NIU free safety Lionel Hickenbottom was surprised when he found out he was one of four players chosen to captain the NIU football team.

Off the field, the senior is a calm, quiet guy that might not seem like the leader type.

On the field, though, it’s a different story, said fellow safety Ray Smith.

“He can get vocal, but he leads by example a lot, too,” Smith said. “He fits the captain role pretty good. If he sees something wrong with the defense, he’s going to let you know.”

Hickenbottom, a Chicago Robeson graduate, was also a captain his senior year in high school.

“I was shocked when I found out,” said Hickenbottom of being named a squad captain for NIU. “I know I fit the title, though.”

Through five games this season, Hickenbottom, or “Boogie” named for his moves on the dance floor, is third on the team with 43 tackles. That total is the second highest for a free safety in the MAC.

“He’s a little more bubbly and outgoing,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “He’s the fun-lover of the group. He talks some but he likes to have fun. He plays football because it’s fun for him.”

The two-faced Hickenbottom admits he is one to trash talk on the field, but said he doesn’t truly know how effective it is.

“That’s how I approach the game, that’s how I play,” Hickenbottom said. “When I step on the field I’m a totally different person.

“Only a weak player lets that kind of stuff get to him. If I can break him down by getting into his head, that’s good for me.”