I still think of myself as a former athlete that writes, not a writer who once played ball. I never wanted to be the quarterback or running back, but wanted to touch the football on every play, liked being the offensive center and leading the team out of the huddle, up to the line of scrimmage. Most often we never get to decide when our time is over. Our bodies or someone else will let us know. I only knew that my brother and I both loved sports. In many ways, I still play center today.