I Interviewed Three NFL Star Defensive Backs — Here’s What They Told Me

Shoutout to Micah Hyde, Patrick Surtain II, and Justin Reid for allowing me to interview them!

Jul 16, 2025

There’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, a recently retired former Pro Bowl safety, another top safety who can shockingly make 50-yard field goals, and then there’s me — Jack Zucker.

Now, what do I have to do with three of the NFL’s top players? Well, I’m just there asking them questions. Yes, you read that right — I really interviewed some of the NFL’s top players. And today, you’re one of the lucky ones — being able to listen and watch me interview these guys down below!

You see, yesterday I had the great opportunity to attend an incredible conference co-run by a relative of mine, Stephen Rhodes. During my time at the conference, I had a great experience — even meeting six athletes and a very famous rapper (Lecrae).

In the next few videos, I share the three interviews I did with:

Patrick Surtain II (star cornerback for the Denver Broncos)
Micah Hyde (recently retired former Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers safety)
Justin Reid (New Orleans Saints safety)

*Sorry for the blurry videos and background audio…at the bottom of the interviews, I wrote the questions and answers down just in case you are unable to hear.

Justin Reid Interview

You’ve hit field goals and extra points in regular season games… what’s it like to know that you can get an interception one play and, in the same game, just casually knock down a 50-yarder?

Answer (from Justin): “You know what my ultimate goal is right now? I really want to get a pick-6 and then kick the extra point. I want all 7 points. It’s a pick-7, not a pick-6 — a pick-7. I want all 7 points. That’s the top thing you can get.”

Justin, you’re a multiple-time Super Bowl champion. What’s that like, man? A lot of players who make the league don’t ever win a Super Bowl — let alone make a name for themselves as a top player.

Answer (from Justin): “I go to sleep well most nights. It’s a cool feeling. It feels like a strong sense of accomplishment. I feel like credibility — as far as when you start speaking to panels or meet people — you get introduced as a two-time champion, people kinda perk up and listen to you a little bit more. It’s cool.”

What’s your mindset when a quarterback throws your way?

Answer (from Justin): “That we lock them down. He threw it away because we ain’t give ‘em nothing.”

Now with the New Orleans Saints — what are you most excited about? Moving to a new city, playing with a new team, having a new opportunity?

Answer (from Justin): “It’s somewhat a new city; it’s a familiar city [Reid grew up in Baton Rouge, LA]. I’m excited about the situation with Kellen [Kellen Moore] coming in. Coach Staley — Staley was formerly with the Chargers — so his system with Derwin James [LA Chargers safety] and all of the stuff he got to do with Derwin, I’m essentially that guy now. So all of the fun things Derwin got to do, I get to do it now. So I’m going to be excited about that and being able to be a dynamic piece.”

Micah Hyde Interview

Micah, I must ask first — what’s retirement been like for you?

Answer (from Micah): “Retirement’s been amazing. It’s given me time to slow down. My whole life has been ‘go go go go,’ and now I have two beautiful kids (5 and 3), and a beautiful wife, and now I can just travel with them — you know — work on our real estate projects and a non-profit that I do a lot of stuff with. So, you know, life has slowed down. I’m busy — busier than I’ve ever been — but life has slowed down a little bit.”

You were drafted in the 6th round of the 2013 NFL Draft at pick #159. You had to work your way up on the depth chart, eventually becoming a top safety in the league. What was that like?

Answer (from Micah): “It was fun. Since I was little, I was coached — you know — taught by a lot of great men to just be myself and continue to work hard. And so, to me, that’s the way I’ve always been doing — continue to work, continue to work — you know, getting better each and every day. And, you know, one day I look up and I’m one of the best safeties in the league, so it definitely didn’t have no wimp.”

Did you always know you’d be an NFL star in the end?

Answer (from Micah): “I guess I never really thought about that. I think that I always had a dream of playing in the NFL and, you know, doing those types of things. And, you know, to me, it was about getting better once and every day, and I just so happened to be one of the best players. So it’s cool.”

You recently spoke to The Bills Bunker about your favorite play of your career in a Bills uniform — to which you said that you had two favorite plays: #1 being the onside kick return against the Miami Dolphins, and #2 being your interception against the New England Patriots. I’d like to know — which play was your ultimate favorite, or is it seriously tied?

Answer (from Micah): “I think those plays were big moments in the game, so it gave us a bunch of momentum. My favorite play might have been a play a few years before that, where the corner on my team, he got beat on a double-move and the receiver was wide open, and I just saw it from the very beginning — over route one way across the field — and got the interception. There’s a bunch of little plays like that.”

You played with great players during your career: Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams. Who would you say was the best? If you can’t say who’s the best, who was the most fun to play with?

Answer (from Micah): “Oh, you’re gonna put me on the spot. Oh man, you know what, I can’t say who was the best. I was fortunate to play with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, a bunch of Hall of Fame players, and just overall people. But I think that for me — you know, now that I’m retired — it’s really football that’s passed me, and I feel like I’m very fortunate to play with a lot of those guys just for the people that they are. So — great people, great football players, but even better people.”

You had your Celebrity Softball Game back in May, benefitting your Imagine for Youth Foundation. Tell everybody what your foundation helps with:

Answer (from Micah): “It helps with fun — the youth — whether it’s academics or athletics, and even healthcare now. So yeah, we do anything to help the youth…”

Patrick Surtain II Interview

Pat, you’ve won the Defensive Player of the Year award before. In fact, you’re actually the reigning Defensive Player of the Year — not many can say that. Could you talk to me a bit about your emotion when you officially won the award, capping off such a great season by you?

Answer (from Pat): “It was awesome. It was a surreal feeling, winning that award. It was something that I worked for during that whole season, and it’s a testament to — you know — the team’s success as well too. I could say a lot about my individual success, but my team’s success helped me get here. I’m honestly very grateful for that prestigious award (Defensive Player of the Year).”

Alright, for my second question I must ask: Who’s the toughest WR you’ve faced — and why? (Could be college, middle school, high school, or NFL.)

Answer (from Pat): “Ja’Marr Chase. Justin Jefferson. Those dudes.”

Which NFL player — outside of your father [Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback, 3-time All-Pro] — did you grow up watching and admiring the most?

Answer (from Pat): “So, I had the honor and privilege to be around — you know — so many great athletes. Jason Taylor, he was a big influence, Sam Madison, Ty Law — you know — but I was a big Michael Vick fan growing up. I played all of the NFL Street, Maddens. Growing up as a kid, there were some great inspirations in my life.”

You play in a division full of great QBs: Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Geno Smith, and Bo Nix — of course your teammate. But talk to me about what it’s like facing some of the top quarterbacks twice a year, and who’s the best QB out of the three you have to go up against?

Answer (from Pat): “Obviously Mahomes… he’s a generational talent. I don’t like the word ‘generational,’ there’s only a few — but he’s one of those dudes. Justin Herbert, he’s a great talent. I mean, we all got great quarterbacks in our division, so it’s good…”

Closing Line

Huge thanks to the athletes who allowed me to interview them, taking the time out of their day to talk to me. Also, I wanted to thank my family members who invited me to join them at the conference!

This was a day I’ll never forget!