Ahead of being inducted into the ANF Wall of Honor at Iowa football’s (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) Saturday clash against Penn State (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), former Hawkeye cornerback Micah Hyde reflected upon his collegiate tenure.
Hyde, who retired from his 11-year NFL career this past February, spoke with the Des Moines Register’s Tyler Tachman on Oct. 17 about what his journey at Iowa meant to him and how he used the lessons instilled by head coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Phil Parker both on and off the field.
“I think listening to coach Ferentz every single day in a team meeting and having coach Parker in the meetings and stuff like that, not knowing back then, when I was 18 to 22 years old, that they’re developing you as men,” Hyde said.
“It’s way past football. Like take the cleats off, take the helmet off, take the pads off, they’re trying to make you become a better man. And I think that when you run a program that way, you’re always going to be successful…”
Hyde continued by stating he is grateful to have played under the leadership of Ferentz’s staff, as he not only learned how to be a better football player, but also as a man in society beyond the gridiron.
“I feel like I would rather be a part of that program than any other program in the nation, being run by coach Ferentz. Just the knowledge that he speaks every single day, the discipline, the way he approaches each and every game, each and every situation. He’ll teach you the X’s and O’s of football, for sure, but it’s in a way that is going to make you understand life post-football.”
The ANF Wall of Honor salutes past University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character of the Iowa farmer, and former Hawkeye standout and NFL star, Micah Hyde, becomes the 13th member of the prestigious group.
Previous ANF Wall of Honor recipients include Casey Wiegmann (2012), Jared DeVries (2013), Bruce Nelson (2014), Robert Gallery (2015), Dallas Clark (2016), Chad Greenway (2017), Aaron Kampman (2018), Matt Kroul (2019), Marshal Yanda (2021), Tony Moeaki (2022), Bryan Bulaga (2023) and Brandon Myers (2024).
Saturday’s game between the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions will begin at 6 p.m. CT and will stream exclusively on Peacock.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: 2025 ANF Wall of Honor recipient reflects on Iowa football career
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
