Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner, and Anquan Boldin autographed photos displayed for years in Isaiah Hodgins’ bedroom.
Hodgins’ father, James, asked his NFL buddies to sign stuff for his 7-year-old son, a Madden video-game aficionado who was “by far one of the worst players on his team.” It was one of the finest gifts James received as a result. In 2006, after James Hodgins departed the Cardinals for the Jets, Leon Washington occasionally joined the family for Chinese food at their Point Lookout rental property, and Jericho Cotchery and Brad Smith invited Isaiah to bible study.
Imagine how bizarre Isaiah, now 24 years old, must feel as the Giants’ improbable No. 1 receiver heading into Saturday night’s NFC divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I never look past it,” Isaiah remarked. “I knew I was capable of this, but just a few months ago I was cut from a squad, and now I’m in the second round of the playoffs. Occasionally, I am overcome with the sentiment, “Man, I am so fortunate to be here, and I am so grateful.” I simply try to remind myself of this daily.”
By the age of 8, Isaiah had labored to become the finest player on his youth team, and he never ceased to improve.
James told The Post that Isaiah had an aptitude for receiving instruction. “When he sets his mind to something, he cannot be stopped. It was incredible to witness how quickly he could flip the switch and unleash his inner competitor.”
James, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Rams during his seven-year career, is however aware of the harsh reality of the professional game.
James remarked, “I’ve always known that Isaiah had this kind of potential, but a lot of guys never got their chance to prove it.” “Injuries take precedence, or they are called a ‘practice squad man,’ and that is all they ever become. Some men hope that it will occur and dream about it, but they do not put in the necessary effort. Isaiah ensured that, when the time came, he would be in a position to assume leadership.”
After playing in three games during his first two and a half seasons with the Bills, Isaiah was released on November 1. The “heartbreaking” news was received by his father, who yearned for a better fit.
The Giants took Isaiah off waivers since their receiving corps was destroyed and he was already familiar with head coach Brian Daboll’s offensive scheme from his time with Buffalo. As Bills deputy general manager, Joe Schoen scouted Isaiah in person and advocated to use a sixth-round draft pick on him in 2020. The insider knowledge paid off when Hodgins capitalized on the fresh opportunity, resulting in eight receptions for 105 yards and his fifth touchdown reception in six games during their wild-card victory at Minnesota last week.
Former fullback James scored four touchdowns in his career, including two for the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams from 1999 to 2001. The receiver exercises that coach Mike Martz taught then — “you overemphasize staring at the ball,” James said — were passed down to Isaiah, which is a major reason why he has not dropped a pass on 48 targets.
James smiled at the mention of their touchdown totals and said, “I was doing well for a while, but in one half-season he passed me.”
Thomas Miller, age 9, was imprinted by Isaiah’s weekly playmaking, which established a full circle back to the photograph on Isaiah’s wall.
Miller, another passionate Madden player, resides in Eagles territory, but has adopted his mother’s Giants devotion because she was born in Staten Island. Cassandra and Thomas watch the games together each week, and for Christmas she gave him tickets to his first NFL game (Giants-Eagles in Philadelphia on January 9). The placard he held in front of the visitor’s bench had three items: Meet Saquon Barkley and Hodgins and receive a high-five and an autograph from a player.
Soon after Cassandra’s tweet praising kicker Graham Gano for giving her son a Giants hat and a wave, Hodgins texted her a direct message apologizing for missing the young fan and requesting his address. This week, when a box of autographed gloves and shirt from Hodgins’ locker arrived, Thomas sobbed happy tears.
Cassandra told The Post, “I want everyone to know what an enormous impact this had on my son, and I want him to know that every athlete began as a child with a dream and a passion for the game.” “This reveals a great deal about Isaiah and the Giants organization. They have created a lifelong fan. My youngster will never forget his first sporting event. After last week’s performance, our son could not have chosen a better favorite player. In addition, a good person.”
James was moved to tears upon learning that his son “remembers what it was like to be a 9-year-old child with a hero.” He and his wife will see Isaiah in person for the first time since his star took off on Saturday, recalling the reasoning behind his decision to temporarily relocate his family to Long Island during the Jets’ 2006 playoff run.
James remarked, “What’s the point of making the playoffs and being successful at what you do if you don’t have the people you love to share it with?”
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