The smell of dew on the morning grass still bothers Keith Van Horne. It brings him back to Platteville, Wisconsin, where he would lie on a wet field, stretch and dread the first of two brutal training camp practices.



Ahead, there would be a nutcracker drill and run game work. Full pads, and lots of hitting. It would get hot, maybe 100 degrees. And players might go down. IVs might be necessary. And regardless, there would be sprints after practice.



There would be another two practices the next day. And another the day after, and the day after. On and on for a month or so. On and on for 13 training camps.



There would be heavy lifting too, mostly powerlifting movements like squats, deadlifts, power cleans and bench presses.



It’s what had to be done to be ready to block the likes of Reggie White, Charles Mann and Howie Long. It’s what had to be done to survive.



Surviving is something Van Horne did...