Interview: Adrian Wilson Talks Johnny Cash, Kevin Kolb, and His Streetwear Store

The Pro Bowl safety talks Young Money and explosive box jumps.

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Complex Original

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Adrian Wilson is a beast. The Arizona Cardinals strong safety has been rocking wide receivers to sleep for 10 years now, and he’s looking to make his fifth Pro Bowl this year. As the longest tenured player in the Valley of the Sun, Adrian has been with the Cardinals through thick and thin. With a new QB in Kevin Kolb and a returning superstar in Larry Fitzgerald, the Cards will be in the thick of the hunt in the wide open NFC West.

We caught up with Wilson (@adrian_wilson24) to talk about their new QB, fashion, jumping 66-inch hurdles, and plenty more. 
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What’s your favorite song at the moment?

Adrian Wilson: I’m Young Money ‘till I die, I listen to them all day. I listen to Jay and Kanye a lot. But, my two song I bump before I go out are Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” and Johnny Cash’s “Ain’t No Grave.”

What are your favorite sneakers to wear?

Adrian Wilson: Other than Nikes, because I am a Nike athlete? [Laughs.] I’m going to probably go with the Gourmet Quadici duck boot, those are pretty dope.

Current video game obsession?

Adrian Wilson: I play COD, that new NCAA, Madden and NBA 2K.

Coveted tech product?

Adrian Wilson: I love my iPad, my iPhone, and basically anything I can play a video game on because we’re on the road all the damn time. I bring my PS3 and Xbox if I’m able to.

What were going to do if there had been a lockout?

Adrian Wilson: I probably would’ve just been working out or hanging by my sneaker store, High Point. I’m pretty sure it would’ve got boring after awhile.

How long have you owned High Point Shoes?

Adrian Wilson: We have our four-year anniversary in November.

Is the store just a business, or are you really into kicks and streetwear?

Adrian Wilson: Nah man, that’s who I am. I try to show who I am outside of playing football. I’m pretty much a sneakerhead and I love fashion. I have my own clothing line as well.

What’s the name of it?

Adrian Wilson: It’s called Dearly Departed. I put it together with a couple guys that worked in my store 2 or 3 years ago. Creatively, I think those guys are very talented. The transition they’ve made from when they first brought the idea to table is incredible.

How would you describe your style? What brands do you rock?

Adrian Wilson: I’m a streetwear kind of guy, man. I rock Jean Shop Jeans; those are my favorites right there. Word, those jeans, a nice BBC shirt, and some dope kicks.

Talk about some of the new additions.

Adrian Wilson: I think we signed like 51 players in two days. Those guys are going to help us out. We got ourselves a QB in Kevin Kolb, which was the No. 1 priority for us; that made Larry [Fitzgerald] very happy.  We stepped our defense up by drafting CB Patrick Peterson and snatching up a couple LBs. Overall, man, we added more talent to what we already had.

You guys winning the NFC West?

Adrian Wilson: Oh, no question about that. That’s our main goal every year and the way to get back to the Super Bowl is win our division.

What’s the biggest difference between Sun Devil Stadium and the University of Phoenix Stadium?

Adrian Wilson: It’s filled up with people. [Laughs.] And it’s indoors so people can come out and be comfortable and not have to sit out in 110 degree weather in September.

Tell us about your workout regiment. Can you still jump over that 66-inch hurdle?

Adrian Wilson: We usually start going through the explosive stage of the work out like 2 months into training. We do explosive box jumps, squats, power clean, stuff like that.

When’s the sequel?

Adrian Wilson:[Laughs.] I actually jumped over a 69-inch hurdle this off-season. I’m sure that’ll be on my website sooner or later.

How worried are you about your recent injury?

Adrian Wilson: Not worried at all. I’ll most likely miss the preseason, but it’s just a minor bicep tear. They make it sound horrible, but it’s not that big of a deal. I'll be ready on September 11th.

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