I was having trouble with my jump serve, so I went back to the float serve I learned from Brian (Beckwith). It seemed to work for me. I like to call it the 'Hissing Cockroach,' courtesy of Brian Beckwith.

We came out slow, maybe with Jose being out, it kind of shifted our game plan. They're a good team, although their record doesn't show that. They have nothing to lose right now and they can swing away. They're not going to go down without a fight.

He had a mask on. It was a little freaky at first, but I got over it. I shook his hand. He seemed normal. He was a nice guy. He signed autographs. I brought a basketball, and he signed it. I have it at home.

A good family friend knew them and took us there. It was fun.

I just like the way you can get so pumped up, hit someone and not get in trouble for it. ... Take out my frustrations.

After graduating early from high school, I carefully listened to the quarterback during my first play in college spring ball. My mind was on the very basics of football: alignment, assignment, and where to stand in the huddle.

The quarterback broke the huddle and I ran to the line, meeting the confident eyes of a defensive end—6-foot-6, 260- pound Matt Shaughnessy.

I was seventeen, a true freshman, and he was a 23-year-old fifth-year senior, a third-round draft pick. Huge difference between the two of us. Impressing the coach was not on my mind. Survival was. “Oh, Jesus,” I said. I wasn’t cursing. I was praying for help.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray ( James 5:13).

That day Matt came off the ball so fast. Bam! Next thing I knew, I was flat on my back, thrown to the ground. I got up and limped back to the huddle.

Four years later...standing on the sidelines in my first NFL game, bouncing on my toes, waiting for my chance to go in, one of the tight ends went down. My time to shine! Where do I stand? Who do I have? I look up and meet the same eyes I met on my first play in college football.
Matt Shaughnessy! ...