Who would have thought that a day would make such a difference?
In a previous life, No. 33 was the \king"" of Saturdays. For four years, he built a name, reputation and program through his play on Saturdays. When he left, he did so as one of the best ever, with more than 7,000 reasons to prove it.
Three-and-a-half years later, No. 33 is now No. 27, and his team plays on Sundays. Rather, they play, No. 27 doesn't. He is no longer king; he was banished from the castle long ago.
""I'm not going to lie to you, I'm really starting to lose my love for the game,"" No. 27 said in a recent interview with Giants Insider.
Words sad for anyone who witnessed him when he played on Saturdays.
Back then, he looked too big to be graceful. One would think him the type to let his bulk do the work, and ignore the more subtle, but beautiful side of the game. That thought vanished as soon as you saw him run.
In his finest hour, against a power from the west, No. 33 captivated the nation with his strength and grace and seemed to run forever ... stopping for no one or nothing ... until they'd finally won.
Almost four years to the day after his greatest triumph, against another power from the west, No. 27 didn't run at all. He didn't play. He sat very still on the bench and watched his team lose; forgotten again on Sunday.
Last fall, No. 27 returned to the place where he ran and created so many memories for himself and countless others. It was hard for everyone present to grasp the fact that No. 33--as he is still known in that place--no longer plays.
It didn't seem that long ago that they celebrated with him when his name became forever emblazoned on the place.
Someone announced his return, and for just a brief moment, it seemed like nothing had changed. No. 33 was there, it was Saturday and they would win, because he would run. Only, he didn't.
He watched, because he is No. 27.
Will No. 27 remain forgotten on Sundays? Not without a fight.
""It would definitely be better for me if they let me go somewhere,"" he said in the same interview.
""Just trade me and get something for me they'll want and use. That way I'll be happy and they'll be happy.""
So will we, Ron.
