I knew the play. I practiced the play. But I didn't understand the play. And it cost us everything.

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I could always throw a football, which made me a quarterback. That led to the best play of my career, immediately followed by my most embarrassing.

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Our team was down, needing to drive 65 yards for a touchdown. Despite having a future NFL running back in our backfield, my coaches trusted my arm. And I almost delivered.

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I launched a pass that people tell me traveled 50 yards in the air. I wouldn't know. I was flat on my back after taking a hit as I threw it. But we were suddenly on their 5-yard line, with time for one final play.

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My coaches trusted my arm again. They just didn't account for my brain.

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The play was Blue 31. A play-action fake, rolling left before making a short throw. I knew the play. I'd practiced it countless times. But I'd never asked why it was called Blue 31.

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As I learned later, "Blue" meant nothing. The number was everything. Odd numbers meant roll left; even numbers meant roll right.

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With the adrenaline pumping and the game on the line, I reacted instead of thinking. I rolled the wrong way.

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Apparently, the receiver was wide open, and a touchdown was there for the taking. Once again, I couldn't tell you. I was on my back — only this time, I still had the football.

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The clock expired, and my teammates were left wondering how I'd managed to mess up the easiest play in our offense.

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I'll never know what would have happened if I'd rolled the correct way. But I know what that moment taught me: Knowing HOW to do something isn't always enough. You need to understand WHY.

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That mistake changed how I approached football, coaching, and ultimately life. It's also part of the journey that led to my Legacy Maker documentary.

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Watch my Legacy Maker documentary to hear the rest of my story and discover how understanding the HOW and WHY can change the way you approach the game — and your own life.