Now THIS has been a long day! In case you didn’t know, my Penn State-bound son Jordan was selected to play in this year’s “Big 33″ Game, an nationally-televised football game between the best 33 players in Pennsylvania vs. the best 33 players in Ohio.

Today, Jordan had his first practice with the team, which was held at – of all places – Penn State…we had to be there by 9:00 AM, so of course we’ve all been running since 4:30 AM.

I have to say that today – for the first time –  I realized the magnitude of this game and what it means not only to Jordan’s football career, but to his development as a young man as well.

He’ll spend an entire week in Hershey, PA with a host-family that will transport him back and forth to practices, as well as doing his laundry and keeping an eye on him for the week. He’ll meet with the media, have photo sessions, and even autograph sessions. On the Friday night before the game, he and his team mates will take the stage at banquet in front of 1,500 families, sponsors, and fans…and on Saturday night, play in front of a nationally-televised audience as well as the 15,000 fans at Hershey Park Stadium.

But that’s nothing…compared to the chance to change a child’s life: check this out -