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Where There's a WILL
There's a Way
(Up Close with Adam Hayward)
Original Publication Date:
September 2008
PZ: ...realistically?
Adam: Yes. I try and buy all the things I need as far as house, cars, toys, that stuff now, with the money I make, so I don't have to worry about bills whenever I'm done playing football—whenever that is. Maybe I'll go into law enforcement, work a job like everyone else does and not stress about money because I'll know everything is paid off, and I'll have some saved. That's what I want to get out of it. Just to be able to enjoy playing but walk away. I want to wake up in the morning and not need her help to get me down the stairs like some guys now do. I want to be able to play with our children. If that calls for me not playing very, very long, but enough to be financially set for the rest of my life—that's all I need to do.
PZ: A few last things before I go. You began a ritual in your senior year of college where you etch initials on your wrist every time you play. What's that all about?
Adam: Actually it's mom. I just write mom.
PZ: Okay, I know your mom, Pauline Hayward, is your hero. Why do you put mom on your wrist?
Adam: That's one of two rituals I do. The other is before the game, no matter where we are, I go out to the 50 yd. line and just talk to her.
PZ: She had breast cancer and that's why you took the year off in college?
Adam: Yes. The cancer spread to her brain and liver. I took the year off to be with her and take care of family stuff. She's the reason I started playing the game. She loved it and was my biggest fan. So I started doing different rituals and it helped remind me how she was able to battle cancer and fight so long so why can't I go out and do this in her honor.
(Unexpectedly, Adam and I both get teary at this powerful moment.)
PZ: Lastly, I probably won't get far with this one but any prediction on the season? Can the Bucs repeat 2002?
Adam: I don't like to speak too much on the future, but the fans don't have anything to worry about. I don't want to give any W/L predictions simply because of our history. You win one you lose one; but the way it's going now, the dedication to the fact we have work to do to get to the Super Bowl. You saw we can make it to the playoffs, but it's what we do after that. We know what we have to work on to finish the job.
PZ: Any given Sunday—do you ascribe to that philosophy?
Adam: Exactly
PZ: You can take on anybody then—New York, Green Bay—you're confident?
Adam: Exactly, yes. I'm confident and anybody on the team will tell you the exact same thing without putting their foot in their mouth! We had some minor injuries last year and those guys are back, so—it's not rocket science—we have a great team and great coaches. The most exciting thing now is the season is about to start. I have one month to get prepared to be the best I can be going into this season.
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