This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
No, he doesn't have a Social Security number in single digits. No, he doesn't keep a jar full of butterscotch candies at home.
And no, Utah kicker Andy Phillips doesn't mind if you want to make another "old man" joke at his expense.
"There are times after a long conditioning session or a long lift, I think, 'Man, if I was 18, I'd be doing a lot better,' " he laughed. "But 27, that's just my prime."
The internet has recently picked on BYU starting quarterback Taysom Hill (26) for being old, but Phillips has him beat. He's the only player on Utah's roster born in the 1980s; runner-up Sunia Tauteoli, 25, is nearly two full years younger.
Phillips lives an older man's life with an older man's experiences: He's already left his skiing career behind. He went on a two-year LDS Church mission to Norway. He's been married for several years. He has a son, Max, who is about to turn 2 years old — and Megan Phillips is soon due to deliver their second son next month.
But like a wine or a painting, he's gained respect with his years. He was selected to ESPN's preseason All-American list on Monday, a sign of being both Utah's most prolific field goal kicker ever, as well as a three-time Lou Groza semifinalist.
Perhaps most telling of Phillips' maturity: He said it makes no difference.
"I learned that lesson from Tom [Hackett]," he said. "The last couple years, he's been on that list. Preseason accolades are just that: While it's great to be recognized, you have a season to play. That's the bottom line."
As a senior, Phillips finds himself in a different position. He's without Hackett, one of his best friends, and adjusting to a new holder in Mitch Wishnowsky. He's working on his graduate degree. After serving two years as a special teams captain, there was a changing of the guard this year: Safety Jason Thompson was elected.
And yet, that hasn't stopped his teammates from going to him for advice. Junior tackle Garett Bolles said Phillips has been one of his closest confidants since Bolles learned his own wife was pregnant. Phillips tweeted public support of senior receiver Cory Butler-Byrd after his recent criminal charges: "We all make mistakes, can't wait to see how you bounce back!"
Senior guard Isaac Asiata said Phillips accompanied him this summer when he went to the Salt Lake Temple for the first time in four years.
"He's been there for me in times when I thought nobody else was," Asiata said. "That guy is a captain to me. That guy is Utah football. I don't think anyone cares more about the team than Andy does."
But Phillips does care about a great many other things besides football — particularly the NCAA. Among the Utes, no one is more critical of what he sees as a hypocritical structure. As a skier, his likeness was a potential source of income. As a football player, Phillips is bothered by the idea that the athletes don't get the same opportunities.
Last year, Phillips tweeted directly to the NCAA, "Dear @NCAA My teammates and I would also like to profit from our hard work and support our families," and he hasn't backed down — tweeting to the NCAA since with additional criticism.
While he said he's learned to temper his voice, he isn't about to clam up. Much of his stipend goes to paying for wipes, diapers, doctor's visits and more for his son. With another on the way, it's often on his mind.
"We don't really get a crash course on how our likeness is used, and how we don't benefit from that," he said. "I might be more frustrated than the next guy who isn't worried about paying for a wife and kids."
But don't picture Phillips as standing around with his palm sticking out: He spent four months this summer interning with Full Circle Group, a consulting firm.
Why come back at all? Phillips said it made sense to get his master's degree in business, help the Utes win, and play another guaranteed year of football.
"NFL scouts told me age doesn't really matter," he said. "They told me why don't I go out and show I can be as consistent as I've been over the last three years."
It's a nice thought: At least someone out there is telling Phillips that being old isn't a bad thing.
Twitter: @kylegoon