Professional sports athletes inspire and influence all of us in some type of way. In the 90s, the majority of kids and teens would say Michael Jordan, who was the face of the NBA at the time, but more importantly, established a fanbase that was always left in awe when he took flight from the hardwood. In the 2000s and the late 2010s, the list consisted of many, with some choosing Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kobe Bryant, or even swimmer icon Michael Phelps.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and numerous professional athletes and influencers are becoming inspirations to the next generation more than ever, thanks to the rise of social media.
Image Credit: Alexander Shatov from Unsplash
For me, that person is Parry Nickerson.
I was fortunate enough to speak with Nickerson on my podcast back in December of 2025. I asked him various questions, starting with winning a Super Bowl ring in his hometown, New Orleans, whether he would like to join the star-studded Baltimore Ravens, the hardest receivers he had to cover, and concluding the show speaking on the significance of having a business while also being in the NFL.
As a kid from the Crescent City myself, conducting this interview was certainly a blessing. Learning the behind-the-scenes of the work that goes into making the NFL, and how important it is to keep your mental health in good condition. The highlights of our conversation are below:
''You grew up in Algiers, Louisiana and played ball at West Jeff. And College Ball at Tulane, what was your mindset going into Super Bowl Sunday?''
''Nickerson — like you said, man.. it was a homecoming.. it felt like a home game, you know. Going back to where it all started and.. y’know, just being a part of the Super Bowl, being a part of a great team with a great staff was a great environment for me. I never would’ve imagined being in the Super Bowl in my hometown, so it was pretty exciting for me.''
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''With Tulane making the 2026 College Football playoffs and losing to Ole Miss in the first round, how was it just being able to witness that?''
''Man, that was exciting. Especially with Tulane being my Alma Mater and me just being a part of the growth of that team over the years, y’know, and for Coach Sumerall to come in there and do what he did after Willie Fritz left, it was eye-opening to see how far the program came along. And me being a big part of that. I wish we had won, but just getting to the College Football Playoffs is hard enough. So, I applaud those guys for even making it that far and being ranked in the top 25.''
''You are one of the fastest players in your NFL Draft class with a 4.32, which is faster than me. We´re in an era now where players like Xavier Worthy are running a 4.22. How have you kept up with your speed?''
''I actually keep up with my speed. As you were saying, being fast is a part of the league now. Everyone is fast! D-Linemen guys like Micah Parsons and… Maxx Crosby, these are some fast guys, so you have to keep up with that. For a guy like me, speed is my advantage, and you have to have your technique in order.''
''Really, that’s what the off-season is for. When players train to get into the NFL, they train to run the fastest, lift the heaviest weights, and they train to reach that max athleticism that they can possibly have for the NFL Combine. When you get in the league, you want to make sure you stay on top of that, but also maintenance on your body, mental, soft tissues, and doing things like yoga/pilates, those things can help maintain and keep your strength in tack.''
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''I’m a Baltimore Ravens fan, and our pass defense is not quite at its ultimate best currently, despite the team having the title of a Super Bowl or Bust every year. If John Harbaugh called you and stated how they need you to be a veteran leader and make plays on third down, what would your message be to Baltimore?''
''I would tell them to send a plane over and book a flight. I would be out there the next day! My work ethic, my knowledge of the game, and I’m that overall teammate most can get along with and could relate to. They’re most definitely getting a seasoned veteran who can help the younger guys and most definitely mentor them.''
''There is a lot of stuff that I wish I had known about when I was younger, getting drafted, so if I can do that, it’s a plus for me. Playing is my main goal, and I felt like I wasn’t able to show my full capabilities despite having all the skill sets.''
''Who are the Top 5 Hardest NFL receivers you’ve faced in your career?''
''I've been around a couple of teams at practice. I guarded Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and DK Metcalf for a stint in Seattle. But yeah, man, for my Top 5 I would say y’know Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, DK because of his speed, Tyreek Hill, Devonta Smith, and A.J. Brown.''
''Last question, what would you recommend to someone who wants to make it to the NFL and build a foundation for their future?''
''Building a foundation takes a cause. What cause do you want to help, whether that’s financial literacy, helping the homeless, or helping those in poverty? It is really about finding your cause and meaning.''
''When it comes to football, keep your body healthy as much as possible, surround yourself with the right people, and don’t keep your main focus on football. There is a time and place for football. I also tell guys that football isn’t going to be here forever, so make sure you establish yourself outside of football for an easier transition.''
Note for the reader: This article and interview wouldn’t have been possible without God and my Dad, who ultimately introduced me to Parry a month prior to the recording of the interview.
