When he enters Sunday's Super Bowl game as a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, Clearfield High graduate Kevin Dyson will become the 11th Utah prepster to play in the NFL showcase. The former University of Utah star took time from his preparation to answer questions from Deseret News sports writer Amy Donaldson.
Question: Describe how it feels to be playing in the most important game football has to offer.
Answer: It's exciting. I'm going to savor it. You never know if you'll get the opportunity again. There are guys who've been here early and never been back, and there are guys who've played for years and never gotten here.
Question: Some people say you have to look at this game as "just another game" in order to win. Does it feel like just another game?
Answer: Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. When we're on the field practicing it feels like just another football game. When we're doing all this media stuff, it doesn't. Hopefully, I'll get the interviews out of the way today (Wednesday) and then I can concentrate on the game and getting ready.
Question: What kind of interviews have you been asked to do?
Answer: I just went to a media thing this morning and was interviewed by (journalists) from Tokyo and Canada.
Question: Does it make a difference in your preparation that the Titans are underdogs again?
Answer: That doesn't make a difference. It's something we've just grown accustomed to this season. It just makes it that much sweeter (when you win) because everybody doubted you.
Question: Have any of your old teammates or friends from Utah called you about playing this Sunday?
Answer: Fred Graves (receiver coach for the University of Utah), he's about the only one, and Coach (Ron) McBride.
Question: Did playing for the University of Utah adequately prepare you for the demands of the NFL, or do you wish you'd gone to a bigger school?
Answer: It helped me. It's not good for everyone, but it was good for me, and I had the chance to go to bigger schools. God puts you where you are for a reason. You create your own opportunities. It was definitely a good thing for me.
Question: Has anyone offered you advice on dealing with the pressure this kind of game and competition brings?
Answer: No. We (teammates) are all pretty much approaching it the same way. Just go out and play our game.
Question: Did you ever dream of seeing or playing in a Super Bowl when you were a kid?
Answer: No, not really. I always wanted to play in the NBA Finals. I always liked basketball better than football. It's strange to be playing in the equivalent of that game; it would complete it to win.
Question: Are you worried about topping the experiences you've had this year, like playing in the Super Bowl and making the game-winning catch and miracle run during the Buffalo game?
Answer: I'm not worried about it. Those plays come when they come. I definitely feel fortunate -- I wasn't even supposed to be involved in that last one.
Question: Does it make it more special that your brothers, whom you've grown up playing football with, will be in the stands watching you in the Super Bowl?
Answer: It's going to be fun. I always try to put on a show for them. . . . I try not to do (anything wild) when I score, just act like I've been there before. But I don't know, it's the Super Bowl.