SAN JOSE | The traditional media evening that kicks off Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco always provides the opportunity to discover certain players who break the mold. Patriots receiver Mack Hollins clearly stole the show in the carnival atmosphere typical of the event.
Of course, during the Patriots’ hour-long session in San Jose, in front of a packed audience of thousands of reporters, quarterback Drake Maye was the center of the universe.
However, you just had to move around the floor a little to see how fascinating Hollins’ presence is.
Over time, this eccentric receiver has wandered from left to right, with the Patriots being his sixth team in his nine-year career and his fifth in the last five years.
Without blowing up the league, he’s hanging in there and he’s coming off one of his most productive seasons with 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns. Well beyond his statistics, however, it is his little rare bird side that stands out. With him, the famous cassette is relegated to the abyss of oblivion, far from any filter behind which the athletes of our time take refuge.
Bare feet everywhere
Noticing that Mack Hollins was causing quite a stir because he was walking around barefoot, a journalist went to meet him and told him that he was not wearing shoes either, since he was deprived of his legs. – PHOTO PROVIDED BY WILLIAM BOIVIN / PODCAST PREMIER AND THE GOALS
In recent years, even in the cold of Buffalo or Foxborough, he has stood out because he shows up to games barefoot. He also makes it a duty in everyday life, a question of “better connecting with the earth and getting closer to the initial movement of humans”.
He actually presented himself like this at the media evening, having no fear that a Captain Haddock in the room would call him a barefoot.
Among his other little idiosyncrasies, Hollins discussed the fact that he feeds exclusively with his hands, without utensils, to promote his digestion.
An insightful reporter immediately asked him how he ate his soup.
“Soup? I never eat soup! Have you ever seen a lion eat soup? No wild animal is designed to eat soup,” said the succulent character without flinching.
Hollins assures that he does not consume water which he considers “a government scam”. He tends to indulge in melon juice or raw milk.
Eternally curious, he enjoys tackling projects as diverse as dismantling and reassembling his dishwasher, obtaining an aviator’s license and studying the world of real estate. He recently purchased land in Georgia to set up a regenerative farm.
“The older I get, the more I realize that you don’t have to be someone you’re not. You can be you and that’s perfectly okay. “I don’t mind being the one that everyone thinks is weird anymore,” Hollins said.
No football
Mack Hollins made one of the few big offensive plays for the Patriots in the Conference USA Finals victory over the Denver Broncos. – Getty Images via AFP
You’re probably wondering why we’re not talking about Hollins’ role in the game plan against the Seahawks on Sunday. Please note that the receiver took care to warn the journalists on several occasions.
“No football questions until Wednesday. What interesting questions!” he decided.
Don’t think he’s shying away from his sport. Don’t imagine that his teammates consider him an undesirable oddball either.
“He’s the glue in this locker room,” summed up Drake Maye.
“Every team needs its Mack Hollins,” added special teams ace Brandon Schooler.
It’s known that in the NFL, receivers sometimes exhibit behavior that is disturbing. Some show a diva attitude. In Hollins’ case, it’s quite the opposite.
“There’s a difference between what Mack is, or be out of control and disrespectful. Mac is quite a team player. No one in this locker room would do as much as him with so little credit. He is incredible with our kids and he leaves no stone unturned in his preparation to be the best professional athlete possible,” praised offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Whether his unusual personality is disturbing or not, one thing is certain: the often sanitized world of professional sport where everyone’s image is overprotected would benefit from having more Mack Hollins.
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