Daviyon Nixon

[Stoopsbrother]

Looks like he was cut by Miami back in March, anyone have some insight as to why he's not sticking with a team?

I've heard some things but cannot verify if they are accurate or not. He definitely has the natural ability to be on a NFL roster imo

 

[kkhawk]

You’d be surprised at how many really talented players don’t make it. You really have to love football.

 

[TonyTheTiger.1865]

A player that desperately needed more time in college ball but left early.

 

[Crafty Beaver]

Most prolific drug dealer at Iowa since djk.

 

[Muscles1989]

Most prolific drug dealer at Iowa since djk.

So you’re saying football is his side hustle

 

[Crafty Beaver]

So you’re saying football is his side hustle

It was. He walked as close of a line to getting kicked off the team as was humanly possible while he was here. I believe the leadership group even voted to boot him at one point, but KF overrode that vote. His ridiculous talent saved him.

But yeah, I assume some of those character flaws followed him into the NFL.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Kinda reminds me of the situation with Christian Ballard too ... both guys are supremely naturally gifted ... but neither seemed to get into the game for the right reasons. If you're in it for only the money ... then you're likely not going to be happy. Furthermore, you're not going to have the motivation/drive to improve your game so that you can excel ... and truly earn the "big" money.

I think that kkhawk nailed it. You have to really love the game.

In light of this consideration ... frankly, sticking around another year (in college) would have done nothing to further grow his love for the game.

There is a caveat here though ... and that is, if you're a sociopathic competitor. For such people, it's all about accruing the most wealth and/or winning the most games ... appreciation for the game is entirely secondary. To such folks, losing is not an option. Neither Christian nor Daviyon fit that bill ... they both seem more to be on the hedonistic side rather than the ascetic side of things.

 

[Stoopsbrother]

Kinda reminds me of the situation with Christian Ballard too ... both guys are supremely naturally gifted ... but neither seemed to get into the game for the right reasons. If you're in it for only the money ... then you're likely not going to be happy. Furthermore, you're not going to have the motivation/drive to improve your game so that you can excel ... and truly earn the "big" money.

I think that kkhawk nailed it. You have to really love the game.

In light of this consideration ... frankly, sticking around another year (in college) would have done nothing to further grow his love for the game.

There is a caveat here though ... and that is, if you're a sociopathic competitor. For such people, it's all about accruing the most wealth and/or winning the most games ... appreciation for the game is entirely secondary. To such folks, losing is not an option. Neither Christian nor Daviyon fit that bill ... they both seem more to be on the hedonistic side rather than the ascetic side of things.

Ballard could have been a Pro Bowl caliber player in the NFL if he wanted to.

 

[Bloody Run Hawk]

Ballard was at least in the NFL long enough for some coin.

 

[Hawgk]

Kinda reminds me of the situation with Christian Ballard too ... both guys are supremely naturally gifted ... but neither seemed to get into the game for the right reasons. If you're in it for only the money ... then you're likely not going to be happy. Furthermore, you're not going to have the motivation/drive to improve your game so that you can excel ... and truly earn the "big" money.

I think that kkhawk nailed it. You have to really love the game.

In light of this consideration ... frankly, sticking around another year (in college) would have done nothing to further grow his love for the game.

There is a caveat here though ... and that is, if you're a sociopathic competitor. For such people, it's all about accruing the most wealth and/or winning the most games ... appreciation for the game is entirely secondary. To such folks, losing is not an option. Neither Christian nor Daviyon fit that bill ... they both seem more to be on the hedonistic side rather than the ascetic side of things.

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

 

[Beattheohiostate]

It was. He walked as close of a line to getting kicked off the team as was humanly possible while he was here. I believe the leadership group even voted to boot him at one point, but KF overrode that vote. His ridiculous talent saved him.

But yeah, I assume some of those character flaws followed him into the NFL.

And the NFL, as we know, does not abide players with "character flaws." LOL

Only the righteous shall be blessed with an NFL career. Or something like that . . .

 

[HawCory]

And the NFL, as we know, does not abide players with "character flaws." LOL

Only the righteous shall be blessed with an NFL career. Or something like that . . .

 

[Roncuba55]

Most prolific drug dealer at Iowa since djk.

Pretty strong allegations... & I find it hard to believe Kirk overruled the leadership committee.

 

[bdg8]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

I thought he was too. Just liked his weed. Which is entirely different than dealing

 

[Greenway4Prez]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

I thought he was too. Just liked his weed. Which is entirely different than dealing

Ballard was also an extremely gifted musician, and just never struck me as the “obsessed with football” type.

When we played OSU or PSU, that dude was flat out unblockable. The bigger the game, the more he showed out.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

Ballard was a good dude ... he just didn't love football. The guy was an athletic freak ... but didn't stick longer in the league because he didn't love the game. That was the angle I was coming from.

And, for that matter ... my bet is that Daviyon wasn't a bad dude either. Kirk always spoke highly of him as a person. It didn't mean that he didn't do plenty of dumb shit though ...

Also, being a hedonist, in itself, isn't a bad thing (I'm far more a hedonist than an adherent to ascetism) ... my point had more to do with having the drive to truly tap into their physical freakishness.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Ballard could have been a Pro Bowl caliber player in the NFL if he wanted to.

Agreed.

 

[kceasthawk]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

I believe that he was the one that failed the drug test at the combine/ Honestly that team had some real substance abuse, and leadership issues, which is why they never reached their potential.....

 

[Forgery5]

I think Ballard left the nfl to work in a weed manufacturing/startup in Colorado. He may be richer than all of us!!

 

[Stoopsbrother]

Ballard was also an extremely gifted musician, and just never struck me as the “obsessed with football” type.

When we played OSU or PSU, that dude was flat out unblockable. The bigger the game, the more he showed out.

Truth

 

[Bloody Run Hawk]

Ballard did choose to quit the NFL. I believe he was just tired of it. He didn't get in any trouble.

 

[ichawk24]

Nixon was drafted in the 5th round. He wasn't destined for greatness.

Ballard was a 4th round pick who managed to hand around 4 years.

Take off your black and gold shades.

 

[Crafty Beaver]

Nixon was drafted in the 5th round. He wasn't destined for greatness.

Ballard was a 4th round pick who managed to hand around 4 years.

Take off your black and gold shades.

His draft position s/h/b much higher, imo, given his production. He won B10 Defensive POY, if memory serves...

 

[kwik44]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

Ballard was a good dude. He quit football because he admitted it wasn’t as fun as college and I believe he went off to start a music label or something along those lines.

 

[Stoopsbrother]

Nixon was drafted in the 5th round. He wasn't destined for greatness.

Ballard was a 4th round pick who managed to hand around 4 years.

Take off your black and gold shades.

Ballard was the most athletically gifted DL in the Ferentz era.

Nixon is probably 2nd on that list.

 

[Roncuba55]

Ballard was the most athletically gifted DL in the Ferentz era.

Nixon is probably 2nd on that list.

Does Clayborn count? That block punt and scoop @ PSU was a once in a lifetime play you see.

 

[Stoopsbrother]

Does Clayborn count? That block punt and scoop @ PSU was a once in a lifetime play you see.

#94 was a better player than both, but not more naturally gifted than Ballard or Nixon

 

[CarterHall]

It was. He walked as close of a line to getting kicked off the team as was humanly possible while he was here. I believe the leadership group even voted to boot him at one point, but KF overrode that vote. His ridiculous talent saved him.

But yeah, I assume some of those character flaws followed him into the NFL.

If true, what does that say about Kirk?

 

[Crafty Beaver]

If true, what does that say about Kirk?

That he wasn't going to kick an elite player off the team for something that couldn't be tangibly proven.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Ballard was the most athletically gifted DL in the Ferentz era.

Nixon is probably 2nd on that list.

AJ Epenesa and Lukas Van Ness both belong on the list of physical freaks who've been on our DL.

 

[squeezebox]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

He was/is a good dude, just got sick of playing football. NFL still had the marijuana stigma, and Christian stepped away for the right reasons.

 

[squeezebox]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Matt Roth for physical freaks, but Adrian C. should get a boost given how much of an absolute monster while suffering from Erbs palsy.

 

[Greenway4Prez]

I wonder if/how many times one of the Hawkeye podcasts tried to reach out to Ballard. I think he would be a fascinating guest.

 

[SI_NYC]

Kinda reminds me of the situation with Christian Ballard too ... both guys are supremely naturally gifted ... but neither seemed to get into the game for the right reasons. If you're in it for only the money ... then you're likely not going to be happy. Furthermore, you're not going to have the motivation/drive to improve your game so that you can excel ... and truly earn the "big" money.

I think that kkhawk nailed it. You have to really love the game.

In light of this consideration ... frankly, sticking around another year (in college) would have done nothing to further grow his love for the game.

There is a caveat here though ... and that is, if you're a sociopathic competitor. For such people, it's all about accruing the most wealth and/or winning the most games ... appreciation for the game is entirely secondary. To such folks, losing is not an option. Neither Christian nor Daviyon fit that bill ... they both seem more to be on the hedonistic side rather than the ascetic side of things.

Ballard chose his brain or the bucks. IMO, he was smart for doing so.

 

[SI_NYC]

I thought Ballard was good dude? Maybe I’m thinking of somebody else?

He was.