Hernandez finally made the breakthrough in the 75th minute after a bad clearance | Forum

For 16 years, the rhythm of my life in August was simple: helmet, pads and two-a-days. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic . The schedule repeated like clockwork every year, from Glenbard West High School to the University of Iowa to the NFL.Until I retired in 2007.And then I thought: What do normal people do in August?The freedom was a bit jarring, after spending seven seasons in the cocoon of the NFL, where everything -- and I mean everything -- is scheduled and regimented from August through the end of the season.The NFL players who retired just this week will most likely have the same feelings. Eugene Monroe, Phil Loadholt and Greg Jennings all could still play ball, but they shut it down -- for good.We all retire for different reasons. I had a couple of small offers to play an eighth year for my fifth NFL team, but for what? To cover kicks again, to attack the four-man wedge, to scrap for a roster spot? Nah. Im good. I didnt see the value, and family life was calling.My wife was pregnant at the time with our second son, Patrick. Irish twins, they call it. And my oldest, Matthew Jr. -- who has Down syndrome -- was in therapy. I couldnt bring myself to move everyone across the country. Or to leave them behind for a job. No way.Family, ultimately, was my deciding factor. For others, its the grind of another season. It was no surprise to see vets like Monroe, Loadholt and Jennings call it quits on the eve of training camp. Even without the old-school two-a-days, the anticipation of a pro camp can absolutely crush your soul as a player.And remember, these vets arent built out of rubber like the rookies. They have injuries to deal with, their bodies are beaten down to almost nothing and the daily maintenance required to just get on the practice field can wear down even the toughest dudes.Plus, the players in todays game are now more educated than ever. They get it when it comes to injuries, concussions and future risks. Get paid, cash out and move on. Look at Calvin Johnson, who made more than $100 million playing ball. Hes already a Hall of Fame player, in my opinion. Hang it up? Why not? His body was starting to hurt.But just because the decision is clear doesnt make it easy. I remember staring at my retirement papers on the kitchen counter for days. It was like a piece of my life waiting to die.My wife mailed them. She had to. I just couldnt do it.The NFL has some nice benefits waiting down the road for vested veterans -- annuity, 401k, pension -- but all the security in the world cant prepare you for your first August without that familiar routine.I was in my early 30s when I hung em up. I drifted around for a while, jobless and without a plan. I had a degree in journalism from Iowa. That counts, right? But whats next?For me, it was graduate school. A masters in writing and publishing from DePaul in Chicago. Poetry classes. Non-fiction. Short story workshops. I entered an unknown environment. No one cared about NFL football, which I needed. Those classes became a bridge, a part of the transition.Was it a perfect jump into life outside of football? Not really. It was hard. Heck, its still hard. You never really get over losing that piece of your life.Sure, I miss the games. But those are secondary. What I really miss is being on a team and spending everyday inside a competitive environment with like-minded people. You cant recreate that stuff when you leave the game.Coaching DBs at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois, is the closest Ive come. The opportunity to get back on the grass, to compete, to talk football ... thats priceless. Sure, it keeps me young. And I love the kids. Thats a special thing when you build a relationship with your players. Man, its awesome. So is the feeling when your guys start to develop in a football program you believe in.But, more than anything, I needed that competitiveness in my life. It gives me balance with family and work. It gives me an opportunity to escape the real world for three hours a day on the practice field and on Friday nights. And it brings me back to an environment that fits my personality.Ive been told Im a football guy. Thats probably true. I think its the best game in the world. And it prepared me for life more than I ever expected. But Im still adjusting to life without it. And in some ways, I always will be.ESPN.com NFL analyst Matt Bowen played seven seasons as a defensive back in the NFL. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. http://www.wholesalenfljerseysofficial.com/ .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. MONACO -- Poland center-back Kamil Glik salvaged a 1-1 draw for Monaco against Bayer Leverkusen with a spectacular strike in the final seconds of their match in Group E of the Champions League game on Tuesday.Glik, who joined Monaco from Torino this summer, fired home a superb half-volley from the edge of the box to level in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Monaco had offered virtually nothing throughout the game, and Mexico striker Javier Hernandez had deservedly put the visitors in front in the 75th minute.But with 15 seconds left to play, Glik made the most of a loose ball to find the top left corner with Monacos first shot on target. Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno could only watch as Monaco extended its unbeaten record against the German side to five matches.Leonardo Jardims team, which started its campaign with a win at Tottenham, has now four points in Group E, two more than Leverkusen.Both teams made a cautious start to the game but Monacos defense quickly looked troubled by the high pressing game from the visitors.Well-organized in midfield, Leverkusens players enjoyed most of the possession but failed to create clear-cut chances in the first half. Monaco vainly looked for individual moments of skill, giving the ball away too quickly to be dangerous.Playing as a lone striker in the absence of Radamel Falcao, Valere Germain did not get enough passes from his partners to unsettle Leverkusens solid defense while Charles Aranguiz and Kevin Kampl marshaled the midfield to stop Monacos rare counterattacks. Discount Nike NFL Jerseys. Thomas Lemar had a good chance to put the hosts in front on the stroke of halftime but his left-foot shot from Djibril Sidibes cross ended just wide of Lenos post. Set up by Kevin Volland down the left of the area, Hernandez had a good chance to give Leverkusen the lead soon afterward, but his powerful drive was saved by keeper Danijel Subasic.Leverkusen kept the pressure up after the interval but Aranguiz saw his attempt at goal easily blocked by Subasic in the 60th minute. Hernandez finally made the breakthrough in the 75th minute after a bad clearance from the hosts.Left completely unmarked in the box, he connected with a precise cross from Admir Mehmedi to break the deadlock with a fine header.It was Hernandez 100th goal since starting his career in Europe. The former Real Madrid and United player enjoyed his first taste of European football six years ago when he joined United from Chivas Guadalajara. ' ' '