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The Associated Press
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The Associated PressWHO: Patriots vs. New York Giants
WHEN: 6:17 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Glendale, Ariz.
TV: FOX
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Quick geography lesson here:
If you know where Coosa County, Ala., is, raise your hand.
No one? Thought so.
Coosa County, tucked into central Alabama, population around 11,000, is almost Super Bowl Central these days.
You see, Coosa County natives Adalius Thomas, the linebacker for the New England Patriots, and Justin Tuck, defensive end for the New York Giants, are cousins. They both attended Central High of Coosa County, where they played football and basketball.
And now they'll be on opposite sides of the biggest football game of the year.
"They're calling it the Coosa County Bowl instead of the Super Bowl where we're from," said Thomas, who signed with New England as a free agent last summer.
And why not? It is a big deal there.
"Absolutely," said Tuck, in his third year out of Notre Dame. "It's a family affair now."
Thomas, 30, grew up in Nixburg. Tuck, 24, grew up in Kellyton.
Their families make up much of the population of their towns. Just check the phonebook.
"Most of the neighbors are either your aunt or your uncle or your grandparents," said Thomas. "His sister is in the (same) class as my sister ... (Tuck) went to the church down the street from where I went to school.
"It's so funny. Two guys from the same area, which is a very rural part of Alabama to play in the Super Bowl. So one family will be happy and one family will be kind of sad."
Actually, said Tuck, both families will be proud.
"You just hope for a great game and that we both stay healthy," he said.
Both said on Tuesday at Media Day that growing up in such small towns helped them become who they are today. Sports was a way out, said Thomas. And playing sports helped you learn how to communicate with others.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Thomas went through first, and Tuck always looked up to him.
"I was always in the mode of trying to do the things that he's done," said Tuck. "He's had a great career so far, gone to a couple of Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl (with Baltimore in 2000).
"So again, I'm in the mode to do the things he's done."
Thomas excelled in football and basketball, which was the high school's big sport.
He led the team to the Class 4A state championship as a senior. In football, Thomas actually played some tailback for the team.
"The tailbacks got hurt, everyone got hurt," he said. "I was 220 pounds back then. I could always run with the ball like that but I never had a desire to be just a running back. I played both ways. I just liked to play football."
He went to Southern Mississippi as a tight end, but eventually switched to linebacker.
The 6-5, 274-pound Tuck followed Thomas' career closely, but almost never got a chance. He received a scholarship to Notre Dame by accident. According to legend, a scout was looking for Tuscaloosa, got lost and asked for directions.
"The were looking for another linebacker in my neck of the woods and they happened to stop," said Tuck, who led his high school team to two basketball state championships. "The folks said he must be talking about Justin and sent him my way. Long story short: I ended up at Notre Dame."
Thomas' one regret is the two never got a chance to play together.
"That would have been something to see, both of us on the same team," he said.
Still, it's pretty special that both have ended up where they are today.
"It is special because being that you're from a rural part and people are like, 'Where is Coosa County? Where is Nixburg? Where is Kellyton? Where is this small place that nobody ever heard of?' " said Thomas. "Now you get to this stage and it just shows (that) all the kids there are encouraged to work hard and do the things they need to do whether it's on the field or off the field.
"I just think it says a lot about that...
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