PiquaFootball.com: What is your greatest memory about playing for Piqua?
Finkes: Beating Troy (20-7) in the 1992 Regional Final game at Welcome Stadium.

PiquaFootball.com: What is your least favorite memory while playing for Piqua?
Finkes: Losing to Cincinnati St. Xavier (30-7) in the State Semifinal game in 1992.

PiquaFootball.com: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Piqua High School?
Finkes: I appreciate all that this community has done for me and the support they have given. So I feel very honored that they would consider me worthy enough to be in the Hall of Fame.

PiquaFootball.com: What made you choose Ohio State?
Finkes: I chose OSU because of the players and the proximity to my family.

PiquaFootball.com: What schools did you choose Ohio State over?
Finkes: I chose OSU over Michigan and Notre Dame.

PiquaFootball.com: What does it feel like walking out of the tunnel at Ohio Stadium?
Finkes: The first time it is so surreal and scary and exhilarating. Every time after that it is indescribable.

PiquaFootball.com: What is your favorite playing moment at The Ohio State University?
Finkes: Watching the clock hit zero in the Rose Bowl.

PiquaFootball.com: What is your least favorite playing moment at The Ohio State University?
Finkes: Losing to Michigan in 1996.

PiquaFootball.com: A lot of Buckeye fans remember your Touchdown against Indiana to clinch a spot in the Rose Bowl. Can you take us through the play and describe what was going through your mind during and after the play?
Finkes: Tie game (10-10) in the 4th quarter and Indiana was driving on the 40. It was a pass play and I pressured the quarterback out of the pocket. I lost sight of him when he scrambled to the other side of the field and I took an angle to get to where I though he might be. When I came around a pile of people, he was there and about to go down. Andy wrapped him up and as he was going down, the balled popped out. I picked it up and started running. It seemed to take forever.

PiquaFootball.com: How exciting was it to get drafted into the NFL?
Finkes: It was like living in a dream, I couldn't believe it actually happened.

PiquaFootball.com: How different is the game from High School to College to the NFL?
Finkes: The jump from high school to college was huge. You go from being a dominant player to fighting for your life. The difference from OSU to the NFL wasn't as dramatic, probably because there were so many players that I practiced against everyday who went on to star in the NFL.

PiquaFootball.com: What teams have you played on?
Finkes: High school 1990-1992; OSU 1993-1996; New York Jets 1997-1998; Scottish Claymores 1998-1999; Washington Redskins 1999; Jacksonville Jaguars 2000.

PiquaFootball.com: What was the best team you played on (during entire career)?
Finkes: 1996 OSU (not the team with the most talent I played on but we all played our butt off for each other.)

PiquaFootball.com: What awards did you win during your career?
Finkes: 1st team all league 1991-1992; 1st team S.W. District 1991-1992; S.W. District lineman of the year 1992; 1st team All-State 1992; USA Today All American 1992; Blue Chip All-American 1992; 1st Team AP Freshman All-American 1993; 1st Team All Big Ten 1994,95,96; OSU Defensive lineman of the year 1994, 96; OSU Defensive MVP 1996; Citrus Bowl MVP 1994,95; 3rd Team All-American 1994; 1st team All-American 1996.

PiquaFootball.com: If you could go back and change one football moment during your life, what would it be and why?
Finkes: I would have loved to win a state or national championship or a Super Bowl, but I always gave my best effort, so I have no regrets and would not change anything.

PiquaFootball.com: Describe your greatest football moment.
Finkes: I know a lot of people won't consider it great but the moments that were great to me and that I still remember and miss were the times with the friends I made on the practice field. During the season, you spend so much time with your teammates that they become family. People will come up to me and tell me about plays they watched and most of the time I can't even remember them, but I remember so many times and conversations I had with my friends. To me, that is the real reward of football

PiquaFootball.com: What advice would you give to a young player today?
Finkes: Never take a play off.

PiquaFootball.com: Do you have any future football plans (coaching, etc.)?
Finkes: You never know....

Interview conducted by Jesse Swafford

Jesse Swafford
PiquaFootball.com