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Chance to live dream of NFL

Rookie defensive lineman Craig Terrill, a journalism major from Purdue University, will write a weekly article for readers of The Spokesman-Review about his experiences at Seahawks camp. Terrill was selected with the 24th pick in the fifth round (189th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. At Purdue, he was a three-year starter on the defensive line, collecting 131 tackles (89 solo) and 35.5 tackles for losses of 165 yards. He ranks fifth on school's career sack list with 20.5. (The Spokesman-Review)
Seahawks rookie Craig Terrill The Spokesman-Review
Rookie defensive lineman Craig Terrill, a journalism major from Purdue University, will write a weekly article for readers of The Spokesman-Review about his experiences at Seahawks camp. Terrill was selected with the 24th pick in the fifth round (189th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. At Purdue, he was a three-year starter on the defensive line, collecting 131 tackles (89 solo) and 35.5 tackles for losses of 165 yards. He ranks fifth on school's career sack list with 20.5. (The Spokesman-Review)

Hot days, double-team blocks and coaches yelling in your ear. Welcome to NFL training camp.

As a rookie fresh out of Purdue University, every day is a battle to make this team. A chance to realize a dream I have had since I was a little kid — to play the sport that I love for a living. I have played football for the last 14 years of my life, but this is the first time I have ever been put in the position to either make things happen on the field, or be cut. There are no in-betweens in this business. The talent level is so high in the NFL that if one player is not getting the job done, there are several guys eager to take his place.

One of the toughest differences between college and pro football for me has been trying to build friendships with my teammates even though I know they are the guys I am competing with for a job. As stressful as that is to think about, I still go out every day and think how blessed I am to have this opportunity. As a boy who grew up on a farm in Indiana, the NFL lifestyle is still quite new to me. I have always been the one asking for player autographs, so it is still quite a shock when a fan asks “Will you sign my ball?” I usually look over my shoulder to make sure Matt Hasselbeck isn’t standing behind me.

The easiest part of being a Seahawks player is the incredible group of guys I play with and against every day. I never expected to find a team with so many leaders — young and old — who are focused on becoming a better football team. It is evident to me how determined this team is to win a lot of football games.

But before I get ahead of myself there is still a lot of work to be done. So for the next three weeks we will be knocking each other around under the hot noonday sun because I know the NFL can also stand for “Not For Long” if I don’t give everything I’ve got.