NLL Insider

Well, we’ve all been teased by the last two games and I must send congratulations to Calgary, Colorado, Chicago, and TO for coming out of the gates screaming and showing the fans that the NLL will not go quietly into the night. 

Scores like 10-9 and 11-9 are obviously scores that are incredibly close, and from what I have heard around the league, any team could have won those games.  We are one week away from madness, and I can’t wait.  Being introduced at the Wachovia Center is like having your name announced in the Coliseum in Rome 2,000 years ago, and it truly is the best feeling on earth going to war in front of that crowd. 

It’s all just a matter of getting to the arena … easier said than done.

This week I had my first taste of flight problems out of Calgary as the plane that I was scheduled to take into Chicago to catch a connection into Philadelphia was delayed in San Francisco due to the weather.  The only flight into Philly would have gotten me to there at 7:30 a.m., but practice was at 8 a.m. in West Chester, which is an hour from the airport.  Welcome to the NLL.  Every weekend at least 5–10 guys from every team pack their suits and their gear and jump on buses with wings after 40–60 hours of work to play the sport we love. 

Yes it’s awesome getting to experience different cities around the U.S. and Canada, but trust me, when Monday morning comes around and you have been spending 2 days in a bacterium infused hyperbaric chamber and spilling your guts on the floor, it truly doesn’t allow for any time recovering.  Having career goals in mind, it’s tough to throw caution to the wind and saddle up to rely on a lacrosse salary alone, but I can’t express more passionately how fortunate and honored I am to be flying in to play the game that has given me everything I’ve ever received in my life.  I can’t wait till next weekend, and I’ll be at the Calgary airport early enough to make sure there are some contingency flights. 

Next time you have a pint in your hand at the greatest sporting event on earth, make sure you raise your glass to the road warriors; there are 20 of them playing in front of you.

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