Football Dreams

Since a kid, I have loved football. Behind my house was a big field, almost 100 yards long. I loved to go out back with my friend from down the street and play catch or pretend we were in a real game. I used to own an imitation Tampa Bay Bucaneers helmet (don't ask me why it wasn't a Browns helmet) and shoulder pads. My friend had a set too (don't remember the team). They didn't have real padding in them (the helmet only had thin foam) but we acted as if it were real. We would play simulated games where the Browns always won.

I played real football starting in 7th grade and loved it. My jersey number was 44 and I played tight end and monster back. I think I played mostly because I was my brother's brother, but I didn't care. I only played through 10th grade. I remember getting knocked out of the game in 10th grade by two pulling guards from St. Ignatius (their Juniors played JV on Saturday if they didn't play varsity Friday night). It wasn't a serious injury, I just had my bell rung. But looking back on it, that was probably the beginning of the end. I played 6 more games and decided to hang it up when I didn't even get to play our rivals across town because, as the coach said ... you'll get to play next year but he is too small to play varsity ... by the way, we lost the game ... against our rival ... the biggest game of our season ... what kind of excuse is that?

Now I just watch football ... as much as I can/allowed. I love the game. But as I sit and watch Brett Farve and Kurt Warner play, I wonder "Could I have played at this age?" These are two guys my age. I couldn't take a hit when I was 15. How do these guys take it at 40+? Every year the game seems to get rougher. I've seen some pretty nasty injuries over the years - like Joe Theisman - and there was another one tonight. As I watch the Cardinals & Vikings, a Viking linebaker just bent his knee in a way that isn't supposed to be possible ... Ouch! ...

I think I just stick to watching the games. It is definitely more safer for me!