(Originally appearing on nola.com on Thursday night and published in the Times-Picayune on Friday)
Dear New Orleans.
Four years ago you welcomed me into your city. We made parades because we felt like it. You gave me a lot of alcohol. I gave you a lot of alcohol. And hopefully in that time I also gave you something more. We built a champion. We built a relationship. When my medical condition came to light thanks to you know who, you didn't blink, New Orleans. There we rumors about me retiring and the response I heard from you was that you were excited to see me around town more. Every time I walk through the city or I'm out shopping or whatever it is, you embrace me. I don't think I can tell you how powerful that really is.
I'm guessing some of you can see where this is going. It's getting more difficult to play. I'm older now. My body isn't healing as quickly or as well. I've had to learn to moderate my drinking. I have to stop doing the Anne Rice tours every month. That's not related to my health, I just really need more hobbies. It all adds up though. Between that, and the snake that is about to be banned from any locker room I'm in, I realize the time is coming. So I'm going to say this to you before I even file the paperwork with the league.
Next season will be my last season as a player in the NSFL. One more shot to win it all one more time. To cement my legacy in this league. What it will not be however is the last I do for this team. I've accepted an internship in the front office that will officially begin after I retire, but probably really began a few years ago when I started crashing coaching meetings and bugging the scouts all the time about their thoughts on players, organizations, and upcoming DSFL prospects. In fact I have joined the scouts a few times this season at DSFL games and included my own notes. They say I've actually been helpful. At the end of next season we'll start finding out if they're just being nice.
In the meantime, I've got one more offseason to get ready to give you 16 more games and another trophy. Let'd do this.
-Charlie Law
Dear New Orleans.
Four years ago you welcomed me into your city. We made parades because we felt like it. You gave me a lot of alcohol. I gave you a lot of alcohol. And hopefully in that time I also gave you something more. We built a champion. We built a relationship. When my medical condition came to light thanks to you know who, you didn't blink, New Orleans. There we rumors about me retiring and the response I heard from you was that you were excited to see me around town more. Every time I walk through the city or I'm out shopping or whatever it is, you embrace me. I don't think I can tell you how powerful that really is.
I'm guessing some of you can see where this is going. It's getting more difficult to play. I'm older now. My body isn't healing as quickly or as well. I've had to learn to moderate my drinking. I have to stop doing the Anne Rice tours every month. That's not related to my health, I just really need more hobbies. It all adds up though. Between that, and the snake that is about to be banned from any locker room I'm in, I realize the time is coming. So I'm going to say this to you before I even file the paperwork with the league.
Next season will be my last season as a player in the NSFL. One more shot to win it all one more time. To cement my legacy in this league. What it will not be however is the last I do for this team. I've accepted an internship in the front office that will officially begin after I retire, but probably really began a few years ago when I started crashing coaching meetings and bugging the scouts all the time about their thoughts on players, organizations, and upcoming DSFL prospects. In fact I have joined the scouts a few times this season at DSFL games and included my own notes. They say I've actually been helpful. At the end of next season we'll start finding out if they're just being nice.
In the meantime, I've got one more offseason to get ready to give you 16 more games and another trophy. Let'd do this.
-Charlie Law