I was never strong enough, fast enough, big enough or quick enough to be an impact player for the Stephen F. Austin High Broncos or the Bryan Vikings, but I tried hard.

Some players have the heart and not the ability. That was me.

I remember being so hot and tired at practice and watching other players get sick and coaches hollering to suck it up. Lifting weights and conditioning in the offseason seemed fruitless and lasted forever, not to mention the soreness. Ten months of conditioning, and the fans only see two months of glory -- or agony.

Coaches Merrill Green and Robert Guyton were my inspirations. They were hard on me, but it made me a better man. I did not realize why at the time, but I saw it after I was mature enough to understand the life lessons I was being taught.

Winning was the goal, but it was not the motivation behind all that was said and done to each of us. I was being taught how to be a responsible person in society and accept the things I cannot change and the courage to stand for the things I can.

Discipline is so hard to learn, especially if it does not start in the home. My mom and dad instilled respect and discipline in us at an early age. They taught me that although you may not like what is being said, the coach will still get your respect and you will do your best.

So many times I remember hoping I could block my man long enough so Curtis Dickey would not hit me in the back, which could happen if I was not moving my assignment out of the way. I remember Mike Ford being the strongest man on the field, and Jack Dillard and Troy Wager loving to hit people so hard even in practice.

That genuine pat on the butt from your coach when you did something right made it all worth it. The greatest feeling was when a fan recognized you and what you were doing, because your parents are supposed to always feel that way.

Football is hard work with nasty, stinky guys, but I wish I could have excelled and gone on to the next level. I miss it tremendously.