It is the first Pod of 2019! Brady sits in on this one solo, but it is one of the biggest episodes yet!
Super Bowl LIII is set for kick off in Atlanta on Sunday with the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots.
It is the Patriots ninth Super Bowl appearance in 19 seasons. We caught up with a local legend who was in Foxboro when this run began.
Mike Compton graduated from Richlands High School having played under Bruce Evans and Billy Haun during his time with the Blue Tornado from 84-87. Following high school, Compton began his journey in Morgantown where he played under Don Nehlen at West Virginia University. During his time with the Mountaineers, Compton was a three-year starter at center and was named a consensus All-American. In 2005, Compton was named to the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Detroit Lions selected Compton in the third round (68th pick) in the 1993 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6 offensive lineman spent the first eight year of his career in Detroit. His time in Detroit included blocking for Barry Sanders during his 2,053-yard rushing campaign in 1997. Compton signed with the New England Patriots in 2001 to begin a three-year stint in Foxboro. Compton started all 40 games he appeared in in New England. The Richlands, Va. native was a member of the Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII championship teams. The West Virginia product wrapped up his 12-year NFL career in the sunshine state with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005.
Since his playing days have ceased, Compton has spent time on the coaching staffs at Tazewell High School, Patrick Henry(GS) High School, Bluefield College, Fairmont State University and Concord University. The 48-year-old is currently the offensive line coach at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
We thank Mike very much for his time! We hope you enjoy hearing about Mike’s career, his experiences with Brady and Belichick and much, much more!
As always, follow us! @CoalfieldSports, @Ryan4VT and @JBHess66.
I am a graduate of Richlands High School—class of 2014. In May 2018, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Journalism and History with a minor in war and Society from Virginia Tech.
My passions in life are numerous. We don’t have all day. This is not the place to divulge into Hokie Football, so I will shed some light on one of my other favorites.
I was born and raised in the coalfields of southwest Virginia—Richlands to be exact. I remember the first time I ever went to a high school football game (Richlands-Tazewell ’02). Since then, a passion has grown that is stronger than the current in the Clinch River. As a football player in this region, I was able to witness the passion oozing out of the hills firsthand. It was something that when I began college, people had a hard time believing the spectacle that is high school football in the coalfields. Luckily, I was able to go 42-8 in between the white lines on Fridays and Saturdays from 2010-2013. I look forward to having another platform to tell you my stories, your stories and their stories. Here’s to the good times and hoping I don’t leave you like I did Coach Greg Mance numerous times—by saying, “Gosh Durn It!”
Let’s talk, SWVA sports, Hokies, history or maybe even barbecue.
