Mine, at least for now, have done so.

As I watched the annual alumni game at Highland Community College from the sidelines, I had an itching to play football. Perhaps it was actually the potential West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes that were biting me, but I’m pretty sure it was the urge to block against current HCC players.

My right knee, which was operated on a year ago, should have been ready to go, but I was still slightly nervous about this more aggressive venture. I’ll probably play next year, but this season, just to be safe, the sideline was my haven.

I hope by next August I’ll be in great form, ready for a 60-minute game against college pups. But in case I’m not, I have visions of my last HCC alumni game two years ago.

With the alumni on offense to start the game, I was on the field first. Ready to lead our team to the promised land of the end zone, we started on our own 25-yard-line. Minutes later, the current HCC team intercepted a pass. I was the only thing standing between the interceptor and the goal line, but the safety had to get past me first. About 1.6 seconds later, he scored. Also, the alumni’s lone score came when I wasn’t on the field, which gives me more incentive for next year.

Still, Saturday was very enjoyable. You can’t replace a reunion with friends you stood by through sprint upon sprint, bench press after bench press and coaching tirade after coaching tirade.

For those reasons, glory days sometimes go beyond how many touchdowns Jimmy scored against this team, or how many tackles Gus had against that powerhouse. Glory days are more about the friends you found while you were striving for victories.

Perhaps I look at it from this perspective because we didn’t have great fortunes at Highland. We went 3-15 in two years. HCC is a juco also. Kansas junior colleges are basically minor league farm systems for teams like Kansas State and other programs needing quick fixes. The league did provide some excitement. We played against future Division I players like Frank Murphy (K-State) and J. Crabtree (Purdue). Both players won against Highland and Murphy set an NJCAA record with six or seven touchdowns against us. So, once again, some memories were better than others.

The juco ranks aren’t the most glamorous. There are no media days. Children don’t flock to you for autographs as they do in Division I. A prominent magazine certainly doesn’t comb area freshmen and sophomores for a Girls of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference spread, either.

But, it was still college football and some people don’t have the opportunity.

Or take it.

Jack Renkens, a former coach and athletics director, now speaks to high school students about college recruiting realities. Monday, he spoke in the Basehor-Linwood auditorium about recruiting.

Many students think they can play major college ball, and many parents agree. Renkens pointed out that 0.8 percent of high school athletes get Division I scholarships.

Sometimes walk-ons make a major impact in Division I, and they should be admired for working harder when others with more natural talents already have scholarships. But, players have to realize they can still play collegiate ball at various other levels.

College mail from prospective teams was always a blast. The stacks of letters were fun to acquire, especially when I couldn’t pronounce some names, let alone know where the colleges were.

But, as Renken said, letters are just that mail. Until somebody from Stanford or Kentucky or Florida State shows up at your door, any letter is probably part of a bulk delivery.

My claim to fame came at Highland when Ivy League representative Columbia sent me a letter. I was genuinely excited, but then saw every other player’s mailbox in the coach’s office with the same envelope. I don’t think an Ivy League school would be heavily recruiting at a community college. Oh, and if they can’t spell your name correctly, that’s usually a good sign.

Far removed from any recruiting decisions Saturday, I sat on the Highland sideline and realized why I wanted to play I love football and I love my friends.

Bruce Springsteen actually urges people to let go of their glory days in his song. We can’t all hang onto athletic glory days forever, and we shouldn’t relive them in their absence.

But, when our knees no longer can support what our minds want us to do, we and the people we shared time with can still enjoy our true glory days.

I just hope more teammates won’t let the alumni game pass them by next year.

After all, I’ll probably need someone to share ice packs and Advil with.