In an effort to see how I can improve my game, I had decided a few weeks back to purchase a digital camcorder to record the upcoming event and to try and diagnose what I did right (very little) and what I did wrong. So how convenient that our first match was against someone who had been the face of the Denver Broncos.

I can make mention how I thought I played or how Travis (my doubles partner) played, but more importantly I came away learning an even more important life lesson.

Jake Plummer had played in a State Doubles Tournament before and in a State Singles tournament while with the Broncos. I never so much as said hello, since I saw the crowd of people swarming him for attention. To be honest I felt a little intimidated, after all there was really nothing good to talk about at that time. It’s one thing to talk to a stranger and be a Monday morning quarterback or make a passing comment about the local sports team, it’s another to talk to the quarterback about the team he plays for…know what I mean? (Left handed interception vs KC anyone, or Jay Cutler waiting in the wing).

Fast forward to 2009 and minutes before the match begins Jake walks in the court, shakes my hand and says, “good luck Alex”. During the match, if it wasn’t for the cheers reminding us of who we were playing, we would have thought he was one of the guys we had played with for years.

After the match you found Jake leaning up against a wall talking to Mike Klis of the Denver Post while still juggling passing comments from spectators. For the rest of the weekend as I walked the handball court corridor at The Denver Athletic Club I noticed Jake Plummer listening and intently engage each and every person who wanted a minute of his time.

Then it was my turn, I caught Jake stretching and I noticed no one was tugging at his sleeve wanting attention, so I decided to tug. I sometimes lack the fortitude to bite my tongue and exercise the right to keep quiet, so without the mind to mouth break pad I started my conversation like this, “Hey Jake, as a long time Bronco fan and for whatever it is worth, I just wanted to let you know how happy I am to see that you weren’t the ‘problem’ with the Denver Broncos. It wasn’t just about putting in a young new quarterback and that would take care of everything. I am happy they fired Shanahan. How can you be so cocky as to build your $30 million dollar castle and believe you would be here forever.” I continued my rant by asking him the Handballer MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION, “So what was up when you threw that left handed pass against, Kansas City?” He smiled and I could see in his eyes he was reliving the moment and had he to do it all over again he would have made the same pass. “Dude if he would have just not turned around, that would have been…” he shook his head and jogged in place a little faster as to shake the thought away.

As for what Jake said about Mike Shanahan, Jay Cutler, Josh McD and the Denver Broncos, you should pick up handball and I’ll tell you over a beer or two. What happens at the State Doubles stays at the State Doubles.

My English teacher told me my stories had to have an ending that ties everything together, so here it is Mrs. Mean Lady who’s name I don’t remember.

I guess in the grand scheme of things, whether a pro football player or the guy who yells when lifting weights at the gym, don’t expect them to be who you think they are. Be open to being pleasantly surprised and don’t wait 3 years before at least saying hello.