Lockout has Players Working Out Close to Home
This video is no longer available.
With the NFL lockout remaining in place for the second month, a couple of local pros are spending their time at home and getting ready for next season in a local gym. Artis Hicks, a tackle for the Washington Redskins, and 2011 Buffalo Bills draft pick Michael Jasper have been working out at Solus Performance Training in Jackson trying to stay fit so they will be ready for football if and when the lockout ends. “I‘m from Jackson so it‘s mixed emotions,” said Hicks. “I would love to get back to work and start that chemistry with the team and work toward a new season. I‘m trying to make the most of it and train and work hard and get my body in shape so I can go 100 percent.” Jasper said he hopes his work during the lockout can work to his advantage. “It doesn‘t happen every year and it‘s a blessing and a curse. It‘s made me want to get tougher and meaner and stronger and faster compared to others who don‘t take advantage.” Since players aren‘t allowed to have contact with their normal trainers, they came to former NFL player Nick Stamper to get into playing shape. “Here we work a little more speed. There, they don‘t have a lot of time to work speed than they do strength. Here we do individual work,” said Stamper, who is the owner of Solus. And even for a seasoned veteran like Artis Hicks, the workouts are tough. “You can‘t do these in the NFL because once you get there workouts become maintenance and work your motion,” said Hicks. Michael Jasper‘s situation is a little different. After being drafted by the Bills, he has not had any contact with the team. Luckily, Stamper has helped him get in shape and he‘s been able use Hicks as an example of a successful NFL player. “Artis has been in the NFL for 10 years and that‘s a full career,” said Jasper. “I‘m gonna thank God everyday I get closer to that and I want to be like him.” “I‘ve just tried to take him under my wing and give him pointers and advice just like others did for me when I was coming up,” said Hicks.
