By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Feb. 03 2007
MIAMI — It was 15 minutes before the start of the pregame show, and KTVI's (Ch.
2 ) football analyst was nowhere to be found. Host Martin Kilcoyne was starting
to panic when he finally heard from Ricky Proehl.
"I was probably driving through Lexington (Ky.) when he called me," Proehl
recalled.
Proehl was en route to Indianapolis from his home in Greensboro, N.C., to sign
a contract with the Colts.
This all took place Nov. 26, before the Rams' home game against San Francisco.
Proehl began the 2006 season unofficially retired from the NFL, doing color
work for Rams preseason telecasts. Once the regular season began, he worked the
pregame show and did postgame interviews at home games for KTVI.
Then the Colts called, in need of help for their injury-depleted receiver corps.
Proehl's broadcast career was put on hold.
Now, he's back in the Super Bowl at age 38.
"It's been a great transition," Proehl said. "I would have never in my wildest
dreams imagined that I would be here in Miami."
A third-round draft pick by what was then the Phoenix Cardinals in 1990, Proehl
didn't appear in a single playoff game in his first nine NFL seasons. But
Sunday marks his fourth Super Bowl with three different franchises.
His dramatic 30-yard touchdown reception in the 1999 NFC championship game
against Tampa Bay got Proehl and the Rams into Super Bowl XXXIV. After Proehl
signed with Indy, Colts coach Tony Dungy cracked: "You know you cost me a lot
of money in 1999."
Dungy was then coach of the Buccaneers.
Two years later, Proehl and the Rams were in Super Bowl XXXVI against New
England, with Proehl catching a TD pass. Two more years later, again in a
losing effort, Proehl caught a TD pass for Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Both
of those Super Bowl TDs tied the game late in the fourth quarter. But current
Colts teammate Adam Vinatieri booted game-winning field goals for New England
in the final seconds in both games.
Only a handful of Colts have played in a Super Bowl before — all with other
teams. Dungy tapped into that expertise earlier in the week.
"Tony had myself, Adam Vinatieri, and 'Booger' (Anthony) McFarland address the
team on Monday in Indy," Proehl said. "Just on some of the experiences that
we've had, what to look for, how to treat the trip."
In Indianapolis, Proehl has played in only three games, catching three passes
for 30 yards. He missed the final two games of the regular season, as well as
all three playoff contests, with a hamstring injury. But Proehl is healthy,
practicing and hopeful he will be active for Super Bowl XLI against Chicago.
Win or lose, Proehl insists Sunday will be his final NFL contest.
"This is it," Proehl said. "You can stamp it. I know I've said that before. ...
But this is definitely it, win or lose."
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Feb. 03 2007
MIAMI — It was 15 minutes before the start of the pregame show, and KTVI's (Ch.
2 ) football analyst was nowhere to be found. Host Martin Kilcoyne was starting
to panic when he finally heard from Ricky Proehl.
"I was probably driving through Lexington (Ky.) when he called me," Proehl
recalled.
Proehl was en route to Indianapolis from his home in Greensboro, N.C., to sign
a contract with the Colts.
This all took place Nov. 26, before the Rams' home game against San Francisco.
Proehl began the 2006 season unofficially retired from the NFL, doing color
work for Rams preseason telecasts. Once the regular season began, he worked the
pregame show and did postgame interviews at home games for KTVI.
Then the Colts called, in need of help for their injury-depleted receiver corps.
Proehl's broadcast career was put on hold.
Now, he's back in the Super Bowl at age 38.
"It's been a great transition," Proehl said. "I would have never in my wildest
dreams imagined that I would be here in Miami."
A third-round draft pick by what was then the Phoenix Cardinals in 1990, Proehl
didn't appear in a single playoff game in his first nine NFL seasons. But
Sunday marks his fourth Super Bowl with three different franchises.
His dramatic 30-yard touchdown reception in the 1999 NFC championship game
against Tampa Bay got Proehl and the Rams into Super Bowl XXXIV. After Proehl
signed with Indy, Colts coach Tony Dungy cracked: "You know you cost me a lot
of money in 1999."
Dungy was then coach of the Buccaneers.
Two years later, Proehl and the Rams were in Super Bowl XXXVI against New
England, with Proehl catching a TD pass. Two more years later, again in a
losing effort, Proehl caught a TD pass for Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Both
of those Super Bowl TDs tied the game late in the fourth quarter. But current
Colts teammate Adam Vinatieri booted game-winning field goals for New England
in the final seconds in both games.
Only a handful of Colts have played in a Super Bowl before — all with other
teams. Dungy tapped into that expertise earlier in the week.
"Tony had myself, Adam Vinatieri, and 'Booger' (Anthony) McFarland address the
team on Monday in Indy," Proehl said. "Just on some of the experiences that
we've had, what to look for, how to treat the trip."
In Indianapolis, Proehl has played in only three games, catching three passes
for 30 yards. He missed the final two games of the regular season, as well as
all three playoff contests, with a hamstring injury. But Proehl is healthy,
practicing and hopeful he will be active for Super Bowl XLI against Chicago.
Win or lose, Proehl insists Sunday will be his final NFL contest.
"This is it," Proehl said. "You can stamp it. I know I've said that before. ...
But this is definitely it, win or lose."
