KIRKLAND – While Mike Gomez’s size and potential led the Seattle Seahawks to sign him to a free-agent contract, the 6-foot-6 tight end can thank the fortune of good timing for his trip to the Super Bowl.
Gomez was working a series of odd jobs in his hometown of Miami when the Seahawks called nine days ago and offered him a spot on their practice squad. Now the first-year player from the University of Illinois is headed to Detroit for the NFL’s biggest game.
“I was just sitting at home, and suddenly I get a call: ‘You’re going to the NFC championship game,’” he said Wednesday. “I feel real fortunate to be going to the Super Bowl.”
Since getting cut by the Dallas Cowboys at training camp, Gomez worked a number of jobs.
“Every odd job you could think of,” he said. “Substitute teaching, I worked with my old man flooring.
“You name it, I was doing it. Anything to make a dollar. And then you get the call. It’s kind of crazy.”
Gomez didn’t believe it when he got the call – “C’mon, man. I’ve been going thought a lot. Don’t mess with me,” he recalls telling his agent – and had just two hours to pack his things, drive to the airport and catch a flight from Miami to Seattle.
Whether it’s geographic distance or job titles, Gomez has come a long way in a matter of days. And now he’s on the verge of joining his new teammates for the week of annual hype known as the Super Bowl buildup.
As a practice squad player, Gomez will travel with the team and help prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’ll then have the option of standing on the sideline but won’t be eligible to play.
If the Seahawks win, he’ll get a Super Bowl ring, just like the guys who actually play.
“I’m not even thinking about that,” Gomez said. “I’m not even supposed to be here right now. This is all bonus stuff for me, so whatever happens happens. I’m just happy to be here.”
Bumps and bruises: Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (concussion), defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (foot) and wide receivers Bobby Engram (hip) and Darrell Jackson (knee) did not practice Wednesday but should be healed up by next week.
Bernard and Jackson were resting previous injuries, while Engram and Tatupu got hurt in the NFC championship game.
“I feel good,” Tatupu said after Wednesday’s practice. “I thought they were going to let me go (Wednesday), but they were being cautious right now and want to take it slow. Hopefully I’ll be in there (Thursday).”
Fullback Mack Strong also got beat up in Sunday’s game, and was sporting a cut on his nose and a reddened left eye after getting scratched and poked against the Carolina Panthers.
“You get that all the time,” he said, shrugging off the injuries. “Poked in the eye. Thigh bruises. Stingers. That’s all in a day’s work for a fullback.”
The next George Plimpton?: After 12 seasons without a postseason win, Strong doesn’t want to forget a moment of the Super Bowl experience.
So a few hours after the Seahawks won the NFC championship game, he started keeping a journal.
“I’m just trying to soak up every moment that I can and just really save it,” Strong said. “I’m writing it all in my diary for the future, for myself and my kids, just so that I’ll remember this incredible experience that we get.
“It doesn’t come around for everybody. This is my first one, and I need to enjoy it.”
Back to work: After taking two days to revel in the NFC championship win, the Seahawks were back on the practice field Wednesday.
“It was great for the team,” offensive lineman Walter Jones said of Sunday’s win over Carolina, “but the No. 1 goal now is to get a game plan ready to try to beat the Steelers.”
Quick slants: Long snapper Jean-Philippe Darche, a native of Montreal, said he was told by a Toronto reporter that he’s the first Canadian to play in a Super Bowl since 2000. He’s also believed to be the first player from a Canadian college to play in a Super Bowl in more than 20 years. … Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was sporting a hat from his alma mater, Boston College, on Wednesday. “I legitimately just got this in the mail today,” he said. “I didn’t know they knew I was out here playing, but apparently they do.”
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