The week of and everything about the season opener in the National Football League becomes more exciting every year. I think the league has done a tremendous job promoting the first week of the season.
Although I can look back and remember moments that happened throughout my career, the first game of the season is always memorable. That first regular season game is unique because everyone is fast, everyone is prepared and it's the freshest you're going to be all year.
Without question, my most memorable opening day was our first game in Tennessee in 1997. We were matched up against the Raiders at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. I remember that it was an extremely hot day and the crowd was sparse, but that emotion for the first game was visible on both sidelines.
I had one of the best games of my career that day. I exploded for 216 rushing yards as we knocked off the Raiders in overtime. I think that was the most rushing yards in a game since O.J. Simpson in 1978. Everyone wants to start a season with a good performance and I think that game propelled me to have a good season.
The season opener means that your time has finally arrived after a long off-season and I'm looking forward to the 2006 season to see some guys around the league compete and make their most memorable moments.
