"Matt Birk's itinerary speaks to his life's work and current cause, his worries and aspirations.

Birk, the Cretin-Derham Hall alum and former Vikings star, just packed his belongings in Maryland and shipped them to Minnesota. He is traveling to Indianapolis for the weekend, which was his goal all along. But instead of playing center for the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, he will, for the second time, attend the game as a candidate for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, given to the player who best combines good works and excellent play.

When he returns to Baltimore, Birk will drive an RV filled with his wife, six kids and family dog to Florida, where he will contemplate retirement.

This is his life in brief: Grand achievement and temporary disappointment, action and reflection, Minnesota ties and family bonds.

"I need to get down to Florida and figure out what the heck we're supposed to do," Birk said. "The Ravens want to know, and I don't want to hang them out to dry. But we need time to think.""