KIRKLAND -- He could have learned to play tennis.

He could have joined a Jack and Jill softball team. Weight lifting was an option and so was basketball, golf, racquetball, checkers and badminton. Or if he was really desperate, he could have tried Taebo.

But Rick Nordeck, a 45-year-old surgical assistant, decided to play football.

Say what?

Nordeck is a defensive end for a semi-professional football team, the Eastside Chiefs. The Chiefs are part of the Northwest Football League, a non-profit organization that gives ex-high school and college players -- and even 45-year-old men -- a chance to recapture their youth by playing football.

``I'm a 45-year-old rookie,'' said Nordeck, who just started his first football game after a 27 year hiatus. ``I just love the game, but hadn't had the opportunity to play.''

Nordeck is just one of the many Chief players who play in this obscure, yet vibrant football league that is filled with unique players who refuse to quit the game they love.

The Chiefs have been around since 1924 but were known as the Renton Arrows. Over the years, the team changed its name to the Chiefs. But in 1996, the Chiefs decided to move up the road to Kirkland and make the Eastside their home.

But minor league football remains relatively unknown on the Eastside, something Chiefs head coach Michael Stuart would like to change.

``We tried for many years to let not only fans know, but players know that there's a place where you can play as long as you show up,'' said Stuart who has coached the Chiefs for five years.

The Chiefs, who list 44 players on their roster, have grown a little each year. The team is made up of an assortment of men from a variety of backgrounds. From lawyers and bankers to construction workers and at-home fathers, all the players live very different lives, but are drawn together by football.

``We all have football in common,'' said Josh Creel, a 31-year-old linebacker who played at a small college in North Carolina.

But don't let the title of semi-pro football fool you. None of the players receives money, traveling accommodations or even equipment from the organization. In fact, each player pays $165 to participate. Many young players hesitate to play because they think they will lose their amateur status, Stuart said.

``We advertise this as a developmental league,'' Stuart said. ``In no way do these guys receive any money. They are strictly amateurs.''

In a sport that is physically taxing and hard on the body, it seems strange that these men would spend so much time and money just to play football.

``I'm gunna play until my knees give out or the doctor says I can't,'' said Sheadrah Manning, the Chiefs' fourth-year running back.

Manning played running back at Roosevelt High in 1988 and then played a year at Western Washington University until he was stabbed in the arm at a party. He sustained nerve damage from the wound, forcing him to quit.

Four years ago, Manning's son challenged him to play football again. Manning, who weighed 280 pounds at the time, decided to give it a shot.

``I took it personally,'' Manning said. ``I dropped about 50 pounds and came out. I do this to satisfy those things on the inside of me that still drive me.''

After two games this season, Manning is second on the team in rushing with 104 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

``It's a big step,'' Richard said. ``The guys are bigger, faster, but you just have to expect more out of yourself. I've been a ballboy (for the Chiefs) since I was little so when I turned 18 I figured it was time.''

The Chiefs' season comes at a convenient time for Richard. The season runs from early June and concludes in late August, not interfering with school. Other players, however, have to go to great lengths to keep their football dreams alive.

First-year player Jared Rosentreter drives 130 miles twice a week from Wenatchee to play with the Chiefs. Rosentreter, 31, played defensive end at Wenatchee Valley Community College for two years and then wound up his career at WWU in 1993.

Although the commute is long and expensive, Rosentreter decided to play again only after his wife and child approved. He sees football as an opportunity to stay in shape and do something that he loves.

``It's a chance to get out and play some football,'' Rosentreter said. ``A lot of guys here are in the same situation where they played in college but now they're done and still want to play.''

Rosentreter and his teammates got an opportunity to resurrect their football memories in the Chiefs' home opener last Saturday. On a hot afternoon, the Chiefs took the field against the Bellingham Eagles at Mac Field.

``I got real nervous this morning,'' said Nordeck as he finished taping his wrists. ``I've got all my family and 15 friends from work coming to watch. I just hope I don't screw up.''

Like every game, Stuart announced the starting lineup as a small crowd trickled into the stadium. After the finally found volunteers to run the chains, the game got under way.

The Chiefs opened the game by sacking the Bellingham quarterback Eric Franklin on the 1-yard line. After forcing Bellingham to punt, the Chiefs scored first on a Jason Skahan field goal.

The game went back and forth with the Eagles jumping out to a 14-3 lead. That would be enough as Bellingham held on to win 14-6, dropping the Chiefs to 0-2 on the season.

Despite the loss, the men matriculated to their friends and family after the game. The rug burns on their a arms and the smiles on their faces made it obvious that they have enjoyed themselves.

``We're not out here to kill each other,'' Manning said. ``We're out here because we can still do it.

``For all the ills that the world causes, for all the pain I go through during the week, this is my outlet.''

It was also apparent that the game had different effects on the players than it did when they were younger.

``I don't remember that it was this physical,'' Rosentreter said as he grimaced.

``I feel pretty good,'' Nordeck said. ``I think I'm a better player now than I was before.''

As the sun set in the distance and the players left the locker room with bumps and bruises scoured all over their body, they took in the moment.

``It's just been a pleasure to find out that it's just as much fun now as it was then,'' Nordeck said. ``I'm just thankful I can still play.''