Flashback: Saints marched to 10-0 record with Flick at quarterback

Player: Tom Flick, Interlake, Class of 1976.

Sports: Football, basketball.

High-school rewind: Threw for 2,502 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 60 percent of his passes during his junior and senior seasons. Led Saints to a 10-0 record, a KingCo championship and No. 3 state ranking in the United Press International poll in 1974.

After high school: Attended Washington (1976-80), quarterbacking the Huskies to the 1981 Rose Bowl against Michigan. Earned team's most valuable player award, and honorable mention All-American status as a senior. Ranks 11th on UW's all-time passing list with 3,510 yards and 25 touchdowns. Picked by Washington Redskins in fourth round of 1981 NFL draft. Played for five teams and seven coaches in seven seasons with Washington, New England, Cleveland, San Diego and New York Jets.

After athletics: Founded Tom Flick Communications (www.tomflick.com) in Redmond, where he works with two partners as a motivational speaker and training consultant. "We grow the people side of business," said Flick, who counts AT&T, Boeing and Microsoft as clients. "I love helping people to grow, and overcome and meet challenges."

Personal: Flick, 46, has been married to his high-school sweetheart, Molly, for 19 years. They have two children, Joe, 15, and Jenny, 12.

Fast forward: Interlake, under coach Luke Huard, finished 6-4 this year to post its first winning football season since 1994. Flick said he watched the Saints' resurgence from afar.

"I met Luke when he was in junior high," Flick said. "It has been neat to see him take over."

More than a decade removed from his playing days, Flick said he has found a greater meaning in his new career helping and motivating others.

"I miss the team aspect (of football) a little bit, but I'm more deeply fulfilled doing this than playing sports," he said. "The honest answer is that I feel called to do it."

Matt Peterson, Seattle Times