Steam rises from my forehead
Sweat stings my eyes
Blood pours from minute cuts
The lactic acids make my muscles scream their fatigue

It is the final down of the game
My mind cries for mercy
I must stop this man from getting past me
If he breaks through this barrier of defense, it is over until next year

If he crosses the goal, on the cross I will be for an entire off-season
Every ache I am suffering now will stay
Every cheap shot and bruise received
I will spend months remembering

The lineman who stuck me in the eye
The runner whose cleats smashed my hand
Fingers mashed in somebody's facemask
The unseen offender who cracked my ribs

All the days spent in the training room
Having Icy Hot rubbed into sore muscles
Sitting in the hot tub to soak swollen joints
Having my ankles, ribs and wrists taped for healing support

Realizing this opponent wants to crush me
He wants me to be mocked and second-guessed
Anger swells
I will not be made a fool of

The timeout is over and the opponent is lining up for 4th and one
I sense that they are going to run the ball right at me
I tense up and my breath becomes shallow
Hear the snap count

Silence as I prepare
The ball is snapped and I hear the contact of pads
The runner takes the ball and he is headed right at me
I let every ounce of primal rage unfurl

Rush in to attack the enemy
Vision becomes a field of red
The ball carrier is the silhouette that I focus on
The adrenaline springs me forward as I unleash a nuclear hit


White light . . .


Brain is numb and fingers tingle
The stadium grounds are rumbling underneath me
Hear and feel teammates separating the carnage

The referee blows his whistle
The ball is lifted in the air
NO SCORE!!!!