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Former Sun Devils, Wildcats return to familiar territory to chase NFL dreams

Will Sutton, Rick Neuheisel, Robert Nelson and Scott Brubaker talk during the Arizona Hotshots media day at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Mark Henle, The Republic

Robert Nelson's body ached, ached for pain.

After being released from the New Orleans Saints in September, his seventh NFL stop in three years, the former Arizona State defensive back was facing the harsh realities of a fall without football, his first in 20 years.

With an itch for hits that needed scratched, Nelson put on his helmet and pads and found a nearby football field.