They're in awe of who you are. They want to be just like you when they grow up. You try to impress them because they are so devoted. The game itself, you find, gets a bit easier, more predictable. Plays fizzle that used to work.
Hits take longer to recover from.
You look at the clock and realize that time is running out. You're in the fourth quarter. Making it to the next yard line is harder and harder. You're not even sure you want to score anymore. But there's no going back.