BREAKING: Micah HYDE joins the BUFFALO PLUS team

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast: "BREAKING: Micah HYDE joins the BUFFALO PLUS team"

Date: August 5, 2026
Host(s): Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Special Guest: Micah Hyde

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Episode Overview

In a landmark episode, Buffalo Plus introduces former Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl safety Micah Hyde as a new weekly contributor to the podcast. The episode focuses on Hyde’s post-football life, his transition from player to media personality and coach, reflections on his career and retirement, and behind-the-scenes insights into NFL life. The conversation dives into topics like fatherhood, the humanity of players, locker room culture, and the intense mindset required for NFL success, all delivered in the show’s signature informal and friendly tone.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Micah Hyde Joins Buffalo Plus

• Announcement and Welcome (00:39–04:40)
  • Surprise reveal: Hyde to join the show every week, bringing his "player perspective" and insider knowledge.
  • Hosts express excitement about the unique insights Hyde provides, owing to his direct experience on the field and inside the locker room.
  • Mike Catalana highlights Hyde’s honest, passionate approach and connection to the Bills' culture revival.

2. Life After Football

• Adjusting to Retirement and Fatherhood (04:40–07:57)
  • Hyde says he is now "busier than ever" as a dad of three, coaching flag football, and managing family chaos at home.
  • Funny anecdotes about getting roped into coaching and the competitive mindset he’ll bring to his son’s Iowa Hawkeyes flag football team.

3. Transition to Media

• Why Media, Why Now? (07:37–08:40)
  • Hyde explains that after nearly two years out of playing (brief return in ‘24), it felt like the right moment to start talking football publicly.
  • He says media duties were never "a hassle" and always enjoyed interacting with journalists—except when answering tough questions.
• Experience with NFL Network (08:40–09:52)
  • Loved being involved in "Good Morning Football" and appreciates being able to now work from home in San Diego to stay present with his family.

4. Retirement Details & Decision-Making

• On Being Officially Retired (09:53–10:12, 13:43–23:07)
  • Hyde responds emphatically: "Hell, yeah. I mean, I can cuss on here, right?... Hell, yeah" when asked if he is retired. (09:55)
  • Reflects that he is still in good shape, but doesn’t miss the physical toll of real games: "I want no parts of that." (10:14)
• The Emotional Weight of Retirement (13:43–23:07)
  • Describes returning to the Bills after his neck injury, prepping as if he might play, but in the end, declining a practice squad offer.
  • "The fact that I was second guessing it, that was the story. That was the... That was where I was like, yeah, I can't. I can't do this." (18:58)
  • Decision driven by health, family, and the realization: "Why would I put my neck in jeopardy?"
  • Praises the Bills' leadership for the respect shown: "There was no expectations for me... everything was in my court." (19:26-20:02)
  • Says what he misses most is the camaraderie in the locker room, not the fame or the hardware.

5. Player Humanity & Life Balance

• Challenges of Balancing Family and Football (10:46–12:51)
  • Talks openly about the family toll, living in Buffalo with his wife and kids (“maybe for selfish reasons but also to be able to help”), and recognizing that players are often wrongly treated as robots.
  • His situation was unusual for NFL standards—many teammates’ families lived across the country.
  • "These football players are not robots. They miss their families, and they're going here to try to make a career for themselves." (11:31)

6. Hyde & Poyer, Brotherhood On and Off the Field

• Relationship Since Playing Days Together (13:00–14:51)
  • Maintain a close friendship, still in touch and supportive of each other's post-Buffalo decisions.
  • Hyde on Poyer: "He's a Buffalo Bill just like myself... We came in together and we do what we had to do for that organization. I always be thankful for Po. He knows that...that's my brother for life." (14:29)

7. Behind the Scenes: Reflecting on a Career

• On Watching Himself and Legacy (22:55–24:28)

  • Doesn't watch highlight tapes himself but laughs about his son finding old clips on the iPad.
  • Enjoys seeing old games on TV: "There'll be games, like, on NFL Network... I gotta tune in."
  • Forgets many details—emphasizes the elite mindset is just "get better, get better," not dwell on the past.

• Wearing “23” and Seeing Others in the Number (24:28–25:35)

  • Comments on others wearing his old number, and how "23" has become central to his identity.

8. NFL Mindset: Possessed to Play

• Commitment and the "Sick Mindset" (26:14–27:49)
  • "You gotta be possessed. You gotta be possessed. And it's... It's a sick mindset." (26:14)
  • Describes the unique drive and mentality needed to persist through snow and pain in Buffalo winters.

9. Training Camp Culture & Locker Room Stories

• Training Camp Fights & Team Dynamics (27:49–33:43)

  • Reflects on fights at Bills camp—usually just “pushing matches,” but increasing with pads coming on.
  • Team rule: "Do not cut the tape. Like, don't cut it early. We're trying to see these fights, right, because we need this during training camp night when we're all tired." (31:44)
  • Comments on chirping and instigators: Diggs was notorious for annoying defensive backs—but it made everyone better.

• Chirping and Smack Talk (33:50–36:12)

  • Hyde prefers to "respond" to trash talk rather than initiate: "If they were talking junk to me, then I would have to say something back." (36:11)

• Locker Room Laughter and Dorm Life (37:03–38:08)

  • The best part of camp is being with the "clowns"—the camaraderie and shared goofiness.
  • Least favorite part? “Prima donna” about beds and pillows after neck injury.

• Off-Field Interests and Downtime (Settlers, TV, Content) (38:08–39:14)

  • Never learned Settlers of Catan (a Bills tradition), more of a TV guy in downtime at camp.

10. What’s Next for Micah Hyde

• Personal Endeavors and Community Work (39:35–40:16)
  • Promotes his charity work (Imagine for You Foundation), business ventures, and desire to share more of these stories and updates with Buffalo Plus listeners.
  • Jokes about giving flag football "Iowa Hawkeyes" team weekly updates; team competes in Drew Brees’s league in San Diego.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Retirement:
  "Hell, yeah. I mean, I can cuss on here, right?... Hell, yeah." (09:55, Micah Hyde)

• On Reluctance to Play Again:
  "I feel like I can go out there and give you a few snaps, but... I want no parts of that. I want the hitting. No, no, no, no, no, no. Like, that sound. That. That looks brutal. Sounds brutal. I want no parts of that." (10:14, Micah Hyde)

• On Why He Didn’t Return:
  "The fact that I was second guessing it, that was the story... that was where I was like, yeah, I can't. I can't do this." (18:58, Micah Hyde)

• On the NFL Mindset:
  "You gotta be possessed. And it's... It's a sick mindset... a random, you know, November 3rd day in Buffalo with the clouds, and everyone's tailgating... you got to wake up and you got to be possessed. You got to be just batshit crazy to go out there." (27:36, Micah Hyde)

• On Team Camaraderie:
  "All that stuff is amazing, but I just miss the guys in the locker room." (21:30, Micah Hyde)

• On Player Humanity:
  "These football players are not robots. They miss their families, and they're going here to try to make a career for themselves." (11:31, Micah Hyde)

• On Practice Fights and Watching Tape:
  "Do not cut the tape. Like, don't cut it early. We're trying to see these fights." (31:44, Micah Hyde)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:39 – Micah Hyde announced as weekly contributor
• 04:40 – Hyde on fatherhood, coaching his son’s flag football team
• 07:37 – Why now for media, reflections on interacting with the press
• 09:55 – Confirmation of retirement ("Hell, yeah")
• 13:43 – Reflections on the end of his career, emotional process
• 18:58 – On the mental break that led to retirement
• 21:30 – What he misses about playing (locker room)
• 26:14 – NFL mindset: "You gotta be possessed"
• 27:49 – Fights at camp; behind-the-scenes of training camp culture
• 33:50 – Trash talk between offense and defense
• 37:03 – Locker room jokes, downsides of camp (bad beds)
• 39:35 – Hyde’s community involvement and upcoming flag football stories

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Tone & Style

• Dialogue is light, candid, humorous, and warm.
• Appreciation for Hyde’s openness and willingness to discuss both the highs and lows of his career.
• All hosts joke with each other, create a welcoming environment for Hyde, and celebrate the new format’s potential.

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Conclusion

This milestone episode of Buffalo Plus sets the stage for a season of uniquely informative, entertaining Bills coverage—with Micah Hyde’s perspective promising to bridge the gap between fans, media, and the real lives of NFL players and families.

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For more weekly insight, subscribe to Buffalo Plus and follow Micah Hyde on Instagram (@micah_hyde).

Transcript

[A]

I don't think the common person understands that you gotta be possessed, go out there and make plays. It's crazy. It's wild, man. If I didn't have this next situation, I'd still be playing to this day. That was the story. That was the. That was where I was like, yeah, I can't. I can't do this now. We tell them, do not cut the tape. Like, don't cut it early. We're trying to see these fights. And like I said, I'm excited to be a part of this. Now from the Connors and Ferris podcast studio, this is the Buffalo plus podcast.

[B]

Surprise. I love it. Micah Hyde joining our podcast every week now. That is Mike Catalana. Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. Welcome back, Buffalo plus, featuring Micah Hyde. Like we said, it'll be once a week. Please be sure to, like, comment, subscribe and share. We wanted to give the player perspective, not just like, obviously we have our takeaways and our recaps, but we thought of no one better than Micah Hyde, who he means to the Bills and just the insight that he has on the game.

[C]

Look, I've been doing this for a while. Mike is, without question, one of my favorite players because I. The way he played, how connected he was with the organization, how impactful he was from the start of the turnaround of the franchise and his passion for it, his honesty. And so we were thinking, like you said, who better than to be part of our work during the year covering this version of the Bills?

[D]

Yeah. And we've been doing this now for a few years. And I think the one thing that we've always done really well is bring the information in an informal conversational way. It's just three people. I think that's what people have loved about Buffalo plus that's what they do still love about Buffalo Plus. But we haven't been in the building. We haven't been in the huddle.

[B]

What, better than I have not played in the NFL? I know you might be shocked by that.

[D]

Really? No, me neither.

[B]

I have made a tackle.

[C]

Yes, that is true. Yes, that is something you have in common with Micah.

[B]

Yeah, that's true.

[C]

Took down Mike Evans.

[B]

Yeah. No big deal.

[D]

But to give his insight, and that is what I'm most looking forward to, is the educational side.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

We, none of us here try to break down the All 22 and tell everybody, like, well, this is what's going on. This. Micah. Micah.

[C]

Ken, we got a guy now.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, here's a guy.

[C]

Yeah. And we are recording this after we talk to Micah, I'll just tell you, I knew he'd be good. He's awesome.

[B]

Well, and I think this episode, like. Like we said, so it's going to be a weekly type of segment or type of podcast. And I think for this episode, it's so important to, like, what is Micah doing now? What is his life like now? What is his. What was the end of his career like? And we got to get into the nitty gritty of that in a way that we have not heard.

[C]

Right.

[B]

And it was really cool to kind of see Micah Hyde. We knew the player. Now we get the player as well as who the person is even more.

[D]

That's it. It's. That's what I. I asked him about being a dad. He's got three kids, he's coaching his son's flag football team. Like, all of that. That dynamic is so cool to get to see who he is as a person, because we knew him so long. And even Mike was one of the few people that I would have conversations about family and kids in the locker room where it wasn't just, hey, you know, you're going up against Patrick Mahomes this week. It was, hey, how are the kids? Oh, you know, my sons really loves Trash Truck. And I was like, oh, my daughters are really into Bluey. He's like, oh, I love Bluey, too. Like, those were the kind of relationships. And that's where it felt like this would be a perfect match for what Buffalo plus is. And to bring Micah Hyde on is amazing.

[B]

So, without further ado, here's Micah Hyde. All right. Welcoming the newest member of the Buffalo plus team, a man who needs no introduction from Bill's mafia, Micah Hyde. Welcome to your first of many weekly podcasts. Micah, we just want to say thank you so much for joining us.

[D]

Welcome to the team.

[A]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to. To join the team. Can I get one of the, like, the animated figures that you guys have here on the screen?

[D]

I can work on that. I'll work on that.

[C]

Whatever we have, we're gonna get. You can get it.

[D]

Yeah. With the painting that's behind you, we're gonna get one of me, and we're gonna put that behind you.

[B]

Oh, God, Micah, I'm so sorry.

[C]

We already apologize for Dan. All right, so let's start big picture here. For Bill's fans who've missed seeing you all the time, what's life been like? What have you been up to?

[A]

Oh, I. I've been busier now than I've ever been in my life. Had a. Had our third child three months ago, so she's keeping us on our toes. Thank you. Thank you. The first two, somehow, some way, like the third's born, and now the first two just want to fight all day, every day because they're around each other, right? So we're trying to solve that crisis all day, every day. And then school's about to start here. What, today's the 4th. On the 12th, school starts. So I'm excited for that. Get them. Get them back all day.

[D]

That's it, man. Like, everybody talks about how great the summers are, and they are. And you'll see Instagram reels, right, Micah, that's like, you only get 18 summers with your kids. And. Yeah, it's all. That's true. And we love our kids. And like I said, Micah, I've got three as well. I'm ready for a structure of schedule. Instead of them waking up and just going, what are we doing today?

[A]

Exactly. It's a lot on the parent. It's a lot on the parents to be able to figure out what they're doing all day and get them outside the house and stuff like that. So they've. They've been in summer camp for the last, you know, month and a half or whatever, but it just ended at the end of July. So we have 12 days of August that we got. We got to figure out. And so once they start school, that'll be good. They'll be in soccer, and I'm coaching flag football this year, guys.

[B]

Oh, nice.

[D]

Wow.

[A]

And in the. This is a crazy story. I got thrown into it. It was the last day that the coaches could sign up. I was kind of procrastinating. One of the parents said, hey, you know, this is the last day. Are you going to do it? I felt pressured. I put my name on the list. I'm down, and next thing you know, within a day, my whole team is full. I didn't even get to, you know, I didn't get to pick. So here we are, and we're going to coach some flag football. Let's see how it goes.

[B]

That's fun.

[C]

You're going to have the kids breaking down tape. Is that what you're going to be

[B]

doing, getting out the clipboard?

[A]

Well, I've coached. I've coached some of these kids already in soccer and baseball over the last couple years. But I told him, I said, football is my sport, so I'm not going to be here to babysit. Like, I was A little bit during soccer and baseball. Like, we're going to go out there, we're going to get better. So they're going to, they're going to see a different side of Coach Micah when it comes to, when it comes to flag football. So you guys are going to hear all about it all year. I'm excited for you guys because there's going to be some funny stories and, and you guys get to be very, very entertained.

[C]

What's the name of the team? We got to know the team.

[A]

Oh, I haven't broke. I haven't even told them yet. So it's college football teams. And so I went, I went on, I logged in and it's the Iowa Hawkeyes.

[C]

Yeah, I knew it was going to be that, but I didn't think they

[A]

were going to have. I didn't think they were going to have them. But now that, you know, it's a big 10 country out here now, you know, with, you know, USC and UCLA now, so it's, it kind of worked out good in my favor.

[D]

I just can't wait to see, like, Coach Micah with the headset on. Hey, guys.

[A]

Okay, I'm gonna be wearing this.

[D]

Ready?

[B]

Ready to go?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No, for you. Like, I know you're now doing the flag football coaching, everything that goes into that, but wanting to do kind of the more media side of things now that you're not playing as much or not playing. And we can also get into that in terms of your playing career. But know what made you want to take this direction in this step at this point?

[A]

I think it's time. I think it's time. You know, I feel like, you know, throughout my whole career being, you know, having, talking to the media, being in front of you guys, having conversations, it's always been fun. It's never been like a, a hassle to me other than I can think of a few times where I had to step in front of you guys and, and answer some, some, some tough questions or getting put all over ESPN for one interview, which was pretty, pretty fun. But for, for the most part, I've, I've enjoyed your guys's company. I've enjoyed an questions. So, you know, I kind of took a step back over the last, what year and I guess almost two years if it wasn't for me going back for a little bit in 24. So, you know, I just feel like it's, it's time and it'd be good to get on here and talk a little football.

[C]

Yeah, I know you had some experience in the TV side of it, media wise, what was. What was that like? I think you're perfect for this, and we obviously do. But what was the TV side like for you when you did some stuff with NFL Network?

[A]

It was fun. It was fun. I mean, it was. It was cool to go, you know, New York City, fly in, be a part of that show, which I still watch to this day. And really, every single morning when you're in the complex, when we were in the complex in Buffalo, that would be playing in the. Just throughout the building and stuff like that, so you catch glimpse of, you know, good morning football. And so, you know, I got to know the cast and stuff like that pretty well. Great, great people. Great humans. The people that are on now with Manti and Jaleel and stuff like that, I know them really well as well. Mitch Morse, he's on there too. Yeah, great, you know, great teammate of mine. So it was fun. I think that for me, being able to do this, you know, from my home here in San Diego and still be present with the kids, and I have to travel all the way to New York City or even up. Up to la, which I'm not a huge fan of. And so this was just the perfect opportunity. And like I said, I'm ready to join this squad and talk a little. Bill's football.

[C]

Love it.

[D]

Are you retired?

[A]

Hell, yeah. I mean, I can. I can cuss on here, right? Because we can.

[D]

Oh, absolutely.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Yes.

[B]

I didn't know.

[C]

So earlier, I'm like, okay, but I have a question. Does the phone still ring?

[A]

No.

[B]

Do you. Would you answer it?

[A]

I mean, I would. I would answer it for sure, but there's no. There's no. I mean, it's different now, right? Like, I try to get workouts in every day as long as my wife allows me, you know, within the. The taking care of Millie and stuff like that. So, you know, I feel like I'm. I'm in pretty good shape. I feel like I can go out there and give you a few snaps, but when it comes to playing a whole football game, I want no parts of that. I want the hitting. No, no, no, no, no, no. Like, that sound. That. That looks brutal. Sounds brutal. I want no parts of that.

[D]

What has it been like? And I guess I'm asking you this as like, dad to dad, how you did what you did for so many years with a young family. Like, it's. It's a grueling job. And I think even my wife sometimes, like, doesn't understand. Like, sometimes the families don't live in western New York with players. Team. You know, guys bounce around and don't have, you know, their home base, maybe in a different city or. What was that all like as a player? Because I think sometimes. I've always said that a lot of times I think fans think of players as, like, robots, and they just go to. They play football, and that's it. And it's like they have lives and kids, and they have the same struggles outside of their job, just like we do.

[A]

100. 100. Yeah. You hit it right on the head. I think that for me, it's a little bit of both, because for me, I was never going back to Buffalo without my family. Like, there was never a time. I can't even remember going back to Buffalo, staying in that home without my family, because whether it was OTAS or the season, I always wanted them to go back with me because it was just maybe for selfish reasons, but also just to be able to help whenever I got home and help with the family and help with the kids and stuff like that, too. But at the same time, I can also remember times where we're in the middle of the football season, the weather's turning. I'm not in the greatest attitude. We're coming off a loss. I got a lot of film to watch at night, and I'm just not present with the family. Right. Like, that's. That's also the other side of that. So, yeah, a lot of. I've been. I guess I was fortunate enough to be in Buffalo for so long, you know, and. And kind of have my family there. But some guys, man, they're journeymen. Some guys are in Buffalo. One week they go to, you know, let's say Miami the next week, then they're off to Seattle. And, you know, within a whole season, they've done three different organizations, and their. Their family lives in Houston. Right. Like that. So it can be difficult. And. And, yeah, I think a lot of. A lot of people need to understand that, you know, these football players are not robots. They. They miss their families, and they're going here to try to make a career for themselves.

[D]

Yeah, I just think about, like, you have disagreements with your spouses just like anybody else does, and all of that stuff also, like, weighs in.

[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I think people just, like, you guys go to work, right? We got to go to work and be able to turn all that stuff off, because at the end of the day, no one wants to hear about that. When you're on the football field, like, you gotta.

[C]

Yeah, we've talked about it. It's like. And when you're on nobody at home, they may care in a sense, but they don't really care. They want what you produce. And in this case, you were great on the football field. That's why I wanted to ask you. There's always Hyde and Poyer, Poyer and Hyde. You guys are together, like, all the time. What's happened? Like, because you two were not just teammates. I mean, you were partners on the field all the time and in the same place a lot. What's it been like since he's not playing at the moment?

[A]

We've had some good conversations. You know, we. We still have. We still connect. Every now and then I check up on him, see how he's doing. He checks up on me and stuff like that. So it's. You know, seeing him play that final season with Buffalo was good to finally go back there. That was. I feel like that was much needed, that whole Miami trip, you know, I think that ultimately he did make a good decision, and I told him that to his face. I said, bro, like, I, I like the decision you made because he's from there, his family's there. You know, they were on paper, a very good football team up until, you know, I think Tua got hurt early, right? So that kind of knocked him out of the. Out of the. The race. But, yeah, seeing him finish up in Buffalo was much needed. He's a. He's a Buffalo Bill just like myself, right? Like, we came in together and we. We do what we had to do for that organization. So, you know, I always be thankful for Po. He knows that, man, that's my brother for life. And, you know, who knows, though, He. He. That guy is football through and through. He might strap up the. Strap up the pads and. And go back out there. But, hey, I'll be watching from. From my home here in San Diego because like I said, ain't no way I'm doing that.

[D]

Well, I'm just saying, if you have that connection now, Buffalo plus could break some news. We could be. We could get.

[A]

Okay, inside source.

[C]

Micah Hyde is back. He has signed with Buffalo Plus. There we go. That's the breaking news.

[A]

There we go.

[C]

Hey, not to put you on. On the spot with this, but when you came back a couple of years ago, was there a plan to play?

[A]

Okay, so now that it's. We're removed from this situation, that whole season I was preparing as if I'm going to play, right? Like, I was. I was felt Good. Felt amazing. No issues with my neck, none of that stuff. Right. And so I had some conversations, which was probably around Thanksgiving, right, because I ended up going back, I think, December 1st, a little bit before Thanksgiving, about, about returning. And I remember talking to Bean, talking to Sean, and they were like, hey, like, you know, if, if you want to, obviously the contract's gonna have to look like this. It's gonna have to be a Pete Squad type situation and stuff like that. And, and at the time I was like, that's not me. Right. Because it's a very humbling experience, right? To be, to be the guy for so many years, you know, step away for a while and then, you know, be asked to come back on, on practice squad is a very humble situation. That's why I have so much respect for guys like Josh Norman. Just, you know, all the guys throughout the years that have came back to Buffalo to, to be part of the P squad and hopefully get a chance to play. But so I talked to them and I was like, I don't know if I want to do it. And I'm, I'm, I, you not. For three nights, I did not sleep, Amanda, like, and I was going to bed at like, 9 o' clock because I'm like, I don't want to think about this anymore because I wanted to be a part of the, the run. But at the same time, I was like, I don't need, I don't need to do this, right? Like, I, the next situation was, it is what it is. And so, but ended up going back there, and on my way back there, I'm, I'm thinking, like, I'm, I'm gonna, I'm gonna start, like, I know myself, I'm a competitor. Like, I'm gonna go out there, I'm gonna play, and so we get into practice, whatever. But, you know, at the same time, I knew I had to, like, bulk up a little bit, and I needed a couple weeks to really get my body and my mind back together. And so ended up almost, well, ended up doing that. But in, in the time I, I remember, Sean came up to me and said something about going out there and catching punts in a game, and I was like, you know, that'd be a smooth transition to get back onto the field. You know, I, I, I'll be suited up, so therefore, I'm sure I'll probably get some defensive snaps a little bit and stuff like that. And then it just like, I, I guess I got overwhelmed with that decision, right? Because he didn't Put the pressure on me. He just said, like, hey, you know, come back to me by the end of the week or something. Let me know what you want to do, because we got to figure out the whole roster situation. And at that time, I went back to the end of the week and I was like, bro, there's nothing more I want to do is go out there and help this football team. But after having, you know, a couple conversations with Amanda, I was just like, why would I put my neck in jeopardy? Right? Like, I don't. I don't need to do this. I was watching. I was watching all season. This team already clinched. They already. They already clinched the playoff berth. They already won the division. Like, I do want to help, and I feel like I was able to do that on the. In the locker room and. And on the practice field and stuff like that, and just, you know, the way I was able to just have conversations, give people confidence, you know, keep that momentum going. I definitely did help. Now the competitor in me was like, damn, I wish I would have strapped it up one more time, but I don't want to. I don't want to. I don't want to go down that path. Right. Like, that's not. Yeah, it was. It was difficult. It was seriously difficult because of three nights I did not sleep. I'm like, what am I gonna do about this? What?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That must have been so hard. You're weighing so much.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Being a competitor and then also, like, your health, like your family, like all that. I. I totally can empathize with that being a challenging situation and decision to make.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Especially when you have. When you've done that for so long and that's all you've known, is to put your body on the line and. And be involved.

[C]

That's my part.

[D]

Right.

[A]

That's my point. The fact that I was questioning it. Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's where. That's where I ultimately said it's a no go. Because it. Forever in my entire life, you. You throw a football out there, you throw a baseball, whatever. I'm going like, no. No questions asked. Right. I'm not second guess anything. But the fact that I was second guessing it, that was the story. That was the. That was where I was like, yeah, I can't. I can't do this.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

May. May I ask, like, what was the response, like, when you said that? Like, what. How was that received?

[A]

I was nothing but. Nothing but respect was like, oh, of course. Like, we totally understand. And I think that. I think that ultimately, like, there was no expectations for me. When I, as far as on the football field, I think that all the expectations for me was, hey, help this team do what we can do in the, in the, in the playoffs and give guys momentum. And, you know, if you got to talk in a team meeting and get guys going, you do that. Right. But I think on the football field, there was really no, like crazy expectations coming from Dean or Sean. So therefore everything was in my court. Right. Like, I could, I could do whatever I wanted. They were going to be happy with me. So are they going to let, they were going to let me do what I, what I had to do?

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Were you. That must have taken a certain level of comfort with Sean and with Brandon to kind of have that tough decision where, like, you had to be comfortable enough to sit there and say, guys, this is what I'm thinking, to do that. Like, could you have done that anywhere else at any other point in your career?

[A]

No, no. Like I said, it was obviously all the. I have so much respect for those two. Just because of that situation, like, just inviting me back, being able to end my career the way I wanted to end my career. You know, it was a very, very difficult situation to, to kind of navigate just because I, I was such a competitor, man. Like, I, I wanted to go out there and I wanted to help the team. But then, you know, the first, I think the first couple interviews I had with you guys once I sat down was like, man, look, like, this isn't about me. Like, this team already clinched. It's already a very good football team. Like what? Like, I'm not, this isn't, this isn't. Like, I don't want to have an ego trip and be like, this is about me and I need, I need to go out there and play and I need to make plays and I need to end my. With a game winning interception and the AFC championship game to send this team to the super bowl that hasn't been so, like, no, it's not about me. I could care less. And, you know, I'm sitting here right now and I see this picture behind me. I see some, you know, footballs, trophy cases and stuff like that in front of me. And honestly, like, all that stuff is amazing, but I just miss the guys in the locker room.

[C]

Right?

[A]

Like, that's, that's what, that's what I did it for. And so, yeah, it was a, it was, it was a wild experience, for sure.

[C]

Yeah. And, and your sport at your level is unique. Like, I think about, if you're a Baseball player, you can still go out and play tennis, golf, basketball, like, once you're done, like, it's not like you're putting on the pads, playing in a men's league for football. Right? That's it. That part I know it has to be, because, you know, physically I'm done. But you did put so much into this sport, and then you just never play it again. And I appreciate you letting us in a little bit on how tough it is. Yeah, it was tough to really make that decision.

[A]

Mike. I'm telling you right now, if I wouldn't have had this next situation, obviously, woulda, coulda, shoulda. And there's thousands and thousands of different guys and millions, actually, millions of guys. I can say this, right? But if I didn't have this next situation, I'd still be playing to this day.

[C]

But.

[A]

Because I know I. Because you got to be able to run, right? As long as you. As long as you can run, and as long as your shoulders and. And stuff, like, in your back are strong. And obviously my neck, like, that's just, you know, it is. It is how it is. And so every player that retires because of an injury can say, if it wasn't for this, I'd still be playing. But I'm. I'm confident in that. And I, you know, I wish I had more years to help out the Bills organization, but unfortunately, was not able to.

[B]

I mean, you had a hell of a career. And I gotta ask, like, do you ever, like, throw in the highlight tape of you, like, do you ever, like, late night, be like, oh, let me look up that interception against the Patriots in the playoffs?

[A]

No, there's, you know, my son will put some stuff he, you know, on his iPad and stuff like that. He has some highlight tapes and all that. So every now and then, which he doesn't really watch the iPad anymore, so maybe I need to put it in front of him and be like, hey, bro, like

[C]

the old man here, right?

[B]

Check this out.

[C]

Okay, so you're watching the TVs on and it's Bills, Patriots playoffs. Do you watch 100?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. There'll be games, like, on NFL Network, right? When it comes to, like, yeah, my games in Green Bay that are, you know, the NFC championship games and all this type of stuff that goes Interception

[C]

against the Cowboys in the playoffs.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. So when those games come on, I gotta tune in. And it's crazy because, like, I forget probably half of half of the plays and stuff that I. That, you know, that I made and Stuff like that. Just because, you know, you have that. You have that mindset when you're playing. And. And to play at an elite level, right, you gotta just. You gotta be able to just. Just. I gotta get better. I gotta get better. I gotta get better. This, I gotta get better at. This I get better at. And so that's the mindset you have throughout the years. So then when you finally get done and you think about, like, okay, what happened in 2016, you know, week seven against, let's say, the Carolina Panthers, right? Like, you forget all those plays that. In all those games and stuff that you are a part of. And so anytime one of those. One of those games are on the tv, I gotta tune in.

[B]

Are you like, hey, that number 23 is pretty good?

[A]

You know, I could say that for sure. But there's also some plays where I'm like, oh, my God, he looks terrible.

[C]

By the way, I gotta tell you, we're at camp today and D. Alfred's wearing your number. Yeah, it's just. It's funny when I see 23.

[A]

Yeah, it's just.

[C]

We're looking for you. Yeah, we're looking for you on the field.

[A]

Yeah, D's a good dude. I met him at the. The charity softball game that. Greg's. Greg. I saw you guys there, too, so. Yeah, I heard nothing but good things about him. So, you know, I know d. Jack was 23 last year as well, so it is. It is. It is weird seeing. I mean, it's the same for me, though, because when I see any guy out there right now, there was a. There was a guy that was wearing it before then that I knew. Right? Just like in Green Bay, right? Anybody that's wearing a number in Green Bay right now, there's a guy that I knew that was wearing that number. So it gets a little weird, but I always remember myself as 23 for the Buffalo Bills and my whole family still. Even. Even a lot of my friends. Right. That. That and former teammates I was in Buffalo with still call me 23.

[C]

Right?

[A]

So it's like that's kind of a part of my identity now.

[D]

Well, there were so many times, too. You talk about, like, forgetting things and reflecting on your career, and that's what's so cool about you joining Us Weekly is to kind of relive some of that, because I feel like our job in the media, like, those are the good sound bites when you're having your All Pro season. It's like, Micah, do you know that you're playing at this high of level. And you're like, you guys are also laser focused. And it almost seems like we're asking a dismissive question because you guys are always like, well, you know, I'm just focused on next week.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Are you able to, like you said now to be like, damn, I was really good, like, now, like, now that the dust settles, even Iowa, like, do you think, like, that was a baller?

[A]

Yeah, Well, I mean, I was different. I just. I didn't know what I did, you know? You know how you're just young and dumb?

[D]

I have no idea what you're thinking.

[C]

He's still that way. What are you talking about?

[A]

Yeah, I was just trying to make it to NFL, but yeah. Yeah. Looking back now, like, on the. The NFL career and just thinking about the NFL, right? Like, yeah, what? I played in the NFL for that many years, like the National Football League, right? Like, I'm from fall story Ohio. Like, just like a city in the middle of nowhere. And to be playing the NFL for that, it's. It's. It's insane. But, yeah, we were locked in, man. You got. You got to be possessed. You got to be possessed. And it's. It's a sick mindset, you guys. It's a sick mindset that you got to have when you're, you know, like, I. I say this all the time. Like, week eight in the middle of the season in Buffalo. The snow's. You know, it's starting to get cold, and you got to go out there each and every Sunday and you gotta. You gotta fight. You gotta fight for what's yours, and you gotta. And it's a. It's a sick mindset, but you gotta have it to be at. To play at a high level and win football games. And I. I don't think the common person understands that. You know, I think a lot of get paid a lot of money to do that, don't get me wrong. But I don't think that. I don't think the. The. The common person understands that a random, you know, November 3rd day.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In Buffalo with the clouds, and everyone's tailgating, having fun and getting drunk, and you got to wake up and you got to be possessed. You got to be just batshit crazy to go out there. Crazy. It's wild, man.

[C]

So speaking of that camp's going on today. We're all at camp. It's like three fights. I don't remember. Did you get in any fights?

[A]

I mean, there's a few pushing matches and stuff like that. Like, nothing crazy. I. I To me, like, I'm not wasting my energy on fighting anybody. Like, that is. That's not. That's not what I do. I don't. I don't want any parts of that. I think there's a few, like, pushing fights and.

[C]

Yeah, just. Gee, it's amazing. Spencer Brown was in it. Alec Anderson was in it. Of course those guys were. And a coup. The rookies. Yeah, that rookie laid somebody out. Dalton Kincaid, and it was mayhem.

[A]

So there's. I mean, there's. This is that time of camp, right? Pats came on today.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Say the first day first.

[C]

Well, wait, okay.

[B]

Actually, we wanted your opinion on this yesterday.

[D]

Yesterday the Bills, Joe Brady, had them wear pads for the first half of practice, and then they took them off to do teams. And he was saying because the first day of pads, guys are always fixing them, and he didn't want that to be a part of it and have guys thinking about their shoulder pads and stuff like that. Have you ever heard of that?

[A]

So we used to do that. We used to do it a lot, like during the season, at the beginning of the. At the beginning of the season in training camp. I can't remember ever doing something like that. I mean, I see where. I see where he's coming from. I will say this. At the beginning of training camp, when you put on them pads, right? Like, you wake up that morning and you are like, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you're a rookie or if you're year 12, right? Like, it doesn't matter because you're like. Like, bullets are flying today. Like, you know, football. Football is here. All the training and stuff that we've done over the summer has been cute, taking all these Instagram videos and stuff like that now, but now this is football. So I see what he's saying. He' Joe's basically like, yeah, let's. Let's go through Indy, let's go through seven on seven. Let's go through the, through the motions of having the pads on, feeling them out, you know, getting our feet, getting our hands, getting our eyes, right when it comes to, like, you know, fitting up and stuff like that. But once we get to the team, period, let's not get anybody hurt. Let's just, first day, ease into it, and then today let's have brawls.

[C]

Well, today it was full pads and it was on today. I mean, that was the thing. And so a rookie takes out Kincaid and then it's mayhem.

[D]

Micah, it was a hit. That would have been a nice hit. On Sunday, and it was in camp, and as soon as he hit him, it was one of those moments we were joking around. He hit him and almost like, oh, I'm gonna. This is gonna cause a problem.

[B]

Like.

[D]

Like he almost. We were kind of laughing because you can't hit the guy and then be like, all right, let's go.

[C]

Like, he was just waiting to get tackled by the offense, is what it was.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, that happens. That happens. I mean, especially, you know, young guys, what we say, young and dumb, baby. You go out there playing fast and flying around, and you don't know it's dunk and K, and you just hit them and, you know, next thing you know, you got to defend yourself because you got Alec Anderson and Spencer Brown coming to beat you up.

[D]

So.

[A]

But hey, that's football, and it doesn't

[C]

go past the field. I mean, I'm sure sometimes a guy might say something, but, you know, it's. It's football, right? Even if a guy gets bad, it shouldn't, right?

[A]

It shouldn't go past. Past. Once you go into a locker room, it's all, like, laughing and. And stuff like that. Now, if somebody got, you know, handled pretty well, then, you know, you. You'll talk about it in the locker room and laugh. That night when you're watching film, they'll replay it, especially if it's on film. That was our rule. That. But they told the.

[D]

The.

[A]

The media guys, right, that are. That have the cameras and stuff, and there's the eye in the sky. Don't lie, right? They're all over the field like you now. You know, when I first got into the league, it was damn near vcr, right?

[B]

You.

[A]

You couldn't really. It was all pixelated and you couldn't really see. But now it's 4K. It's. It's 8K. And so you can see each and everything, cameras from all different angles. So we. Now we tell them, do not cut the tape. Like, don't cut it early. We're trying to see these fights, right, because we need this during training camp at night when we're all tired. We're all sitting here, we're all laughing. We need to see who won and all that type of stuff. So, yeah, it was pretty funny throughout the. Throughout the years how the. The tape got longer and longer after

[D]

fights would go on, because Alec Anderson was like, I love the fact that the rookies had some piss and vinegar, like an edge. Like, he laid the guy out, like, sent the message, and then there's a big scrum. It was probably 60 guys in on this. Everybody Elon's or ended up on the ground. Alec Anderson was like, yeah, I really appreciated that. And I got to hit him and choke him. And that was fun, like, and that kind of thing. But it was also the fact of DJ Moore is off to the side grittying. I can't imagine what that eye in this guy looked like because you have a scrum of 60 people and then DJ Moore is just gritty around the outside. It was so perfect. And it reminded me of Vaughn saying, I'm too old to fight. Bradley Chubb kind of said the same thing. Like, I'm the separator now at this point in my career goes, yeah, break it up. I used to get a lot of fights in college. He goes, now I'm the separator.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, there was. I would. That's how I was too. I wasn't gritty in, but I was on the outside. I was on the outside watching all these knuckleheads go at it. And, and it's rare. I mean, usually it's offensive defensive linemen that are, that are fighting.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, or the linebackers and, and running back, stuff like that, tight ends. But I mean, it's. I feel like when it's a receiver and a db, those get a little. Those get a little more testy.

[D]

Right.

[A]

Because it's, it's out in open space and there's not just like a ton of people around, so you got time to actually fight. And so. But yeah, that was.

[C]

You can do that. Hold me back a little bit. But it doesn't always work, right. Like somebody.

[D]

You and Diggs had some all time little chirping matches. You and Digs would go at it, right?

[A]

No, not, not really me, you know, maybe even now and then. But. But Diggs Digs like to push the buttons of all DBs, all defensive players, you know, And I think that's why, I think that's what made him such a great player. And it was just, you know, he just, he, he found, he found something within you to ignite you. And, and you knew that each and every day when you were competing against Diggs, you, you had to be on it because he was gonna, he was gonna talk some and if he caught a ball on you, he was gonna, he was gonna spike it, he was gonna kick it, he was gonna, you know, spin it, he was gonna do whatever he had to do. And the whole offense was gonna be cheering and Josh was going to be running up and doing all his damn handshakes and stuff like that and looking all cute. And so, you know, as a defensive player, I just didn't want to see them be successful against us, obviously.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And then you're right. Christian Benford, we were talking to him. He's like the f. The offense all day. And it's annoying. Right?

[A]

Okay, but who. When it's a. When it's a late January night. And who did you chanting?

[C]

Defense. Right.

[A]

Train horn comes on. Yeah, And. And it's third and it's third and eight. Who do you need? Okay, so remember this. Come training camp to start cheering us on because that's. That's. They do cheer for like five yard completions in training camp.

[B]

It doesn't get to you at all? No, I'm kidding. For you. Like, are you the type to initiate the smack talk or are you the one to respond? Like, how do you kind of play that out?

[A]

I'm gonna respond.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I'm respond. Yeah.

[B]

That's how I would be.

[A]

I don't really start it. I don't really start it. You know, there. I can. I can remember being few times where I just. I just had to say something in games, maybe just to guys that, you know, obviously, to make the NFL level, you're. You're a great football player, but just guys that kind of felt like they were. They were more than what they were. Right. And so you play against them, you watch them on film the whole season, you see kind of how their demeanor is, how they act, how they. You know, if they. If they catch a first down, how they celebrate after a first down, and if they've only had a few of them the whole season and they do it, you're like, get the hell out of here. Like, you're not even that type of thing, you know? So there was always. There was always a few of those, but for majority of the time, it was. If they were talking junk to me, then I would. I would have to say something back. And then I also had, you know, all my. All my guys on defense that were.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

That were looking out, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Taryn and Lionel May, you know, all those guys were like, no, we. We.

[C]

We're good.

[A]

We're not.

[C]

Milano would talk.

[D]

He got you there.

[A]

Yeah, listen, I don't got some to him. He does.

[C]

Really? He does.

[A]

He.

[B]

He doesn't speak to us.

[A]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. I love Lionel. That's my guy, man. He what. What he shows the whole world is. Is not, you know, necessarily the Lionel that we Know, and it, and it's cool because, you know, you kind of got to be in this inner circle to see and. And you know, I think that I wish, maybe I wish I was a little bit more like that.

[B]

Yeah. I got a question, like, going away to camp, what did you like and what were you, what were you not really a fan of in terms of camp? Like, what was that experience like?

[A]

I mean, it was cool because, you know, you're around the guys and, and everybody's just clowns, right? Like everyone. You guys see it all the time. Like you guys are sitting in front of us and guys are walking around just saying the stuff that we say, the stuff that we do. A bunch of little kids, right? Like that's all, that's all it is. So it was always fun, you know, in between meetings to be laughing and obviously Trudevius is, is one of a kind. So once you get to Davious next to, you know, Taryn and, and Saran and all those type of guys, you know, it just, it just comes natural for him. He just gets to going. So we just would laugh and laugh and laugh. So that was always fun. But staying in the dorm rooms, you know, when you got your, you know, I got my comfortable bed at the house and I invest in my, I invest in my nice pillows now after having neck surgery. So, you know, I always got to take my pillows on the road and stuff. But when I don't have my bed, you know, it's just. So I'm a prima donna, I guess. So maybe it's a little more of the bed situation versus anything else that is fair.

[B]

Would you get in on the settlers of Catan?

[A]

No, never did. Never did. I, I'm. I'm jealous because I want to learn it and I want to play. But Po Po said few years ago, he's like, man, I'm a teacher. We're going to get in, we're going to play, you know, we'll get the wives involved and it just never happened.

[B]

So.

[D]

Yeah, you were a big TV show guy, right? Weren't you like binging shows during.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I was watching TV shows as much as I could. Yeah, I was watching some shows and some movies and stuff like that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[D]

Like I said, you talked about this psycho mindset that you have to have. Welcome to the podcast.

[C]

Yeah, it's.

[D]

You don't even know the content brain that I have.

[B]

It's honestly scary.

[C]

It never genuinely scary.

[B]

Dance. Yeah, he just thinks in content. It's unbelievable to watch. He can't read, he can't spell, he

[C]

can change diapers and he can do content.

[D]

He's a real thing.

[B]

He can't properly quote anyone, but. Sorry. Sorry, Mike.

[A]

Hey, we'll work on that this year. We got a whole season, man.

[D]

Yeah, I hope you. Yes, I will be as calm as I can in the group text. That's what I will say.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

I will not be blowing up your phone, I promise.

[C]

That's it.

[B]

Micah, thank you for coming on. We're really excited for your weekly podcast. I know the fans are going to be as well, just for you. Like where can. I mean, people know where to follow you, but if you want to give a shout out to you, your brand, everything you're up to, like, feel free to right now.

[A]

No. Cool. I'm excited to be a part of this show. Yeah. You know, I'm not really big on social media, but every now and then I try to dabble and, and put some posts up with the family and stuff like that. So Micah, underscore Hyde on Instagram and yeah, I. Doing some, some businesses on the side with Hightail Mary and a few rental properties and are, you know, my, my non profit Imagine for you foundation, which I'm sure you guys are all aware of over the years, do a lot in western New York and, and stuff like that. So we're going to just be talking on this show, having a good time and you know, maybe hopefully every now and then those things will pop up that we can talk about and. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I said, I'm excited to be a part of this.

[C]

And the Iowa Hawkeyes flag football team.

[D]

Yeah, that's what we're gonna need.

[B]

Weekly updates.

[C]

Yeah. Let's go.

[A]

You guys are gonna get them. You guys are gonna get them. We're gonna play every. It's every Friday night. It's Friday. It's actually Drew Brees's league out here in San Diego.

[C]

Oh, you can.

[B]

What a drop.

[C]

Is he involved or it just has his name?

[A]

I think he, I think has his name attached to it.

[C]

Yeah. Head to head with him.

[A]

Somebody told me that. So I gotta find out some more information.

[C]

Awesome.

[D]

How old is the oldest now?

[A]

Six.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah, he'll be going into a first grade next week.

[D]

Isn't that crazy?

[B]

Wow. I can't believe they start school that early.

[C]

I guess I'm just the way time works.

[B]

Yeah, that is how time works.

[D]

I'm six three and almost two.

[A]

Six, almost five and at the end of the month and three months, so.

[B]

Wow.

[D]

We're just going to talk diapers, late night feeds.

[C]

I am four, two and a half and eight months. That's my three grandbabies, so there you go. Yeah. All girls. We got them going, so.

[B]

And I'm Jenna.

[A]

You get to hear about all the kids.

[C]

That's it.

[B]

Hey, I don't mind. All right, Micah, thank you so much for the time. We're looking forward to seeing you next week. Thank you.

[A]

All right. See you, Buffalo.

[D]

Plus.