My wife’s counsin, Donnie Nickey, is in his fifth season in the NFL

While I’m not a Seahawks season ticket holder, I’ve felt very welcoming of the team and the players in part because my wife has a first cousin named Donnie Nickey who is in his fifth season with the Tennessee Titans. He was an Ohio Buckeye hero before that. He grew up in Columbus in a home on five acres, with a full size football field for a back yard.

Like other NFL players, Donnie gets compensated very well, but he works EXTREMELY hard to stay in shape, and keep his weight exactly on target all year round. He also has a very competitive tryout every year to re qualify for the team, and he risks a career-ending injury every time he steps on the field.

Like nearly all NFL football players, Donnie is really smart and has a solid college education. The college education is something pro-baseball players often do not have because of the way the recruiting systems work. And ladies, he is as charming as he appears, and last I heard I think he is still single.

We are all super proud of him. The only way we could be happier is if he came to play for the Seahawks!

Donnie Nickey making another tackle

Donnie with Titans quarterback Vince Young

Donnie in center, my wife Cathy is on the far right

Donnie and his brother Jonathon

I shot this photo a couple years ago. That handsome, distinguished looking man next to the television is the grandfather that my wife and Donnie have in common…good looks and youthfulness run in my wife’s family. Donnie is also shown, along with his father Don, a man who has given him love, advice, and encouragement throughout his career.

Plain City Ohio (a suburb of Columbus) celebrated “Donnie Nickey Day” after the hometown hero lead the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and a national championship

This is an older picture of my wife Cathy on the left, with her beautiful aunt Cynthia, who would give birth to Donnie a few years later. Cathy’s and Donnie Nickey’s grandmother, and Cathy’s sister Laura are also pictured.