Thursday is my last day with James Ihedigbo before the Super Bowl. In perspective of the biggest moment in his professional life, he tells me about who he is.
He talks about his family.
I'm the youngest of five kids. Crazy bunch but they're fun. Very intelligent people, very inspiring. My family they mean everything.
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SIGN UP HERE My brother Nathaniel, he used to give me tough love growing up. He really never allowed me to show signs of weakness when I played sports, or even in life in general. Even if things weren't going my way, he taught me to always be confident, always show you're confident.
My brother David, he taught me to be kind to people. My brother Emeka taught me how to interact with people. There are so many different dynamics that I get from my family.
My mom has been everything.
She's been my spiritual leader, my backbone, in every situation. There were times in college when I didn't have any money and I'd have to make that call home. She'd take half her paycheck and just give it to me, say, 'Don't worry about it.' She was always giving, no matter what it was. She made sure all the kids were okay before herself.
That may be the true nature of a mother, but it meant so much.
I haven't talked to my mom as much this week because she's so excited it's over the top. I'm like, 'Relax! The game isn't until Sunday.' But I am talking to my brothers. And my sister actually just had a baby boy the other day so we shared that good news.
I play and I do this for them.
I'm not married and I don't have any kids, so whatever my family needs I give to them without question. They are the reason why I play this game and strive to play at a high level. It's for us, for the Ihedigbo last name.
It's one of those things -- keep even keel -- and they all know it. They feel like they're playing the game with me. We just talk about it, talk about different assignments I have, things I have to do on game day, and slowly let it build up to Sunday, to when I have to play for them.
They'll all be here. My sister is, my mom's going to be here, my three brothers and my two best friends.
It's going to be a great experience. We're a really cerebral family. We visualize things, because you visualize it, you believe it's going to happen, and then it happens. And you're not surprised because you knew it was going to happen. I have to keep doing that, especially now. I have to enjoy the moment.
Sunday's going to be a special day.