School: Marian Catholic, 1990.
Position: Linebacker.
Team: Atlanta Falcons.
The 1989 Tribune honorable-mention All-State linebacker went on to become the fifth all-time leading tackler at Illinois with 401, eclipsing Dick Butkus’ mark of 374. Holecek was a second-team All-Big Ten selection after his senior season, following first-team honors in 1993. The 6-foot-2-inch, 242-pounder was drafted in the fifth round by Buffalo in 1995 and emerged as a defensive stalwart for the Bills, notching 414 tackles from 1998-2000. In his eighth NFL season, Holecek is the second-leading tackler on a Falcons team that had won four straight before fighting Pittsburgh to a 34-34 tie last week.
Quarterback Kurt Kittner, safety Henry Jones and yourself are all Illinois graduates on the Falcons roster. What do you think of the Illini’s disappointing season?
“We’re kind of looking the other way. Maybe it’s just a rebuilding year.”
What opponent do you dread facing on Sundays?
“Any Tony Gonzalez-type tight end. I don’t like to chase around a fast tight end. That’s a pain.”
What is your most memorable NFL moment?
“Intercepting and sacking Dan Marino on Monday night in 1999 at Miami. The fourth-quarter interception [the first of his career] sealed the win and I was the player of the game.”
From facing him in practice, what’s your take on Michael Vick?
“He’s absolutely, ridiculously talented. He has such a gun that he sometimes throws too hard. And hopefully he doesn’t get hurt when he runs–he needs to learn how to slide. But he’s just 22 years old, so he’ll learn to rein in his talents.”
