Playing linebacker is never thought of as a safe hobby, but it pales in comparison to something like . . . surfing?
Take it from College of New Jersey junior Doug Nagle, who does both.
In the fall, Nagle spends his time as an inside linebacker for the Lions. He led the team in tackles last year and is doing so again this season. During the spring and summer, the Longport native waxes up his board to surf the beaches of Hawaii, Costa Rica, and even Ireland.
"Hawaii was insane," Nagle said. "I'd like to make some kind of comparison to football, but I can't. This was like life or death, and even that doesn't happen on a football field. The whole crunch of the reef is pretty insane. You wipe out and you're underwater for like, 30 seconds.
"It's not that bad when it's happening. It's all part of the fun. I actually think about it more when we do our conditioning. I know that I'm gasping for breath, but at least I have air to breathe."
Lions coach Eric Hamilton says Nagle is a breath of fresh air when it comes to being a football player.
"He's pretty intense, no question about it," Hamilton said, "but there are other things he does, which makes you wonder what he's doing as a linebacker."
Once he's on the field, it's not hard to figure out. Last season, when Washington Township graduate Aldo Bartra got injured against Rowan in the season's third game, Nagle became the starter. He went on to lead CNJ with 75 tackles, include a team-high 25 unassisted, and 12 for losses that totaled 35 yards.
After two games this year, Nagle leads the 1-1 Lions with 13 tackles and is tied with Brian Gibson for the team lead with 10 solo.
Not bad for a guy who did not step on the field until his freshman year at Holy Spirit High School.
"I never got a chance to play Pop Warner because I was overweight," Nagle said. "I went out as a 12- or 13-year-old and couldn't even make the weight for varsity. I was kind of a chunker, I guess.
"It's funny. I was really into playing, but after that one year, I went out and they said, 'Lose some weight,' I was over it. I really didn't care. I wasn't interested in it at that point in my life, but I always knew I'd play in high school. My father was a good guide where that was concerned."
