Updated: February 3, 2005, 7:04 PM ET

'Awake, alive and invigorated'

Print Share
By Dhani Jones
Special to ESPN.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Nothing is really that much different in this fantasyland we call the Super Bowl. We wake up, walk to breakfast, talk to a few people and we are on our way.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones is filing a daily diary during Super Bowl week exclusively for ESPN.com.
  • No. 1: Eagles in flight
  • No. 2: Frenzy Bowl
  • No. 3: Quite surreal
  • No. 4: Seizing the day
  • No. 5: Cabin fever
  • It's really the memories and the interesting stories that make this epic journey substantial to all who participate. It's how you feel and the butterflies that never leave once you wake up, knowing the days are falling off the cliff faster then you can run. As you read and listen to the painted picture I describe and you see it on television, record your notes as if you were there and it will reside forever in your treasure chest.

    Who likes Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles restaurant was the ridiculous question of the day. All other queries posed at groundhog media day seemed insignificant to Nate Wayne and myself. After all, three days of questions would more then likely end up a bit redundant and impersonal. But the league mandates that we must participate for 45 minutes. The team and the coaches cooperated, yet I heard Jevon Kearse mumble, "We have got to get to the game, no more questions." I agreed and so did everyone else.

    The sun came out and the vitamin D was everywhere. I could tell people were more awake, alive and invigorated by the radiating presence. Even Freddie Mitchell was talking. My feet seemed to move faster as I sprinted out of the meeting. I had to gather water for the stallions who were keyed into the preparation for the day. The sunlight hours were numbered, and everyone felt chance knocking at the door. We shunned the early start, gathered our minds and focused on goal line and short yardage. Meetings flew past and coaches noticed the natives were getting restless, so we broke after loading up the bus and took to the ballroom.

    It was a strange lunch that I experienced. Chad Lewis showed up in his ubiquitous motorized chair, except this one has two wheels. No, wait, that was Wednesday night. Today, he had the fancy kind. It was the professional scooter with turn signals and a horn that sounded like the annoying "this is a test." He says in a WWE tone, "Don't feel sorry for me 'cause I don't. I'm HHHHEEEERRRREEE like the rest of yah and I'm loving it."

    The food wasn't any different. Actually, we had an assortment of different rice to choose from so that we wouldn't get bored of the traditional bleached rice. Instead of good fruit from sunny Florida, we had vegetables from the south. I suppose the cold weather that we brought from the north inhibited the growing process. Cada dia (each day) brings new and exciting adventures.

    Loaded on the bus, fired up and ready to go, I knew that it was going to be a great day for football. I saw the intent, the commitment and love of the warm weather that was approaching. When we arrived and stepped onto the field, we all heard the starter and in unison took off and began the day. It was Nate Wayne who felt it first. Andy Hall commenced the play, and attitude lashed out from the sky like the fury of a powerful beast. He couldn't take the pulling and shoving the scout line was giving him. It was enough, I agreed and so did the rest of the defense.

    By the next play it was yours truly involved in the scuffle. Derrick Burgess exploded into the offensive tackle as if he stole something from him. Even the offense had a bit of a chip on its shoulder. Billy McMullen was invincible in the slot. Hank Fraley had everyone's number and Father Time (our Coach, Andy Reid) looked on in fascination. I suppose time and questions had built up inside and we were through.

    I sign all of my autographs with "carpe diem." It is one of the most important sayings to me. To seize the day, is to live the day and the next one with no regrets. We proceeded on this path as a team never looking back, always living in what has been put before us because it is here, right now.

    For more on Dhani, see his Web site www.dhani55.com.