All eyes on Bergen
11/5/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
“All of the preseason accolades are great, but it just shows me that I can perform and that I will have to continue to work hard in order to perform in the future,” says the If Bergen is unsure of how to handle all of the attention he’s getting, both on and off the field, he need look no further than right up to the press box for some advice. That’s where former Lehigh All-Americans Marty Horn ’86 and Kim McQuilken ’74 can be found during Mountain Hawk games providing commentary on radio and television, respectively. The pair of former NFL quarterbacks know a thing or two about having pressure placed squarely upon them and how to deal with it. “It is definitely in the back of your mind, all of the attention,” explained Horn, who was Lehigh’s signal caller during the mid-80’s and played for the New York Jets professionally. “It’s just important to remember not to get caught up in it. I just went into every game thinking of ways to help the team and focused on getting better every week.” McQuilken, who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins, liked having the pressure on him and he used it to up his game. “I thought it was a lot of fun, if you’re up to the challenge, then it can be a lot of fun to be out there. I loved the attention, I wanted to be the man and I wanted the ball in my hands.” McQuilken continues, “In our second game of my senior season, we played Another former Lehigh grid iron star, Phil Stambaugh ’00, has seen both sides of the professional dream. He has made it on several NFL rosters, but has also felt the heartbreak of being let go. “I have been with six teams in the NFL, two teams in Stambaugh adds, “What a feeling it was for me to make the ( Lehigh Head Coach Pete Lembo, serves as This football IQ that Lembo is talking about came to Horn and McQuilken say that “Adam has those soft hands that not many big guys have, yet he is also a bruising blocker,” says McQuilken. “He enjoys winning, which he has learned to do at Lehigh, and his leadership skills have also improved. Adam seems like a ‘lead by example’ type of guy; he’ll show it through his actions more than with his mouth.” “I think Adam will handle all of this hoopla just fine,” explains McQuilken. “If he takes the season play by play, quarter by quarter, continues to work hard everyday and keeps up his tremendous work ethic, the sky is the limit.” Horn agrees, “Adam just has to continue to do what he’s been doing and not worry about all of the outside stuff. There are no guarantees in pro football, but if he continues to improve, then he may just be the perfect fit for a professional team come next season.”
