NFL life certainly is best

This morning, I forgot I had a steroid test at 6 a.m.

I was awakened by a knock on the door. It was two intern athletic trainers sent to my room to get a urine sample. They looked very scared and nervous. I could only imagine how they would feel if they had to awake a 6-4, 300-pound lineman out of precious sleep that he needs to survive training camp.

When I arrived downstairs, there were two guys waiting in front of me. I had to pee so bad. I complained like a 3-year-old for so long that they took me ahead of the other two guys.

This morning, we had meetings at 8:30. We install at least five new defenses every meeting. That’s why it is very important that I always review my notes before practice and at bedtime.

Special teams practice was good. I love special teams. I try to participate on as many special teams as I can. I’m a starter on kick-off return, field goal protection and field goal block. My philosophy is “the more you can do.”

In the NFL, teams like to have guys who can contribute on offense or defense and on special teams. I will fight my butt off to stay on as many special teams as possible until they kick me out of the NFL.

I failed to mention the thousands of fans we have at every evening practice. I think some of these people take a two-week vacation just to come watch a bunch of guys kill each other. I’m wondering if some of these people work. It’s amazing. But that’s what makes football what it is today. The athletes who play it, and the crazy, die-hard fans.

It was hot this afternoon.

My grandmother always told me that “hell was much hotter. Keep God first in your life.”

It was definitely a hot one. I think I lost about seven pounds of water weight in one practice. Amazing!

Meetings went until almost 10 p.m. Keep in mind, I had to take a drug test this morning at 6 a.m.! Long days!

Thursday morning

I’m going to get a massage. It’s about that time. We have been banging heads for three straight days in the hot sun. Now it’s time to get a little rub down.

Man, I am truly blessed to be in the NFL. Even though training camp is tough and my body has its aches and pains, I’m truly blessed. There are thousands of people who would love to be where I’m at today. That’s why I never take this opportunity for granted, nor my life.

My college roommate, Brandon Rouse, died of a heart attack at 19. Sometimes it seems like yesterday. When I reflect on that moment of my life, I realize that life is too short, and that’s why you have live every day like it’s your last.

I’m reading book called “God is in the tough stuff” by Bruce and Stan. I recommend it!

We didn’t have practice this morning. Today was “get right Thursday morning,” which means it’s a time period that you take advantage of to make your body feel a whole lot better.

First, I went to the weight room to get my “swole on.” Then after that, I had breakfast with The Diesel (99) and A. Smith (91).

Then it off to the cold tub for 15 minutes, which was a record setting 40 degrees this morning. OUCH! After that, I took a nice swim in the “enormous Olympic pool.” Just kidding, I’ve seen bigger pools at Wal-Mart.

Now it’s time to get a nice massage! I gotta take care of this body. If you take care of your body, it will take care of you. I watched some more film from yesterday’s practice to see what I could do better. And now I’m relaxing in my room. It looks like we might get some rain. I’m not going to mentally let myself think that it’s going to rain and that we are not going to have practice. (Wink).

I just got back into my room from getting a massage. Normally, I fall asleep during my massages, but low and behold, I had a man who was massaging me. I have nothing a against a man being a massage therapist, but my mindset is just a little different.

You know what I mean?

XNick Eason is in sixth NFL season and second with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s sharing his experiences with The Vindicator.