How that feel: you watch in wonder. You watch and wonder. What's it like to get hit in the eye with a puck? Almost throw a perfect game ? Be a long snapper?

Sporting News, The, July 12, 2004

I plan on wearing a visor in the future, definitely. I have an eye injury now. I can't really afford another one. I wish that I'd had one on before, but I'd gone pretty much my entire career without an eye injury.

My wife and children were at the game. Fortunately, the kids didn't really see the play. They weren't sure about what happened. They knew I was hurt. My wife was pretty upset, but I was able to see her after the game and the concern became the cheekbone--and that's not a big deal. Once I was able to spend a few minutes with her, she was OK.--Albert Dickson

... to get bitten by a spider, man?

By Greg Brooks Bengals rookie cornerback

They call me Spiderman. That's because I was bitten by a spider. Twice.

The first time was in my dorm last August, during two-a-days at Southern Miss. I got bitten on my leg. Then this past February, when I was in Los Angeles training for the NFL Scouting Combine, I got bitten on my hip. It started out as a bad bruise and then it started eating away my skin. It was more painful than the first bite and it made a bigger hole. It was about the size of a quarter. It was real, real deep.

By the time I got to Indianapolis for the Combine, four days later, I was a mess. I did the Cybex test for flexibility and joint movement and gave some blood. Then I started feeling a little funny. I showed some of the NFL people where I had been bitten, and by then it was a sight to see. I could hardly lift my leg. That's when they decided to take me to the hospital. In the emergency room, they took an MRI. The doctor started digging in it and it really got sore.

I mostly stayed in my hotel bed the next two days. I visited with some teams and took the Wonderlic test, but I couldn't run or do any of the drills. It took about a week after the Combine for it to totally heal.

I was disappointed I didn't get a chance to work out for all the teams at the Combine, because I knew there wouldn't be that many scouts and coaches at our pro day in Hattiesburg. I think that hurt my stock in the draft. I wasn't taken until midway through the sixth round, when the Bengals picked me.

I hope they don't have spiders in Ohio. If they do, I'm in trouble.--Dennis Dillon

... to be drafted No. 2?

By Eric Staal Hurricanes center, the second overall pick in the 2003 NHL draft

I didn't really know what to expect at the start of the draft. When I was sitting up in the crowd and looking out onto the floor to see all the people--Wayne Gretzky at the Phoenix table, lots of guys like that who you've seen growing up--seeing them in front of your face is pretty neat. But being there and hearing your name called and being able to go up on stage is really special.

I wasn't disappointed about not being the No. 1 pick. I think for any kid who gets drafted, it doesn't really matter how high. I was just excited to be picked, and I was happy for Marc-Andre Fleury, who went first, and Nathan Horton, who went third. They are the guys I know. It was exciting for all of us.

What stands out most is when I went up on stage and put on that jersey. I shook (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman's hand, and he said, "Welcome to the NHL." I thought that was pretty cool. I know he says that to everyone who goes up there, but just hearing those words was something special to me. I'm going to remember and cherish that moment for the rest of my life.--Kara Yorio