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Wide receiver Domenik Hixon played role on special teams for Super Bowl-champion Giants
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, Mar 22, 2008
Domenik Hixon still sounds a little in awe of winning the Super Bowl in his first active season in the NFL.
Even after the New York Giants' postgame celebration, the parade and the calls from friends, the former University of Akron receiver eagerly awaits the ultimate prize: the ring.
It's all about the ring.
''I can't wait,'' Hixon said. ''That's one of the last pieces of the puzzle, the ring. Everybody's been asking.''
The Giants have not finalized plans for that ceremony, which they earned after upsetting the previously unbeaten New England Patriots last month. So Hixon's patience will be tested further.
If the path his career has taken is any indication, Hixon should be able to hang on a little longer. He spent his rookie year with the Denver Broncos on injured reserve after hurting his foot training for the draft.
He was released by the Broncos after a September collision during a kick return with Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett that left Everett paralyzed. Hixon realizes how lucky he was that the Giants picked him up Oct. 2 when they were 0-2. He believes their organization provides a less stressful place to work.
Hixon was in town Wednesday for UA's pro day. He was supporting friend Jabari Arthur, the quarterback-turned-receiver who is probably the Zips' best draft prospect this season. Hixon rooted on former teammates, even timing them with his own stopwatch.
As the Giants won 11 consecutive road games in the run to the title, Hixon, a fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft, made a big contribution as a kickoff returner. In the regular season, he averaged 27.6 yards on eight re
turns, including a 74-yard touchdown in the regular-season finale against the Patriots. In the postseason, Hixon averaged 24.2 yards on 12 returns, including a 45-yard field-position changer against the Dallas Cowboys.
Hixon obviously enjoyed the Super Bowl triumph. But beating the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in overtime in the NFC Championship Game was also special, especially because it was the final game for hall of fame-bound Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
''To play against him, a historic quarterback, one of the best ever . . . and to beat him at home, in the elements, everything else was against you, was great, too,'' Hixon said. ''It's almost like a fairy tale. It's something that when I tell my kids and grandkids they may not believe me, but I've got tape to back it up. Or by then they may have something else'' besides tape.
He will long remember the weather conditions in Green Bay, where the wind chill was minus-23 at kickoff.
''You couldn't have water on the sideline; it was frozen,'' he said.
After the season, Hixon spent some time in his native Columbus celebrating with family and friends, including longtime supporters who work with his father in the police department. His favorite moment came at a family get-together that included his eighth-grade football coach.
''He hasn't even been back to Whitehall in six or seven years,'' Hixon said. ''He came back to say hi to me. I really appreciate that.
''Ninth-grade year, my coach didn't have me in the offensive scheme, but he ran the defense. He gave me my first opportunity to play.''
Everywhere Hixon goes he feels the warmth from the Super Bowl triumph, but it hasn't seemed to change him. At pro day he remained down to earth and friendly, introducing himself around UA's Stile Athletics Field House.
In the wake of the Super Bowl, Hixon said he already has been sought for several speaking engagements. That might be only the beginning.
''It has been a great ride, just a great experience,'' he said. ''That's something I've dreamt of as a kid — being at a Super Bowl and winning. To actually have it happen, it has changed my life.''
And what will he do for an encore?
''That's to be announced, I guess,'' Hixon said.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Domenik Hixon still sounds a little in awe of winning the Super Bowl in his first active season in the NFL.
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