One-on-one with Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon
Daily Iowan sports reporter Pete Mills spoke with Hawkeye defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, who spends his free time playing Madden online and listening to Rihanna.
Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon prepares to tackle during the Iowa football game against Miami (Ohio) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, August 31, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Redhawks 38-14. (Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan)
October 3, 2019
Daily Iowan: What do you do in your free time outside of football?
Nixon: I like to play Madden. I like to play Madden a lot. I like to hang out with my teammates and just watch movies and chill out.
DI: Do you go Franchise Mode in Madden?
Nixon: No, I like to play online. I met some kid the other day playing, and I had my headset on. So, I was talking through his plays and the offense because I was on defense. I’m reading his offense out to him. So he’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m scared. You know exactly what I’m doing.’ I’m like, ‘I play defense, so I’m used to reading out the offense.’
DI: Do you win a lot?
Nixon: Online? I do. Playing against Chauncey Golston, sometimes no. He’s better than me at Madden, sadly.
DI: What’s the worst part about your football season diet?
Nixon: It’s not really a diet, but it’s knowing what to eat and how much to eat of it. I really don’t have a diet. My coaches think I’m at pretty good weight right now.
DI: What’s your favorite Iowa City restaurant then?
Nixon: Short’s Burgers and Shine. I don’t get burgers, but I get it in a wrap, like a burrito. If you go to Short’s Burgers and Shine, they’ll tell you my sandwich is like a little infant. Like a little baby. It’s huge. I’ll order and call in, but they’ll know my number and already know my order.
DI: Which of your teammates would you hoop with?
Nixon: I’ll play with Alaric Jackson, Kaevon Merriweather, Geno Stone, and probably Terry Roberts. He has very good defense and a nice shot.
DI: Who was your biggest athletic influence growing up?
Nixon: My big brother, Edward Nixon. He was everything I wanted to be growing up as an athlete and as a person. I strived to be better at him in football and any sport we actually played. Growing up, we played volleyball, basketball, baseball, football.
DI: Do you listen to music before games?
Nixon: I listen to a lot of different things, various genres and playlists. The main people I listen to are Sam Smith to keep my body calm. Right before I go out, I’ll listen to NLE Choppa, I’ll listen to a few of his songs. NBA Youngboy. I listen to a little bit of Rihanna, a little bit of Beyoncé, they help me stay calm.