“They’re all just, children.”
That’s the first thing I thought when the Austin Copperheads opened training camp for the 26th season of the ISFL. As I enter my 12th season of professional football, I can’t help but to reflect. Gone are the long locks I was rocking when I won Ultimus MVP in Season 20. My usual cleanshaven face now has a nice beard, but that beard is littered with “salt and pepper” hairs. My brain is as sharp as ever, but my body isn’t quite bouncing back the way it used to. My endurance is lower. I have to work harder than ever to keep up my arm and my throwing accuracy. My agility is all but gone at this point. You won’t see me running past the OCO defense anymore, that’s for sure. My teammates are all kids that played on the playground thinking of being ME someday. We have a highly talented team that’s only going to get better and better. The problem is that I won’t be there to enjoy the payoff. I have a great offense around me. Watts is a terror at running back. Vequain is an amazing young addition to Videl-San and Jeeta. I just have to get them the ball as best as I can. But they’re not at their prime yet. And sadly, I’m way past it. This is probably it for me. My one last shot at glory. There’s a bunch of new, young, eager faces in Austin, and it’s up to this grizzled old man that’s losing his battle with Father Time to take them places this season. No pressure or anything. We got this. (276)
That’s the first thing I thought when the Austin Copperheads opened training camp for the 26th season of the ISFL. As I enter my 12th season of professional football, I can’t help but to reflect. Gone are the long locks I was rocking when I won Ultimus MVP in Season 20. My usual cleanshaven face now has a nice beard, but that beard is littered with “salt and pepper” hairs. My brain is as sharp as ever, but my body isn’t quite bouncing back the way it used to. My endurance is lower. I have to work harder than ever to keep up my arm and my throwing accuracy. My agility is all but gone at this point. You won’t see me running past the OCO defense anymore, that’s for sure. My teammates are all kids that played on the playground thinking of being ME someday. We have a highly talented team that’s only going to get better and better. The problem is that I won’t be there to enjoy the payoff. I have a great offense around me. Watts is a terror at running back. Vequain is an amazing young addition to Videl-San and Jeeta. I just have to get them the ball as best as I can. But they’re not at their prime yet. And sadly, I’m way past it. This is probably it for me. My one last shot at glory. There’s a bunch of new, young, eager faces in Austin, and it’s up to this grizzled old man that’s losing his battle with Father Time to take them places this season. No pressure or anything. We got this. (276)