Some moments can change a life. 

My moment could’ve, would’ve, should’ve been different . . . 

Standing there in the cold, lights shining, snowflakes falling,

You could look into the night sky and almost find something peaceful.

I looked . . . seeing a scoreboard that would never change: 20-14.

I saw people crying, sobbing, laughing and embracing. 

The confusion lasted for a brief second as the groups separated.

A man asked me to take a trophy.

I told him I didn't win anything. He went to the next person.

People started hugging me.

I was numb, the cold a comfort.

Music still played, people still talked.

I could hear chanting, “We Are the Champions!” 

I felt like running over and starting a fight,

It didn't matter anymore.

Everyone has a reason, an explanation . . .

People told me why we lost -- 

They weren’t even in the stadium that night.

Getting hurt in the most important game of your life is heartbreaking.

When you physically cannot do something you could do before,

You feel broken.

Coach started. I don't remember what he said, just what I felt: 

love, sorrow, regret, anger, numbness, emptiness. 

The snow still continued to fall,

The other crowd still continued to cheer and sing. 

We were silent, except for the small cry of the fans and players.

Tears ran down many faces, coach most of all.

I just stood there, numb, looking around. 

All the months of continual work, all the pain, all the love;  

To be standing there crying--for sorrow, instead of joy.

Standing, staring, stillness. 

The journey was over, the Boys of Fall.

All we gained was memories. And a lesson,

I never want to get so far and lose again. 

Maybe we gained more . . .

Nevertheless, I still have that s****y feeling in my gut.

Always will, when I remember.

Coming out of the locker room, 

The bus was on the other side of the field. 

I looked, just a snowy field, a quiet one,

Under Friday night lights.