Still basking in the glow of being only the third African-American artist to win the GRAMMY for Best Country Solo performance (joining Charley Pride and The Pointer Sisters) for his version of Bob Dylan and Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," Rucker recently took time out of his busy touring schedule to chat up Radio.com about his lifelong love of sports, specifically football.

"There are two kinds of seasons for me: football season and waiting for football season," the Charleston, South Carolina native chuckled during the exclusive interview. "My favorite teams are the [South Carolina] Gamecocks and the Miami Dolphins. I love it."

One of Rucker's favorite sports-related memories was in 1995 when Hootie & the Blowfish was tapped to perform the National Anthem during a Monday Night Football game at his beloved Dolphins' Sun Life Stadium.

"[Dolphins quarterback] Dan Marino took the jersey off of his back and had it framed for me," the singer said of that fateful evening. "It has dirt on it and everything. He sent over a game ball and a great letter. That's my most prized item in my sports memorabilia collection."

Rucker's love for the Dolphins is well documented, going as far back as Hootie & the Blowfish's 1995 hit "Only Wanna Be with You," which features the line, "the Dolphins make me cry." The Sports Center-themed music video even features a cameo from Marino - who Rucker calls his favorite athlete of all time - tossing passes his way.