When I tried out for JV quarterback, I taught myself to focus on the wide receivers. I knew all the routes inside and out and was as prepared as I would ever be. The only problem was my constant squinting. My vision was slightly blurred — not bad, but blurred enough that I was over-throwing the ball. When you’re a quarterback, that’s a cardinal sin. If you overthrow, it forces the wide receivers to over-reach, stretching them out and making them more susceptible to crushing tackles.

Sub-par throws and misses are not the fastest way to your coach’s heart. As I watched my last pass sail too high it sudden hit me that I was wearing my old contact lenses. I had just received a pair of new disposables in the mail, but obviously, I was so focused on the tryouts I forgot to switch them out. Self-doubt was setting in and when that happens, it’s adios muchacho.

Playing Varsity footballs is almost impossible if you don’t make the JV squad. This wasn’t just my junior year down the tubes — it was my entire pro career. The competition was getting fierce, the other guys were drilling passes left and right. I ducted off the field and made a beeline to the locker room. I frantically called my sister — thankfully she answered. After promising to do her chores for the entire month, she agreed to bring my contacts.

I tried to hang back as the try-out squad took the field for the last passing test. As each wanna-be took the field, I looked around frantically. Where was she? The guy in front of me was called up for his final passing tests. Suddenly, I heard my name being called. I turned and caught my sister’s arm lobbing something up into the air. The contacts bounced off my head and onto the grass. I crouched down and switched out my lenses like a pit crew chief.

Someone barked my name and I took the field. The last passing test is completely your call, so I called the mother of all passes: the Hail Mary. As the ball was snapped into my sweaty hands, I had to scramble to get a line on the wide receiver. As I released the ball, I was taken by a Varsity linebacker. I got up and saw the receiver give me a thumbs up from the end zone. It connected and I loved every minute of Varsity football.

Fuel your football hopes, one pair of disposable lenses at a time. Get fit, memorize every play in the book, and come prepared with up-to-date disposable lenses.