A Week of Rugby

It's been 42 years since George Plimpton wrote "Paper Lion," a book chronicling his try out with the 1963 Detroit Lion football team. Plimpton was 36 at the time, a writer with no football experience, only he didn't tell anyone. His teammates and opponents thought he was a joke. It turned out the joke was on them. 

Well, always looking for new material in which to work with, I, the Cocksman, tried out for the Tufts Rugby team this past week. I went to three practices, two drink-ups, and one game. And that's it. I got a nice bruise all over my body. I'm sore as hell. And I only played about 10-15 minutes of actual game time. 

So now what? I could keep playing rugby, but I doubt it. I could write a book about it, "Paper Jumbo," but that's even more doubtful. Most likely, I do nothing. I remember the experience - the coach who tackled me, the jock humor, the guy who drinks till he pukes and then keeps on drinking - and the experience is material for my next novel. You know that novel... That novel I've been working on.... That one.... With the protagonist......