching football, but we will see as the years go by.

GEG: You know over here at Getemgirls.com we are passionate about food, can you cook?
Richard: Yes, I can cook a little bit of everything. I really don’t have a specialty.

GEG: If you were cooking your mother a special dinner what would it consist of?
Richard: Mashed Potatoes, Baked or Fried Chicken with a vegetable.

GEG: What’s your favorite food?
Richard: Fried Chicken

GEG: Will your family be coming to Denver for the holidays?
Richard: Yes, my mother, brother and friend Bryon. Bryon is our old teammate and best friend from Carolina.

GEG: Who is Bryon routing for on Thursday?
Richard: He’s neutral, but he’ll be sitting on Denver’s side with my family.

GEG:  Have Hakeem and you placed any friendly wagers on tomorrow’s game?
Richard: No, but that sounds like a great idea.

GEG: Is your mother preparing a big Thanksgiving dinner?
Richard: No, actually we are all going to my agents house for a big dinner, but she is preparing a surprise dish.

GEG: What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish your mother prepares for you?
Richard: Turkey & Stuffing

GEG: Name one female in your life you would classify as a Get ‘Em Girl and why?
Richard: My mother, she works hard everyday. She’s a Get ‘Em Woman (laughs).

GEG: Are you involved in any philanthropic endeavors?
Richard: I have participated in a blood drive charity event with the Broncos thus far and I look forward to starting my own charity in the near future.

GEG: What motivates you?
Richard: Being the best, I strive to be the best. I now have a 16 month year old girl and she also motivates me. I want to make sure she is provided for. Once you have a child you become second and your child becomes first. She gave me a whole new perspective on life. I have to be the best for her.

I wish these two men success in all of their endeavors.  I look forward to seeing them follow in the footsteps of some of my UNC classmates and friends such as Vonnie Holliday, Algee Crumpler, Dre Bly, Ebenezer Ekuban,  and Greg Ellis.  On the field and off the field UNC Chapel Hill has produced some of the best leaders I know and I am so honored to be a part of the tradition!

** …and ladies I know you were expecting us to ask some juicy questions about women, but I purposely decided to give Hakeem and Richard a pass since they are both rookies and should be focused only on their “field game” lol.