PHOENIX – From the Senior Bowl to the Super Bowl.
Yes, former University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has made the rounds in the last few weeks, and on Wednesday his feet were on the ground at Super Bowl LVII Radio Row.
"It's my first time at the Super Bowl, and it's a blessing to be here," Hooker said. "It's a blessing to go through this whole process of becoming a pro."
Hooker was a popular guy here on Wednesday, but a lot of the questions haven't even been about football, or his recovery from the torn left ACL he suffered back in November.
"My favorite question has been the LeBron James or Michael Jordan question," Hooker said with a smile. "Being from North Carolina, I am going to pick Mike every time. But I am still a huge LeBron fan and whatever team he is on I am going to be pulling for that team."
Hooker, decked out in blue golf shirt with a Bush's beans logo on it, was wearing a knee brace on his left knee, although it was hidden by his blue jeans.
Hooker said his trip to Mobile, Ala., was a good one, even if he wasn't able to participate. Hooker is still rehabbing, counting the days until he can do more.
"It went really well," he said. "I had a blast making connections, and being amongst my peers and talking to them about games we played against each other, and asking them questions about different guys I know on their team. It was fun, talking ball at a high level."
Hooker also met with a bunch of teams at the Senior Bowl, including the Titans.
Coach Mike Vrabel and General Manager Ran Carthon were both in that meeting.
"That was a cool deal as well, to sit down with Coach Vrabel and be able to talk ball," Hooker said. "He kind of gave me that side-eye look, kind of gave me that study. It was cool to chat with him and (Ran).
"They were kind of a bad cop/bad cop type of deal," Hooker continued with a smile. "In this league, you have to make sure everybody is doing their job and they did a great job of it. I had fun telling my story to them as well."
Hooker said he enjoyed finishing his college career in Tennessee.
The thought of playing his NFL career in the same state would be great, Hooker said.
"That would be cool," Hooker said. "I wouldn't have to move my clothes too far. But really, it's just a blessing to me considered at the pro level."
