Father and son are heading to the Super Bowl
Adam Ferrise
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports
But he did play basketball and baseball. Hixon started on the varsity teams for both sports. He pitched and played outfield on the baseball team and was an All-Ohio honorable mention as a point guard.
"I knew he was good at football, but I didn't see football coming," Marvin said.
During his junior football season, Hixon wasn't on the recruiting map whatsoever. He split time between the varsity and the junior varsity team.
It didn't deter Hixon.
"He loved the sport and just wanted to play football," Marvin said. "I always told him, whatever you do, whether it's practicing or playing, you play your hardest and practice your best because the only person you cheat is yourself."
Marvin would again have to make a decsion involving the family and again he would do what was best for his son's athletic career.
Between Hixon's junior and senior year, the Army wanted to promote Marvin, but they would have to relocate. Marvin told them he would go anywhere as long as they waited until his son graduated from high school. They said they couldn't wait. Marvin sent in his retirement papers the next day, after 21 years in the Army.
Hixon would finally get his chance during a senior year. In a preseason game that year, Whitehall-Yearling's top kick returner, McHale Holliday, was wrapped up on a kick return and broke his ankle.
Hixon started returning kicks and was successful, but was still unheralded as a potential recruit.
Until Luke Fickell, an assistant at the University of Akron at the time, was watching a tape of one of Whitehall-Yearlings games. Fickell originally was looking at linebacker Anthony Jordan as a potential recruit, but once he saw Hixon in action, he knew had to see him in person.
Marvin said that Fickle, now an assitant defensive coordinator with Ohio State, planned on leaving the game at halftime but didn't because the game was entertaining. Domenik returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Ficklle extended an offer to come visit Akron that night.
"I knew he was good at football, but I didn't see football coming," Marvin said.
During his junior football season, Hixon wasn't on the recruiting map whatsoever. He split time between the varsity and the junior varsity team.
It didn't deter Hixon.
"He loved the sport and just wanted to play football," Marvin said. "I always told him, whatever you do, whether it's practicing or playing, you play your hardest and practice your best because the only person you cheat is yourself."
Marvin would again have to make a decsion involving the family and again he would do what was best for his son's athletic career.
Between Hixon's junior and senior year, the Army wanted to promote Marvin, but they would have to relocate. Marvin told them he would go anywhere as long as they waited until his son graduated from high school. They said they couldn't wait. Marvin sent in his retirement papers the next day, after 21 years in the Army.
Hixon would finally get his chance during a senior year. In a preseason game that year, Whitehall-Yearling's top kick returner, McHale Holliday, was wrapped up on a kick return and broke his ankle.
Hixon started returning kicks and was successful, but was still unheralded as a potential recruit.
Until Luke Fickell, an assistant at the University of Akron at the time, was watching a tape of one of Whitehall-Yearlings games. Fickell originally was looking at linebacker Anthony Jordan as a potential recruit, but once he saw Hixon in action, he knew had to see him in person.
Marvin said that Fickle, now an assitant defensive coordinator with Ohio State, planned on leaving the game at halftime but didn't because the game was entertaining. Domenik returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Ficklle extended an offer to come visit Akron that night.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
tomfeinberg
Admission Essay Writing
posted 4/21/09 @ 6:18 AM EST
"I would still probably be in Germany, but when he was going into the eighth grade I told my wife we had to go back to the states so he can play sports," interesting situation. (Continued…)
Post a Comment