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Wide Right: Hovan reflects on throwbacks

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By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2009

TAMPA - This weekend is one of throwbacks for the Bucs.

The Bucs are wearing their 1976 throwback jerseys against Green Bay, celebrating the 1979 team and inducting former standout Lee Roy Selmon in Tampa Bay's inaugural Ring of Honor. To those under 30, Selmon is more famous for having great ribs and an expensive toll road than being a Hall of Fame player.

In honor of Tampa Bay's throwback weekend, I spoke with Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan about everything old school related for this week's Wide Right column.

Anwar: Who is your favorite throwback WWF wrestler?

Chris: You got to go with Stone Cold (Steve Austin) a little bit. I guess he's a throwback since he's in the hall of fame now. Three guys made the business what it is, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Steve Austin. Now that I think about it, I got to go with Ric Flair. I love you Steve, but there is something about Ric. He set the tone.

Anwar: Are you going throwback-Hovan and wearing the face paint on Sunday?

Chris: Yeah, we'll see. Hopefully they don't fine me. I'll probably have to donate my charity money to the United Way. I've already explained it to my wife and she said, "Do you know how much money I could use for babysitting?" I guess that is going to be my Christmas gift. I'm not getting anything for Christmas this year.

Anwar: Why is that?

Chris: Because it's going to be a $5,000 fine. That's my Christmas present.

Anwar: Who is the better throwback band - Metallica or Guns N' Roses?

Chris: I got to go with Metallica. G-N-R was good, but they faded out really quickly. Metallica started a revolution and they've been strong. People said they sold out when they cut their hair, and people questioned their music, but a true artist is one who can adapt to the times. I think Metallica is one of those artists who adapted and is still strong.

Anwar: What's your favorite throwback cartoon?

Chris: Something about He-Man. A lot of guys say Transformers, He-Man or Voltron. There was something about He-Man that you wanted to have that shield and sword.

Anwar: What's one throwback activity you did as a kid you'd love to share with your children?

Chris: I have a boy and two girls, and I came from a family with three boys, and it was always fun back in Ohio to play me versus my brother. One of my brothers would be the all-the-time quarterback. We start playing and it would be 4 p.m. and the next thing you know it's 9. One of my girls is going to be a tomboy, and the other is going to be real feminine, and hopefully we can do something to assimilate that situation. Looking back, that is when I really started my passion for football, and if I can generate a passion in their life, it would be worth it.

Anwar: What's your favorite throwback car?

Chris: It was the one my dad sold me for $1,000, which was a 1978 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight. It was so out of date and long as a boat, but they don't make engines like that. I was so proud because $1,000 was a whole year of me throwing papers and moving furniture, and to finally have my own car and to know that I paid for it, it was extra special.

Anwar: You used to deliver newspapers?

Chris: Yep. People always ask me why do you get up at 4 a.m. every morning, but it started when I was in third grade. I delivered papers all the way through grade school and high school.

Anwar: You did this on a bike?

Chris: No. I walked and put it on people's doors because that way you get more tips at Christmas. If you leave in the driveway, people don't want to walk out and get their paper. It's the customer service, so by the time you come around for the tip, you would do well. You got to get up so early to get the papers, put the papers together, put them in the plastic and then come home and deliver them. I did that for so long and made pretty good money. I got myself in a routine where I just developed that internal alarm clock.

Anwar: What's your favorite throwback movie?

Chris: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." I remember watching that with my old man one time and I said, "This movie sucks." I was young and when I finally watched it, it was my favorite movie.

Anwar: What would it be like to get a win in those throwback uniforms?

Chris: It would be great. A lot of people are saying a lot of things about this team. When you don't win games, it's justifiably so, but it's not the personality of this team. We're really not an 0-7 team. Yeah, schedule-wise we are, but I think it's time for us to get that victory for Coach (Raheem) Morris, the Glazers, Mr. (Mark) Dominik, and most importantly, the fans of Tampa Bay.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425.

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