Brandon Hicks Ready For Jacksonville Homecoming
Friday, October 29, 2010 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The buzz around the office where Queen Hicks works has been palpable this week.
Most of the folks at Point West Clusters, an intermediate care facility in the Florida MENTOR Network that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, know the youngest of Hicks' four kids. When he returns home to Jacksonville, Gators senior linebacker Brandon Hicks often stops by to say hello, sign a few autographs, and most importantly, Hicks takes the time to show an interest in the patients.
“He knows a lot of people here,'' Queen Hicks said Thursday. “Brandon has pretty much maintained his connection to the community.''
Hicks grew up in Jacksonville about 15 minutes from EverBank Field, site of Saturday's annual Florida-Georgia game. He showed signs as a toddler of following in the footsteps of Queen's brother, Ron Foxx, a linebacker who was an All-Pro for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League in the early 1980s.
Once he started attending Jacksonville's Forrest High, Hicks quickly developed into a two-way player, starring at receiver and linebacker. Away from football, Hicks' parents made sure he stayed busy and involved in the community.
He volunteered at Point West Clusters, worked at a local Dairy Queen and Burger King, and was a regular around Providence at West Jacksonville Church, where his father, Timothy Hicks, is senior pastor.
When it was time for college, both Florida and Georgia recruited Hicks. He never considered the Bulldogs an option.
“I just never really wanted to go to Georgia,'' he said.
Hicks didn't grow up a huge fan of the Gators either. In fact, Florida State was the team he followed most closely. Queen was the major influence. She graduated from FSU and was a member of the Marching Chiefs, the school's band.
However, once Hicks developed into a top recruit, Florida coach Urban Meyer won the family over on a recruiting visit. He met with Hicks and his parents, saving his best pitch for Queen.
“The thing that really convinced me about Florida was Coach Meyer, his sincerity, his openness and his honesty,'' she said. “He didn't talk at Brandon, he talked to Brandon. He didn't make any false promises. He was very open and honest. These are the things we have taught Brandon, to be an honest person on and off the field.''
Soon, Queen started wearing orange and blue on Saturdays instead of garnet and gold. She has worked hard over the past four years at converting many of her co-workers and friends from Florida State and Georgia fans into Gator fans.
When the Gators and Bulldogs square off Saturday, many of those same co-workers and friends will be at the game specifically to watch Hicks play for the final time in his hometown.
Queen can't wait to see No. 40 take the field.
“Saturday will be a special time,'' she said. “He's coming back home to play and neighbors, co-workers, family and friends – they are all excited. They know Brandon.''
They hope to see more of Hicks on the field this season. In last year's game, Hicks was injured shortly after entering and missed the rest Florida's 41-17 win over Georgia.
“The second or third play I was out there I pulled my hamstring and I was out for the rest of the game,'' Hicks said. “I'm 100 percent. I'm ready to go out there and play as best I can and as hard as I can. For me personally, [this game means] a lot. That's my hometown and a lot of people will be watching.
“I'm going to finally be out there.''
Hicks has played in all seven games this season, making his first start in Florida's 10-7 loss to Mississippi State. He has 16 tackles and is third on the team with 1.5 sacks.
While Hicks is one of UF's top linebackers, he is also a team leader as one of the most visible Gators, serving as a voice for the media nearly every week. He also shares his experience playing for the Gators with his family. Hicks has regularly invited college friends and teammates home, and he has brought other players to the facility where his mom works to meet the patients.
“I'm a people person, so he gets that from his mom, and he gets his work ethic from his dad,'' Queen said. “Both of us are very focused. We are a goal-oriented kind of family.''
One of the best parts of Saturday's homecoming will come after the game. Hicks has already called his mom and placed an order for a large postgame meal. Queen plans to go shopping Friday and start cooking early Saturday before heading to the game.
What's on the menu?
“All his favorite things,'' Queen said. “He said make it a buffet because some of the guys on the team are coming with him.''
They'll feast on smoked oysters, chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, salad, fruits and a wide array of vegetables. Sounds like a perfect way to end a homecoming.
Well, that plus a win.
“As a senior … you don't want to lose to a rival team,'' Hicks said. “No matter how many games you lose, I do not want to lose to a rival team.''
