Neal gives nod to rigors of wrestling
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Stephen Neal, the starting right guard for the New England Patriots, said he hopes to return to wrestling after his football days are over, but he’s enjoying the Super Bowl — not a bad place to be for someone who never played college football.
Neal called a sports agent in 2001 and said he wanted to try pro football after earning two NCAA wrestling titles at Cal State Bakersfield. After a workout with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, he was in.
Neal has found football fun but not a great workout.
“I think the physical demands of wrestling are a lot harder, “he said. “But the thing I enjoy is the mental part of football.”
For the record: The Patriots are unbeaten in their last eight postseason games. Even more impressive, the Patriots are 21-1 against teams with records of .500 or better since the start of the 2003 season.
The only loss came Oct. 31 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a loss New England handily avenged two weeks ago.
Back on the field: Today’s game is especially sweet for Rosevelt Colvin, a linebacker who missed last season’s Super Bowl because of a dislocated hip.
“Last year, there were a lot of guys at media day doing interviews when I was back in my room trying to figure out how I could walk again, “said Colvin, a sixth-year player from Purdue.
In a game against Philadelphia last season, Colvin twisted to grab a fumble and felt his hip pop. Months of grueling rehabilitation followed, and Colvin returned this season to play in all 16 games, adding a dose of inspiration to the businesslike Patriots.
“The hard work I had to endure, the ice tubs, the stiffness, not being able to play with my kids for two or three months . . . it shows you what hard work can do, “Colvin said.
Keeping cool: A high temperature of 66 is expected today in Jacksonville. The Patriots might want to bring some ice to the sideline.
New England is 22-2 since 1993 in games played in temperatures of 35 or below. The losses were to the Miami Dolphins at home in 2003 and to the Belichick-led Cleveland Browns in a wild card game Jan. 1, 1995.
Not caught up in the rush: Willie McGinest, who is half a sack from second place on the NFL’s all-time postseason list with 111/2 — Bruce Smith leads with 141/2 — has kept this game in perspective.
“You’ve got to understand the real reason why you’re here is not the Super Bowl, “he said. “It’s for Philadelphia.”
— John Hunt
Wrestling Gear
