The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Tony Hills: Keeping it in the family
02.08.2008 | Football
Where do things stand for you right now and what do you think your recovery schedule is? Right now, I'm in the upper stage of recovery. I'm going to start jogging a little bit and get into running. I'm working on upper body strength to get ready for the 225, the bench press. I'm working on interviewing skills and different things like that, which will be important heading into the (NFL) combine. I'm just enjoying the whole process.
As far as my schedule, I get up at 7:30, eat breakfast, rehab for about three hours, rest from around 12-2 p.m., then I'm right back at it from 2:30-5 p.m. That's pretty much Monday-Saturday.
In your position, how has your contact been with NFL personnel? My agent handles everything like that, but from what he's told me, a lot of guys are interested in seeing just how fast I'm healing. Will I be able to go out there and do the things that are necessary when the time comes for camps. I've gotten a fairly good amount of people talking to me, but my main focus right now is just to get healthy and post good numbers at the combine and at pro day.
What will you be able to participate in at the combine? I'm pretty much going to limit myself to do the interviews with the teams, the medical portion of it, the weigh-in. Then I'll participate in the 225-bench reps. After that, I'll leave all the other drills for Pro Day here in March. It should be interesting. We always have a lot of scouts and GMs here, so it'll be fun.
Looking back on the season, how did you feel to see your teammates play as well as they did in the Holiday Bowl? I was just jumping up and down inside. I couldn't for real because I was in a cast. But I was really happy to see them go out there, put their minds to something, focus and play as a team. Everything we went through during the season came together during that game. I think they played the most consistently they played all year, and they played as dominantly as they played all year. Just to see the guys go out there and play so determined as a team, I felt it in my heart. It was overwhelming. To tell you the truth, I cried a little. I wanted to play so badly, but to see them go out there and play with the passion that they did, it really touched me. It just goes to show what happens when you put your mind to something. I'm looking forward to watching them next year.
Where did you watch the game? I was with my fiancée, Brittany, and I was at her parents' house and we watched it on TV. We had a big party, so it was really nice.
So you're engaged now? When did that happen? I got engaged on Jan. 3, 2008, and we plan on getting married the first week of March in 2009. So there are a lot of things happening, but I couldn't be happier about it.
Turning to your brother Jeremy -- He's already enrolled and on campus after signing with UT, so how did it feel for you to stand on the stage of the team meeting room as a family member, looking over his shoulder with him wearing a Longhorns jersey? That was great. Just to see how much hard work he's put in from a little kid watching me and growing up, and now he's making a name for himself. For him to go out and get a scholarship at a great school like The University of Texas, first of all, he'll get a great education. Then he'll also be playing at a great school. It'll be fun to see him grow up in this university, because I know what it can do for you. There are an amazing amount of leaders here in the players and the coaches, then you have Mrs. (Jean) Bryant and Mrs. Sally (Brown). I just look forward to seeing him play.
Did you have any flashbacks as you watched him sign? Definitely, it was just four years ago when I was doing that. It's funny to see how everything recycles. But I've lived what he's about to go through, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I couldn't ask for him to be at a better place, and I just can't wait to see him play.
