NFL Dreams: Boxing +Yoga +Swimming = Football

By Nick Hill/Exclusive to The Call, Du Quoin Evening Call

Friday, January 18, 2008 11:05 PM CST

Hello to everyone in Du Quoin.

Things are going really well here in Cincinnati. I am really enjoying my time here; it is a lot of hard work and very demanding on your body, but in only two weeks of working out, I can already tell it is paying off. The first week I was so sore it was hard to get out of bed in the mornings, but in week two my body has started to adjust and is feeling good.

One of the hardest things here is sticking to your diet, when I first got here we set a goal weight for my pro day at 222-224 lbs, which means I need to gain about 7-8 lbs. Taking into account how much we work-out, this means I need to get close to 5,000 calories a day. That wouldn't be too hard if I could eat fast food or whatever I wanted, but everything I eat has to be healthy so I have to be disciplined in my eating habits.

A few things have been new to me since I have been here. We do yoga two times a week; Wednesdays our workout is done in the pool; Fridays we box. The yoga has really helped with my flexibility and although it is not very fun while you do it, you really feel good when you leave. I also have the ultimate respect for the physical condition boxers are in. We have a boxing instructor come and work us out once or twice a week and it is really tough. I sparred for two minutes, hitting the hand shields with our instructor and I was exhausted. The boxing work-out helps exponentially with your footwork and hand speed. Someone who can do that for twelve, three minute rounds is in great shape.

David Pollack, who played at the University of Georgia and was drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengal's in 2005, trains with us everyday and has become one of my good friends here. After a great rookie season, in the first game of the year, in his second season, he broke his neck. After a year of being in a halo and having surgeries he is back training and working out everyday. It has been great having him here working with us. For one, he has tons of knowledge and information about the NFL and what to expect as one with ambitions to make it to the NFL. As a linebacker, he has taught me a lot about defenses and what they are expecting from the quarterback.

The biggest thing I like about Dave, however, is the person he has proven to be. As an NFL player, he has obviously made some money, and even with all the adversity he has went through with his injury he continues to be just a normal guy and gives all the glory to Jesus. David leads a Bible study with us every Wednesday, along with our trainer, Cliff Marshall. In a time, when it seems like everything revolves around football and making it to the next level, David has been great in keeping us grounded and focused on what really matters in life.

My agent is flying me home this weekend so I can go to our football banquet at SIU. It will be great to see all of my teammates, and even though all of our coaches won't be there, it will be fun to reminisce on the great season we had!

Until next time Du Quoin, take care.

Nick Hill