Now, he?s attempting to play professional football, six years after the last time he strapped on a helmet and shoulder pads. He made the training camp roster for the Baltimore Blackbirds, the new American Indoor Football Association team that will play at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore.

Until recently, playing football was an itch that Parrish, 30, didn?t know needed to be scratched. After a strong senior season at Wake Forest ? he had two interceptions and was second on the team in tackles (69) as a defensive back ? he graduated in 2000 and tucked away his professional football dreams after being cut by a Canadian Football League team. He watched as other players like himself played various forms of pro ball in hopes of making the NFL.

NFL Europe appealed less to him than chasing receivers on American soil. While many family and friends wanted Parrish to keep pursuing the pros, he began planning for the future. He had his degree in history and earned a master?s in education and built his family.

“The longer you prolong your football career, the longer you prolong the start of your life,” Parrish said. “When you?re growing up, it?s not a business. It?s not like that when you get out of school. There?s money involved; there?s politics involved. I was like, ?I?m tired of it.?”

Parrish quickly fell in love with coaching. Returning first to coach at Howard, he then went to Wilde Lake as an assistant, and in 2004, he got his shot as a head coach at DuVal High School in Lanham. After two years there, he moved to Wise, where he guided an inexperienced squad to a 2-8 record in the talent-deep Prince George?s County Class 4A.

When the Blackbirds announced tryout opportunities last month, Parrish?s desire to play came flooding back. When he stepped on the practice field, he felt at home again.

“It was funny ? it came back a lot faster than I thought it would,” Parrish said. “I don?t believe I?ve lost a lot of steps, so to say. I still feel young because I haven?t been hit in six years.”

The Blackbirds, whose first game against the Reading (Pa.) Express is March 10, are supposed to make final cuts next Thursday.

“DaLawn is very coachable,” Blackbirds coach Chris Simpson said. “He has outstanding speed, quickness and strength at the DB position. I like his intensity.”

Parrish believes his coaching experience has informed his performance on the field. A player who once relied too much on athleticism and physical aggression now says he?s patient.

He is committed to coaching and teaching while relishing this last dalliance as a player.

“I?m going to give you 110 percent,” he said. “I?m still doing what I love. I love coaching.”