Topic: Coming out of retirement.
Hello all,
I am pleased to announce that for the first time since 1999, I will be playing college football again. I played a couple years at St.Norbert College in DePere WI where the Packers stay for their training camp. I'm no longer a 19 year old... in fact I'm 33. I'm going to Oakland University as a PhD student and a full-time employee. I'm lifting and agility training 3 mornings a week, and watching more of what I eat. At my age, I will have to work twice as hard as everyone else, but it will be worth it.
Our college never had football, but is starting a football club this year. It's not the NCAA, but the NCFA (club football assoc). We'll be playing UM-Flint, Ohio State's club team, and Miami (OH)'s club team etc. in the Great Lakes Conference. Being a part of this is helping write college history. We will be playing on Miami's varsity field and everything.
I'm also the official "advisor" for the team. I got to help design the jersey, helmet, and find a head coach. I have a lot of control as to what goes on and it's a real benefit that I can even play. Leadership and example off the field is also extremely valuable to a young team. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
So, of course, my mother is afraid I'm going to kill myself playing with 18-22 year olds. My friends think it will be impossible for me to get back into what we like to call "football shape." For me, that means running 40 yards in less than 4.7 seconds. The way I see it, you only live once... and you rarely get second chances like this. I'd be stupid not to do this, and live with regret.
As a previous resident of the greater Green Bay area, most Packer fans are still pretty salty about Brett Favre going and playing elsewhere after his so-called retirement. I never faulted him for this because he was told "he could not play" by GB and he wanted to prove them wrong. So now I can say, coming out retirement isn't a bad thing, and having something to prove is a great driving force. I believe I can still play. Maybe not at a high level, but at a level that can help my team win.
Our campus is now buzzing about football. We have never had it, and everyone wants it to be huge. The Silverdome is right down the street from us, but they are renovating their roof. We might try making that our home field next year.
Wish me luck!
-Nic
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