Steve DeOssie, Marathon Man

No doubt about it, Steve DeOssie, the former Boston College standout who went on to a solid National Football League career, should feel a great sense of accomplishment for his successful run of the Boston Marathon.

After all, he's not some fleet footed ex-wide receiver, but a linebacker who pushed 250 pounds during his playing career.

But in today's Globe, DeOssie has the following to say about his Boston finish: "Every marathoner I talk to wanted me to tell them it was harder than football, but I couldn't do it. The actual marathon itself was very, very difficult. The energy level was maybe a little bit more than a game, but the physical toll on the body wasn't even close. The next day, my legs felt like Day 3 of training camp double sessions, but I didn't have to practice the next day, and that was the difference. The recovery was a lot easier [than] from a full football game."

Okay. I admit I'm a bit defensive having worked hard to crack four hours that same day. DeOssie crossed the finish line in 5 hours and 24 minutes. That's a 12:22 minute mile. No wonder he feels fresh as a daisy. For comparison, he should be looking at how he might feel after a celebrity, flag-football game.