When one thinks about Kentucky football’s historic turnaround, they think of players like Andre Woodson, Keenan Burton and Wesley Woodyard. They also almost certainly think of tight end Jacob Tamme.
Without Tamme, UK’s four straight bowl appearances probably doesn’t happen. Arguably the program’s greatest tight end, Tamme was one of the cornerstones of a legendary football class that transformed an annual Southeastern Conference bottom feeder into a perennial contender.
Tamme played for UK from 2004-07, finishing his career sixth on the school’s career receiving list. He totaled 133 catches for 1,417 yards and 11 touchdowns during his four-year career in Lexington.
Next Sunday, though, Tamme will have the opportunity to do something that millions dream of but only few have the opportunity to do: play in a Super Bowl. In his second season in the NFL, Tamme and the Indianapolis Colts will take on the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.
Although Tamme is still fighting for time as a tight end – he’s caught three balls for 35 yards this season – he’s become a special-teams stalwart for the AFC champions.
Cat Scratches had the opportunity to catch up with the UK legend before he left for Miami for a two-part interview. Part two will be posted later on Sunday afternoon. Without further ado, here’s part one:
Cat Scratches: Jacob, you’ll be playing in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday vs. the New Orleans Saints in just your second season in the NFL. Talk about the opportunity to play in the world’s biggest game. Jacob Tamme: It’s definitely an amazing opportunity. Most guys play a long career and don’t get a chance to play in the Super Bowl. I’m going to try to make the best of it and try to come out with that win. What a blessing to have this opportunity.
CS: You’re just three years removed from playing in the Music City Bowl with Kentucky. Did you imagine something like this would happen so fast for you?JT: From growing up and even through my time at Kentucky, I have always tried to take matters one thing at a time. As a kid you obviously dream of moments like this but I never dreamt that I would actually get to play in the Super Bowl. I dreamed of really playing college football. You play in the backyard and you dream of playing in the Super Bowl but you never really expect it to come true. Lo and behold I’m part of a great team here. It’s been an amazing season.
CS: You talked about growing up and dreaming of playing in the Super Bowl, but did you have visions of catching the game-winning pass?JT: From going out in the backyard and reenacting those moments and throwing the ball around and pretending that you’re catching a touchdown in the corner of the end zone, it’s fun to know that I’ve been there before already as a kid. I’m sure that in reality it will be all the more exciting and a great feeling, but at the same time you have to temper some of that and realize that you have to prepare for the game and prepare to win. In a lot of ways we’re approaching it as we would any other game while knowing that it’s obviously a really big one.
CS: You’re in your second year with the Colts so I know you’re still trying to fight for time at the tight end position, but talk about your role on special teams this year and what you hope to contribute in Sunday’s big game.JT: My special team’s role this year has been big. It’s been great for me. I play on every special team except for field goal blocks, so I’m out there a lot. I’m basically going in and out of the game every few minutes. Getting that spot on all those teams is an honor. Going down there with a chance of making a big play, whether it’s getting a block on a kickoff return or making a hit on a kickoff or making a play on both of the punt return teams, there’s always a big play to be made on special teams. Being a guy that has a chance to do it in the Super Bowl, what a spot to do it to try to help my team win. Offensively, I wish I was playing more but I’m part of a great offense. My role is limited and sometimes it’s more, but you’ve just got to prepare to do your job and be ready to do what is asked of you.
CS: How big of an adjustment has that been for you going from a prolific tight end on the college level to a special teams stalwart?JT: It’s definitely different than anything I did at Kentucky. I played on a few special teams plays here and there, especially early in my career, but I’m playing on some teams now that I’ve never played on before in my entire life. I probably didn’t make a tackle since high school and now I have a lot more tackles than catches, but it’s been really fun. Football is such a great game. There are so many different parts of it and to be able to do it at this level has given me a lot of confidence in my ability as a football player overall.
CS: What’s the past week been like in Indianapolis with all the national attention focused on your team?JT: It’s been pretty crazy. We have a pretty full locker room. They have a set time when the media can come into the locker room. It’s hard to walk around in there. It’s been a crazy week. It’s been a really blessed season. We’ve put in a lot of hard work. We prepare and work really hard but we’re definitely blessed to be where we are. We’ve got some great leadership on this team. All that stuff is great and it’s nice, but I think everybody is doing a good job keeping the focus on the Saints still having fun with it what I’m sure should be a very fun week next week.
