In May and June, Frizzell took classes in acting and art appreciation to qualify for a diploma from North Carolina Central. He had left the school in 1984, about 14 credits shy of his degree in political science.
Last fall, after he was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he spent the first five weeks of the season as an assistant coach at North Carolina Central. Then the Eagles, his team from 1986 to 1990, asked him to come back in October as a reserve.
"I'm lucky because I've always been able to play for fun," he said yesterday. "I didn't have to help my family out of poverty or worry about the paycheck."
When he leaves the game, he said, he might help his brother Keith, who recently took over the family plumbing business in Greenville, N.C.
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Cornerback Ben Smith gave his surgically repaired left knee a break by going easy in practice yesterday, Eagles coach Rich Kotite said.
"He'll be fine for the game," Kotite said. "He had two tough days in practice (Wednesday and Thursday), and we just backed him off slightly, which was anticipated in the beginning of the week."
Tomorrow, Mark McMillian will start at left corner, where Smith started prior to his injury in 1991.
"Hopefully, (Smith will) be able to participate in the nickel," Kottie said.
The Eagles deactivated four players last night, but Kotite said he would not announce the names until today, after he had told them. Waters is sure to be on the list.
Three more players must be deactivated by 11:45 a.m. tomorrow, bringing the
roster for the game down to 45 players, plus a third quarterback (Preston Jones).
Beleaguered safety Erik McMillan got a visit from his agent, Brigg Owens, who came up from Washington in the morning to attend practice and see his client.
