Colts’ Hayden doesn’t Tweet, but likes Mariah
Cornerback dishes on last Halloween costume, life without Dungy and more
 | Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden intercepts a pass during Super Bowl XLI in 2007. |
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Kelvin Hayden doesn’t just play a mean defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts. He also listens to Mariah Carey before games, went trick-or-treating as a senior in high school and used a Cadillac commercial as motivation the night before he scored a touchdown in Super Bowl 41.
In anticipation of Indy’s AFC South showdown with the Titans on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, we got irrelevant with the fifth-year DB.
Q: You were a wide receiver all the way up until your senior year at the University of Illinois. How hard was that switch to defense?
A: Well, at times the offensive player has to think like a defensive player and the defensive player has to think like an offensive player. So when I was playing wide receiver, I always thought, ‘How would it be to play defensive back?’ I understood the concepts so it was not difficult but a very good challenge.
Q: When the Colts were a little lean at receiver, did you ever go up and tap your coach Jim Caldwell on the shoulder and offer your services?
A: That thought always crosses my mind but I don’t think I’ve got the guts to.
Q: Have you adjusted to looking over at the sidelines and not seeing Tony Dungy there?
A: It’s still kind of funny, but at the same time, you take it for what it is. When mini-camp and OTAs and all those things came along, it just didn’t feel the same. It just felt like things were a little different and of course, they were. Coach Caldwell made his tweaks and adjustments so it is similar but not the same. As a team we want to just keep the feeling of winning around here. Keeping that going is the most important thing.
Q: Switching gears, what was the best Halloween costume you had as a kid?
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A: Walter Payton. I had the little Chicago Bears helmet on and the shoulder pads. As a kid you always want to be your hero and back in Chicago, Walter Payton was an icon. I used my helmet as my trick or treat bag. It’s great growing up with a dream of playing in the NFL and then to have it come true. It’s hard to describe. 
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Q: When was the last time you trick or treated?
A: Last time I went was my senior year of high school. We used to have to walk about four blocks to our practice field. On the way back from practice on Halloween, the guys came up with the idea to trick or treat. So we started ringing doorbells and hanging our helmets out there. I think we surprised a lot of people when they saw about 30 people coming up to their door.
Q: Are there any songs on your Ipod you hope nobody knows you listen to?
A: Mariah Carey. I usually listen to Mariah Carey and nobody knows that. See, I usually get to the game like three, three-and-a half hours before game time. You don’t want to listen to the music that’s gonna get you all pumped and juiced that early. So I listen to music that will make me chill, calm and relaxed. But I don t want anybody to know that I’ll be listening to Mariah Carey before the games.
Q: What did scoring a touchdown in Super Bowl 41 mean to you?
A: It meant to me that patience pays off. Even though you’re not a starter, you have to prepare as if you are a starter and your number will be called. I kept that in mind. The night before the game there was a Cadillac commercial. And Tiki Barber was on there talking about how when he was in college, the guy in front of him went down with an injury and (Barber) never looked back after that. He talked about how, when opportunity presents itself, you have to be ready. I think the Super Bowl catch and return was like that in a way. All week, I knew (starting corner) Nick Harper was hurt and he did play, but I had to prepare as if he wouldn’t. Then when he went down during the game, I was ready to go.
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Q: Name something that people are into that you just don’t get. 
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A: Twitter. I don’t understand it. Is it keeping people updated about what you’re doing the whole day? I don’t think people need to know what I’m doing all day. I’m a calm laidback guy and for somebody to actually want to know what I’m doing every single step, that’s not me.
Q: Do you listen to sports talk radio?
A: No. I like the shows like NFL Live and things like that. Those guys who understand what we go through as players during the week and explain their experiences are interesting. I’m a fan of that but sports talk radio, I don’t really listen to that.
Q: The Colts are 4-0 and seem to be flying under radar. Good thing or bad thing?
A: We just take it week by week. We’re not looking past anybody. We’re really keeping things the same. If we’re under the radar, so be it. I don’t care whether we’re the hunted or the huntee. We’ll just continue to do what we do.
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