There's a song I like to listen to by Bruce Springsteen called "Glory Days."  It's about people who believe their best days are behind them. That includes those days back in high school playing sports. That song rings true for a lot of people. But it does not ring true for members of the Erie Express Football Team.

These guys played football in high school and college. Their gridiron glory days are continuing with the Erie Express. This is amateur adult football. The Express is one of sixteen teams in the Tri-Point Football League. Just about all of the players have full-time jobs Monday through Friday. Offensive lineman Todd Russell works as a products support engineer at Wabtec. He played high school ball at Erie Central. He played college ball at Clarion. Why keep doing it with the Erie Express?

"I missed the camaraderie, the friendships that you build when you're playing any sport. I've played all types of sports growing up. It's just something to go out there and battle with your friends," says Todd.

Those Erie Express friends include wide receiver Nas Singleton who works at Perseus House, linebacker Cam Sanders who works at Curtze Foods, linebacker Ashton Jones who works at PNC Bank, wide receiver Terrell Jackson who works at Booker T. Washington Center, and offensive lineman Devonne Barnes who works at Warner Theater. Some guys go into coaching or just play flag football to satisfy their passion for football if they don't make it to the pros. Not these guys.

"Sometimes that doesn't scratch the urge though," says Todd. "You can't tackle or really push people around."

There are sacrifices. The Erie Express team members play for no pay. They play because they love the game. Saturday is a day off work but the players spend almost all of it with their teammates instead of their families. And, there's always the chance of injury.  However, the Express knows success. The team won a league championship two seasons ago.  They did not lose one game.  The Express finished the 2024 regular season in second place and are again in the playoffs with hopes for another championship.  This Erie team is good.

"Being the Number 2 seed, you're pretty much favored in most games," explains Todd. "But you still have to go out and play the game. That's the fun of the sport."

The first playoff game for the Erie Express is Saturday, August 3 at Veterans Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.  If the Express is victorious, their next playoff game will also be in Erie at the Cathedral Prep Athletic Complex.