University of Delaware Athletics
Nichols Takes The National Stage At East-West Shrine Game
1/19/2018 5:06:00 PM | Football
The streets of Chester, Pa., aren't the easiest place to grow up. On the outskirts of Philadelphia, Chester's crime rate and drug population make it a difficult environment to raise a child.
That's where Bilal Nichols' story began. Running around the streets of Chester under the supervision of his grandparents, Adova and Dolores Bolton, Nichols quickly found a home in the the athletic community, starring in both basketball and football.
“It's crazy to think about where my story started and now I'm sitting in meetings with NFL scouts and having the opportunity to play in front of a national audience. It's really humbling for me,” Nichols said.
The opportunity that Nichols is talking about is the East West Shrine Game, which is being played in St. Petersburg, Fla. this weekend at Tropicana Field. It will be shown live on the NFL Network.
“I've tried to soak it in as much as possible. To have the chance to play against so many talented players and compete against some of the top collegiate players in the country, I'm incredibly grateful,” Nichols said.
Nichols' week began last Saturday with his arrival in Florida and getting situated at the hotel. Sunday brought some team meetings and a visit to the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Petersburg, where the players met and spent time with the patients.
“You quickly realize how lucky you are when you spend time with those kids. The game of football seems pretty small when you are seeing some of the things that those kids are fighting against every single day. It's pretty humbling,” Nichols added.
The rest of Nichols' week has been jam-packed, starting at 7 a.m. and usually not ending until close to 10 p.m. In between, he's been in practices, drill sessions, workouts, meetings with coaches and interviews with NFL organizations and scouts.
Nichols and his defensive linemates have spent the week being coached by Marcus Lewis, the son of Marvin Lewis, longtime head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.
“It's been a pretty busy week, but it's been awesome to have the chance to compete against these guys and really showcase my abilities in front of so many scouts,” Nichols said.
And one thing Nichols has been sure to do all week? Rep the Blue and Gold.
“Every place I go, I'm wearing my Delaware gear and talking about Delaware. I want everyone to know that the 302 has the talent. I want people to know about Delaware football and the tradition that we have. I'm proud to be a Blue Hen,” Nichols stated.
