Quarter Life Crisis

Note: This thought was dug up as my roommates and I were watching the NBA playoffs (if you’re not watching, do so, best playoffs since the MJ era). I realize my first two posts have to do with age, specifically my age. Please bare with me. It seems as if I must be having a quarter life crisis. Give me a month or two and I’ll get over it.

Back in the days when ‘ten plus one’ meant ‘two years from being a teenager,’ I went to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. To be honest I don’t remember much of the visit, only that I could pick out one souvenir from the gift shop. I chose an 8×10 glossy of Elway stepping back into his drop.

both hands strangling the ball/legs jetting towards earth forming a perfect V/framed by a sea of blurred orange/golden brown locks cascading from his helmet, mere inches from a supreme mullet/this was the precise moment before pigskin evaporation.

I still have this photograph.

When I was old enough to drink, or at least old enough to enter bars, I did so, to watch games. This picture came with me, in a cheap frame, with the ability to stand (meant for displaying family portraits on mantels and end tables). I propped it up on the bar in front of me, the only barrier between the hanging television and myself. It was a portable shrine, a bit of luck, a proclamation of pride. Now, at the time Elway was a no longer playing under center. No, this was meant as a beacon of positive energy, shooting from my barstool in small town Ohio, to whoever was commandeering the Broncos in Mile High Colorado.

Kinda silly. Kinda childish…. Kinda awesome.

Here’s the thing, Elway is a hero, to many of us. He was someone to look up to, a man who never gave up, and as a young boy it was easy to find this man a superstar. A god to look his former team.

I am no longer a kid. In years.

I still get butterflies before games/have man crushes on Broncos players/scream at the television/brag by donning the orange and blue/carry my 8×10 glossy of Elway around in my Broncos backpack to the bars.

The difference? Most of the players I now put all my emotional energy in are roughly three to four years younger than I am. Damn.

Isn’t that freaky?
(Here is where the realization takes over during the NBA playoffs. I’m finding it hard to put into words, to convey to all of you, but do any of you know this feeling that I speak of?)

It’s freaky to realize that the people I idolize could be a younger sibling, or the little kid that lived down the block, or that their drivers license has a DOB of 1988 and they can join me for a drink.
Then again, maybe it’s just freaky to realize that these kids are playing professional sports, making millions of dollars and I’m writing Internet articles and spending my time in bars.
Or, maybe it’s not that freaky, after all age is just a number.

3 young guys that I hope freak me out this year

Brandon Marshall 24 years old
I know, I know, it seems like an easy pick. Even though Marshall upped his receptions and average yards per game last season, he was just under in touchdowns and total yardage from the previous year. Remember midseason last year when Bmarsh, as a mental exercise to deal with the fumbles and dropsies was cradling a ball all week? This year (a year in which it looks as though the running game will try to re-establish itself, a year in which the team welcomes a new signal caller) will determine if he will hold his own as one of the top receivers in the league. I know he is coming of a second consecutive incredible year, and a Pro Bowl season, but this year will decide his fate as a Bronco. If Marshall can build a chemistry with Orton and get in the end zone more, as well as bring more of the YAC we saw in his second season, I think he will be rewarded with a contract extension.

Wesley Woodyard 23 years old
Check out Woodyards stats after the bye week last year, after he got acclimated, after he got going. In games (3) which he recorded double digit tackles (10) and tag on one game with nine tackles, the Broncos won. Every other game they lost. The most tackles he had during those losses, four. I know we can’t attribute his solo to performance to winning or losing games, but I remember watching that first game he started against the Browns, he was flying around the field like a heat seeking missile. We need this kid on the field, period. The linebacking corps is in question with the switch to the 3-4. I know D.J. will be playing, along with Andre Davis. The rest of the LB hot talk is revolving around all of our hybrid players, the hipsters are talking Moss/Dumervil/Ayers, and deservedly so, lets just hope this kid get his chance.

Ryan Clady 22 years old
His first year is going to be an extremely tough act to follow, don’t doubt that for a second. Clady flew under the radar last season to anyone outside of Bronco Country. It didn’t matter that he was the only lineman (offensive or defensive) to win the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award. It didn’t matter that his total number of sacks allowed had a decimal in front of it, or that he had only three penalties called on him all year. Any time I listened to or watched so called NFL analysts I was maddened by the talk of Jake Long, who didn’t have a bad season, just a far inferior season. It’s hard for an offensive lineman to start off with such an impressive campaign and follow up with one equally impressive. Joe Thomas had a great rookie season, but ended up slipping a bit in his second year. Once again, as the Broncos look to run the ball more, Clady will have to step up and be just as effective blocking for the ground game as he was for the air attack last season.
And kids, for the record, if you want a Bronco jersey that you can count on look no further. Like many of you I have a pile of jerseys bought in the past 10 years that I have no use for anymore. Buying a Ryan Clady jersey is safe. As sure as Jack Bauer will save the world year after year, Ryan Clady will remain a Bronco year after year.

I’m 27 years old.
It looks weird in words.
Age is sneaky. Through youth it is celebrated, each year an addition to the previous. These days it seems as though the math has become invisible, the years are gently laid upon the top of the heap, not necessarily counted. So writing it down, it looks weird. I am insecure with my age and I drink a lot.
Godspeed, and everyone go see Star Trek, it’s really cool.

J. Kenneth K for Student Council President (Broncotalk staff writer)
As my campaign (2 trial pieces) comes to an end I wanted to address you, the student body, and let you know what you can expect out of me if I do indeed get elected student council president (staff writer).
*Fun, insightful, extremely neurotic posts
*Free pizza(if you live in NYC and come over to my apartment…and pay the tip)
*Cool stickers and buttons. As well as colorful fun posters to decorate the halls with
*In depth conversations about LOST
I guess that’s about it.
Vote for me J. Kenneth K