Coleman Isn’t Interested In SB Viewing
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Don’t expect Keon Coleman to be one of the millions who watch the Super Bowl this Sunday.
Coleman says the annual game that determines the National Football League championship would be relevant to him only if Coleman and his Buffalo Bills teammates were one of the participating teams.
“I’m not playing, so the TV ain’t getting turned on,” Coleman said on Tuesday night following his dual Opelousas Catholic basketball and football jersey retirements presentation ceremony during halftime of the Vikings’ district basketball game against J. S. Clark Leadership Academy.
Coleman, who completed his first NFL football season with 29 receptions and 566 yards as a Bills’ receiver, had an excellent chance at participating in Super Bowl LIX just 120 miles from his hometown, but Buffalo lost to the Kansas Chiefs in the AFC championship contest.
During the post-ceremony interview inside a weight room inside the OCS gymnasium, Coleman told the television and print media that one of his NFL goals is to eventually play in a Super Bowl.
“I would also like to be named First Team-All-Pro,” Coleman said.
Coleman, who had four touchdown receptions for Buffalo this year, added that he saw nothing but “positives” as he considered what occurred during his first-year as a professional football player.
One of his initial season learning curves, Coleman said, was learning to pay more attention to the details that are inherent in becoming a professional athlete.
Coleman said he was also grateful to OCS administrators and coaches for retiring his No. 3 jerseys.
During his OCS football career, Coleman was a two-year all-state selection in addition to 2,567 receiving yards. In basketball Coleman averaged 26 points a game.
Coleman delivered a thankful message to OCS for hosting the jersey retirement event.
The home and visitor areas of the stands were nearly full on both sides of the gymnasium, while many of the young kids attending the event were wearing “black Keon” t-shirts that were outlined in white, blue and red Buffalo team colors.
“I was really feeling the electricity and I was somewhat surprised. This really means a lot to me. Playing (at OCS) was really a blessing,” Coleman said.
Before he left the gym, there was one remaining theatrical performance that Coleman needed to perform.
Coleman generated some crowd hysterics just before going to the interview room as he took a halftime warmup basketball, dribbled it once and then slammed home one of his iconic OCS basketball dunks, even though he was wearing a jacket and street clothes.
