‘I didn’t calculate the magnitude the Super Bowl had on the world’ — Andscape

PHOENIX — Michael Brockers is one of the longest-tenured defensive linemen in the NFL, a longtime starter for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams who completed his second season with the Detroit Lions in 2022.

Since being drafted 14th overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft out of LSU, Brockers (6-feet-5, 297 pounds) has played 160 regular-season games, accumulating 29 sacks and 52 tackles for loss. He was a veteran leader during the Lions’ resurgence in 2022, starting five games to help Detroit to a 9-8 record, its best finish since 2017. Brockers is also a veteran of Super Bowl LIII, where the Rams lost to the New England Patriots 13-3.

Following in the tradition of Andscape’s NBA diaries from players such as Cade Cunningham, CJ McCollum, Draymond Green, Vince Carter, Trae Young and De’Aaron Fox, Brockers offered his insight during Super Bowl media week and will be a regular contributor.

I did not expect how nerve-wracking being on the other side of interviews would be. Going into this whole media frenzy I thought it was going to be a breeze, but I didn’t calculate the magnitude the Super Bowl had on the world. I had no clue of what the journalists and writers had to go through until now. Being in the NFL, I pride myself on presenting very well in front of the camera and the media, but I felt like a fish out of water being on the other side of things. I know what has to be said from players to get through interviews and it was kinda awkward hearing those same statements I use given to me.

I learned that we all have similar backgrounds even though we come from so many different places. We all have a reason why we play this game, and it’s up to each and every individual on the team to find out what that is. Either it’s playing for present loved ones or the past, we all strive to make those people proud no matter what. We play this game for ourselves but we ultimately play for the ones we love. That seemed to be the common theme amongst both teams: everyone was playing this game and honoring this game for the ones that sacrificed so much for them to be here.

Honestly, not having to play [was the most enjoyable part of Super Bowl week]. I know that’s weird to hear, but the pressure that those players are under that week I wouldn’t wish on any regular person. There’s so much riding on the game, everyone is watching, there can only be one winner and you have to deal with media and making sure you say the right things while also focusing on the most important game of your life. That’s tough. So, I honestly just enjoyed my peace during the whole Super Bowl week.

One of the most eye-opening parts of the week was a discussion at The Shop UNINTERRUPTED Pop-Up. This immersive sports culture experience was highlighted by a panel discussion and I learned a lot. Hearing the stories of their [Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount] different journeys to the NFL but [them] getting to the same place, winning a Super Bowl with New England, further showed me how much they have sacrificed. You would think both of those players were big-name guys all their careers if you didn’t hear their backgrounds. You realize we all sacrificed and have done some amazing things to get to this level.

It [The Shop] puts Black men into a vulnerable light where hopefully Black men all over the world start being real about what’s going on in our community and our lives. Men are prideful in general but I believe that Black men have an astounding sense of pride because of all the things our ancestors had to overcome and thing we are presently still overcoming. If we all open up about how we feel and what ways we plan on changing that narrative, the presumption [about] us will change in the future.

I believe being able to control the narrative is always the most important thing about having a platform. I love the fact that they are shining light on the true Black experience. Many people don’t realize what being Black is until we see the news and media outlets portray us in a way they want. Being able to tell our stories and being vulnerable and real about everyday life situations is a way to set a path for the generations to come. My hope is for the ones that come after us, they will be more emotionally stable and understand their value to the world.

My sons won’t know what a fatherless household is, and so forth. I think showing them what an entrepreneur looks like, building them up to handle themselves with class at all times no matter the situation, respecting our queens and ourselves in a way that no one would ever think to disrespect them is what I plan to show and teach.

I have invested in my own brand and my own podcast in hopes to be able to show my sons and brothers that whatever we put our mind to and we really want, we can achieve if we are willing to put in the work to see it succeed.

Being a Black man with a platform to lead other Black men forward has to be done. So, if that’s me and my podcast (The BrockCast) showing young entrepreneurs building their own brands and making a mark for themselves that you can do it if you put the work in, and that leads other people to do the same, I feel like my purpose is complete.