Artrell Hawkins’ fledgling sports radio show “2 Deep Zone” received some unexpected attention thanks to Oakland Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour on Tuesday night.
Johnstown’s Hawkins, a Bishop McCort graduate and former nine-season NFL defensive back, interviewed Seymour and asked him about the 2-4 Raiders’ postseason chances after a narrow victory over Philadelphia last weekend.
Seymour boldly predicted the Raiders are headed to the playoffs.
ESPN picked up the the radio highlight, which repeatedly was aired on the network’s SportsCenter, and Seymour’s comments received a mention on the show “Pardon the Interruption.”
“They played the sound bite with me asking Seymour, ‘Yes or no, are the Raiders going to the playoffs?’ ” Hawkins said Thursday.
“You can mark it down,” Seymour told Hawkins. “The Raiders will be in the playoffs in 2009.”
In addition to ESPN, the comments made the rounds at various Internet outlets, including www.profootballtalk.nbcsports.com.
Hawkins and his radio partner Charles Fisher, another former second-round draft pick, also received recognition for their interview with Seattle Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh in which the former Bengal said Cincinnati’s bottom-line offer was very close to the deal he signed in Seattle. Houshmandzadeh said personal feelings interfered with business realities.
“I didn't really step back and separate the two. ... It wasn't a big difference at all, to be honest with you,” Houshmandzadeh said during the “2 Deep Zone” interview.
Radio has been a natural progression for Hawkins, who spent six NFL seasons in Cincinnati, one with Carolina and two with the New England Patriots. His deep voice and knowledge of the game are assets. Initially he started “2 Deep Zone” with his younger brothers, Andrew and Avery. But Andrew Hawkins is playing in the CFL and Avery is at California (Pa.).
The show airs on 1530 Homer AM in Cincinnati, a FOX Radio affiliate.
“This is our fifth show,” said Hawkins, whose initial interview last month also created a stir as NBC’s Rodney Harrison, a former Patriots and Colts defensive back, called the Bengals “a clown show.”
“The first week we had Rodney Harrison come on,” Hawkins said. “The third week we had Marvin Lewis. Last week we had a throwback show. This week we had T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Richard Seymour and got the ESPN coverage all day. (ESPN NFL studio analyst) Herm Edwards talked about it and (ESPN’s) Mike Ditka talked about what Seymour had to say. But the content came from our show, which I think is pretty cool.”
Hawkins believes “2 Deep Zone” can provide him a foundation in the broadcast business.
“It’s been a great transition,” the 32-year-old said. “I’ve figured out that radio is probably the most fun you can have outside of actually playing the game. You can give your opinion. You can do breakdowns.
“It’s your personality and your honesty and connecting with the fans. TV is cool but it’s more technical. With radio, it’s your opinion, your personality, your knowledge.”
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