Helmets Off: Center Isaiah Hickson of the Cumberland Panthers Varsity Team. By: Elizabeth Karchut Isaiah Hickson is best known for his offensive line prowess, having been selected to the National Capital Amateur Football Association all-star team in 2012 and having won the best offensive linesman award three times in a row, but the center for the Cumberland Panthers varsity team has taken to sharing his wisdom with the younger generation. |
Those who cannot do, teach, but there is no denying the fact that Hickson can both do and teach. The center shows no signs of giving up his football career, which has been nine years in the making.
Hickson’s first team was the Canterbury Mustangs (now known as the South Ottawa Mustangs) and in 2012, he played with the Gloucester Raiders until he landed with the Cumberland Panthers Junior Varsity team in 2013/2014.
“I had a cousin who played it (football) and it was recommended. It was something that he suggested I try and I did it at the time and I liked it,” Hickson said of his football debut.
Despite being a well-seasoned veteran of the sport, Hickson’s dedication to football seemed to have developed more when he made the NCAFA all-star team. Hickson said, “I felt really accomplished because it was the first time I really taken football seriously and I honestly felt proud of myself for something I had done in the sport.”
Hickson credits one of his peewee coaches from the Mustangs, Coach Roy Marsaw, as a source of inspiration. He said that, “In all honesty, he would probably be the first coach that I’ve ever had who really inspired me and looked at me as having talent and potential.”
And of course, there is Troy Polamalu, the former safety of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who Hickson admires for his style of play and his aggressiveness on the field.
When he was player, Polamalu was considered to be a leader on the Steelers team, a position Hickson also wishes to embrace in his own Panthers locker room. He also is looking to continue playing and coaching football for as long as possible.
“At the moment, the next level would be university for me,” Hickson said. “So I really hope to make it to the next level and I also really hope I can continue coaching football at any level.”
With Hickson’s impressive list of offensive line achievements, his football students should pay close attention to ever bit of wisdom this all-star has to offer.
Isaiah Hickson is part of the House Edge Sports Network, which is a network that aids in promoting and marketing amateur athletes in North America. Visit them at www.hesn.co
Hickson’s first team was the Canterbury Mustangs (now known as the South Ottawa Mustangs) and in 2012, he played with the Gloucester Raiders until he landed with the Cumberland Panthers Junior Varsity team in 2013/2014.
“I had a cousin who played it (football) and it was recommended. It was something that he suggested I try and I did it at the time and I liked it,” Hickson said of his football debut.
Despite being a well-seasoned veteran of the sport, Hickson’s dedication to football seemed to have developed more when he made the NCAFA all-star team. Hickson said, “I felt really accomplished because it was the first time I really taken football seriously and I honestly felt proud of myself for something I had done in the sport.”
Hickson credits one of his peewee coaches from the Mustangs, Coach Roy Marsaw, as a source of inspiration. He said that, “In all honesty, he would probably be the first coach that I’ve ever had who really inspired me and looked at me as having talent and potential.”
And of course, there is Troy Polamalu, the former safety of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who Hickson admires for his style of play and his aggressiveness on the field.
When he was player, Polamalu was considered to be a leader on the Steelers team, a position Hickson also wishes to embrace in his own Panthers locker room. He also is looking to continue playing and coaching football for as long as possible.
“At the moment, the next level would be university for me,” Hickson said. “So I really hope to make it to the next level and I also really hope I can continue coaching football at any level.”
With Hickson’s impressive list of offensive line achievements, his football students should pay close attention to ever bit of wisdom this all-star has to offer.
Isaiah Hickson is part of the House Edge Sports Network, which is a network that aids in promoting and marketing amateur athletes in North America. Visit them at www.hesn.co